When an expedition of early 1800s fur trappers in the American Northwest encounters a bear while hunting, their scout, Zach (Richard Harris), is mauled. Although Zach's wounds are treated by the medic, the leader of the troop, Henry (John Huston), believes he will die and orders the troop to continue on while Zach is left behind. But Henry has underestimated Zach's will to live -- he survives and manages to regain his strength, in order to track the troop and exact revenge.