Good post Rugged Hunter.
Les Stroud and his wife lived alone in the wild for one year, years before his 'Survivorman days'. They lived very primitive like they were living in the stone age (don't remember what time frame).
I feel Ed failed himself....he had ample supplies, gear, and some general knowledge I think he just lacked the heart or will to live. Who knows, he may have pushed on and made it but the push button saftey net was an easy out.
The movie you are talking about was about a man named Dick Proenneke, its called Alone in the Wilderness.
It is a great movie, there are two others about him and a book.
I have them and the book, I think my wife bought them from Amazon.com. Google search it, you'll find it. It was put together by a guy named Bob Swerer.