Man Vs Wild

Season 1 Limited Edition Steel Book

Magna Home Entertainment

R4 DVD

Bear Grylls has become quite a phenomena mixing informative educational content with high action entertainment. His first series had 15 episodes and set the stage for his skyrocketing success with a further six seasons thus far and no sign of the series ending soon. His experience as a foreign legion soldier, mountaineer and adventurer mixed with the ability to entertain has made this one of the most successful series of its type.

Grylls mixes together a unique range of elements to make a show which is compelling viewing for both the teen and adult audience. The mixture of wild and untamed locations which come with breathtaking views and amazing environmental photography mixed with the adrenaline pumping risk of getting there begins most episodes. Grylls then tackles “survival style” living in these environments while at the same time offering suggestions, hints and some skills in survival. One of the more visceral aspects of the series is the “yuck” factor (which, of course, kids love), there is where Grylls eats all manner of disgusting food to survive. This element adds an extra punch to the series, it is often fun, usually a bit revolting but always fascinating. By bringing together all these elements with lots of bravado Bear Grylls has created a unique niche all of his own.

There has as the series developed been criticism that all his resourcefulness is not “real” and that he spends nights in motels. I think this criticism is misplaced at it misunderstands the new medium of “edutainment”. Grylls brings together the best techniques used in films to create an “experience”, whether this is actually in full real time is irrelevant. Every TV program is edited from a gameshow to a news broadcast and the success of the series is its ability to communicate. The sheer number of people who watch Man Vs Wild tells you what most people think of it. Grylls was the youngest person to reach the summit of Mount Everest at the age of 23 so I don’t think you can question his skills or fitness ! Men want to look like him and boys want to be him, he inspires and entertains.

Man Vs Wild, however, is more than just bravado or entertainment. There are a large number of people who become lost and die in the wilderness each year, so often this is because they are either not prepared or do not know how to survive. Man Vs Wild uses unusual situations, sometimes exaggerated, which stick in the mind and hence may have a lifesaving influence if someone finds themselves lost. Hints on water, food, environment, weather, direction, protection from the elements, all are covered in an interesting manner. While this approach may be different from “old school” forms of documentary making, it does have a high success rate with teens and youngsters. Bear Grylls has become somewhat of a celebrity with young male teens and if this role teaches them a little about how to survive in nature while entertaining them then he had done a good job.

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