Hugh Glass really did survive a bear mauling

This is the one of the most traumatizing movie scenes that I’ve seen in a while, and the whole thing just seems far fetched. What dude can take on a 500lb bear and survive. This guy, apparently.

Glass was a part of a trade expedition in 1823, and he did come across a mother grizzly and her cubs, and got attacked. In the film, he played possum, shot the bear, fought it again, then used his hunting knife. In reality, there’s some debate on whether or not he finished off the bear himself, or if his hunting party helped him out.

Either way, a broken leg, ripped scalp, a punctured throat and many gashes are the outcome. As well as being left behind and having to crawl to safety.