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Revision as of 00:58, 2 July 2007 by FT2 (talk | contribs) (update plot a bit more)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) 1970 film| A Man Called Horse | |
|---|---|
| File:Man called horse.jpgoriginal film poster | |
| Directed by | Elliot Silverstein |
| Written by | Jack DeWitt Dorothy M. Johnson |
| Produced by | Frank Brill Sandy Howard |
| Starring | Richard Harris Judith Anderson |
| Cinematography | Robert Hauser Gabriel Torres |
| Music by | Leonard Rosenman Lloyd One Star |
| Distributed by | National General Pictures |
| Release date | 28 April 1970 |
| Running time | 114 min. |
| Country |  United States |
| Languages | English, Sioux |
A Man Called Horse is a 1970 feature film starring Richard Harris and directed by Elliot Silverstein.
The film is based on a short story, "A Man Called Horse", published in 1968 in the book Indian Country by Dorothy M. Johnson. Partially spoken in Sioux, the film tells the history of an English aristocrat who is captured by a Native American tribe.
Initially enslaved and treated as a plaything by the tribe and mocked by being treated as the animal of the film title initially, he comes to respect his captors' culture and also to gain their respect. He is assisted in understanding their culture and language by an existing captive, the tribe's fool, Baptiste, who had tried to escape in the past and was hamstrung behind both knees.
Determining that his only chance of eventual freedom is to gain the respect of the tribe and join its war parties, he overcomes his repugnance and kills two warriors from another tribe, which in turn allows him to claim warrior status. In the aftermath of his victory, he proposes marriage to one of the tribal daughters with the horses as dowry, and undergoes painful initiation rites, taking the native name "Horse" as his Sioux name, and becomes a respected member of the tribe and ultimately following attack, their leader.
Two sequels to the original movie were made, both with Harris reprising his role:
Representation of cultures
The film notably treats both sides dispassionately, viewing neither from the view of the white man, nor the native American Indian tribe, but from a viewpoint encompassing both cultures; its representation of tribal practices and rituals (including the Sun Dance) is described as being based upon historical records.
Cast
- Richard Harris ... John Morgan
- Judith Anderson ... Buffalo Cow Head
- Jean Gascon ... Batise
- Manu Tupou ... Yellow Hand
- Corinna Tsopei ... Running Deer
- Dub Taylor ... Joe
- James Gammon ... Ed
- William Jordan ... Bent
- Eddie Little Sky ... Black Eagle
- Michael Baseleon ... Longfoot
- Lina Marín ... Thorn Rose
- Tamara Garina ... Elk Woman
- Terry Leonard ... Striking Bear
- Iron Eyes Cody ... Medicine man
- Tom Tyon ... Medicine man
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