Guardian of the Wilderness

"The exciting true story of one man's courageous struggle to save America's greatest natural wonders."

Dec 1 1976 G 1h 52m
Adventure, Western

In 1861, miner Galen Clark (Denver Pyle) learns he has consumption and decides to travel west in his final months. During the journey, he meets naturalist John Muir (John Dehner), who encourages him to live. Along with Native American Teneiya (Don Shanks), Galen builds a cabin and settles with his daughter, Kathleen (Cheryl Miller). When loggers threaten to destroy their community and the forest, Galen joins forces with Muir and Teneiya to advocate for the area's preservation as Yosemite Park.

Plot

Based on the life of Galen Clark, whose determined efforts led to the creation of Yosemite National Park. When he is diagnosed with terminal tuberculosis, and disappointed that he hasn't accomplished anything significant with his life, Clark decides to vanish into the California mountains to die. But after surviving a series of perilous misadventures, including a heartening encounter with famed explorer John Muir, he regains his spirit. Newly inspired, he launches a courageous battle against the aggressive lumber companies threatening to cut down the rare and precious forest of giant Sequoias. His fight to save the wilderness takes him first to Sacramento, and then Washington, D.C. where he convinces President Abraham Lincoln to declare Yosemite the first public land grant, paving the way for creation of the National Park System.

Written by

David O'Malley, Karen C. O'Malley, Charles E. Sellier Jr.

Directed by

David O'Malley

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Sunn Classic Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
130
Average Rating
7.4 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA