A Man Called Horse (1970)
In 1970, while making A Man Called Horse, I’m sure everyone involved didn’t know it would spawn two sequels and become a classic. I’m also sure they didn’t know the similarly themed Little Big Man would be released during the same year. Although Dustin Hoffman’s time with Native Americans was riddled with humor, Richard Harris’s journey is entirely dramatic. If you want to laugh, don’t rent this one. In fact, I actually had to look away during a couple of scenes because they were too gruesome.
In one gross scene, Richard indoctrinates himself into the Native American culture by hanging from the top of a tepee with animal talons piercing through his chest. Why does he do this? Because he wants to go to bed with Corinna Tsopei and can only do so by joining the Sioux community. Boy, I hope she was worth it.
But back to the main (and true) story. Richard starts off as a proper Englishman shooting game with his valet in the country. His hunting party is ambushed by Sioux Indians, and all are killed. Why is he spared? Because he decided to take off all his clothes and swim in the river. That’s right, folks: Professor Dumbledore skinny-dipped in 1970 in full view of a camera. If you’re a kid of the 1990s and you only think of Richard Harris as Hogwarts’s headmaster, this movie will change everything for you. You don’t have to watch it if you don’t like violence, or if you’d rather not see him in all his youthful glory; but I’ll never watch Harry Potter the same way again. There are many movies in the 1960s and ’70s that can show you the acting talents of Richard Harris, and there are also many movies that can show you his other talents. For both, watch A Man Called Horse.
Because he wasn’t nearby during the ambush, and because he had unique, blond hair, the Indians capture him and bring him back to the village. He’s enslaved and treated like an animal, kicked, prodded with sticks, tied to a post and given scraps to eat, until finally he loses his temper and shows he’s a man who deserves respect. After that, he slowly gets to know the culture and lifestyle, the good and the bad. In a pretty tragic scene, a widow is kicked out into the cold, snowy night because she has no man to protect her. No one comes to her aid, because that’s just the way of the Sioux.
A Man Called Horse is a like-it-or-lump-it type of movie. Some might find it depressing and gruesome, and some might find it beautiful that a “civilized” man learns to appreciate a simpler kind of life. Rule of thumb: if you like Dances with Wolves, you’ll like this extremely similar drama. I would definitely watch it again, especially since I would know when to look away. Admittedly, my motive would have nothing to do with culture or the simple life. If the Sioux Indians don’t deem a man worthy of being allowed to wear clothes while he’s a prisoner, I feel it’s only respectful to watch every minute of it.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During the "hanging from the tepee" scene, the camera spins around a bit and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "ASA Movie Craze" for posting!
More Richard Harris movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1976's The Return of a Man Called Horse here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1983's Triumphs of a Man Called Horse here!
In one gross scene, Richard indoctrinates himself into the Native American culture by hanging from the top of a tepee with animal talons piercing through his chest. Why does he do this? Because he wants to go to bed with Corinna Tsopei and can only do so by joining the Sioux community. Boy, I hope she was worth it.
But back to the main (and true) story. Richard starts off as a proper Englishman shooting game with his valet in the country. His hunting party is ambushed by Sioux Indians, and all are killed. Why is he spared? Because he decided to take off all his clothes and swim in the river. That’s right, folks: Professor Dumbledore skinny-dipped in 1970 in full view of a camera. If you’re a kid of the 1990s and you only think of Richard Harris as Hogwarts’s headmaster, this movie will change everything for you. You don’t have to watch it if you don’t like violence, or if you’d rather not see him in all his youthful glory; but I’ll never watch Harry Potter the same way again. There are many movies in the 1960s and ’70s that can show you the acting talents of Richard Harris, and there are also many movies that can show you his other talents. For both, watch A Man Called Horse.
Because he wasn’t nearby during the ambush, and because he had unique, blond hair, the Indians capture him and bring him back to the village. He’s enslaved and treated like an animal, kicked, prodded with sticks, tied to a post and given scraps to eat, until finally he loses his temper and shows he’s a man who deserves respect. After that, he slowly gets to know the culture and lifestyle, the good and the bad. In a pretty tragic scene, a widow is kicked out into the cold, snowy night because she has no man to protect her. No one comes to her aid, because that’s just the way of the Sioux.
A Man Called Horse is a like-it-or-lump-it type of movie. Some might find it depressing and gruesome, and some might find it beautiful that a “civilized” man learns to appreciate a simpler kind of life. Rule of thumb: if you like Dances with Wolves, you’ll like this extremely similar drama. I would definitely watch it again, especially since I would know when to look away. Admittedly, my motive would have nothing to do with culture or the simple life. If the Sioux Indians don’t deem a man worthy of being allowed to wear clothes while he’s a prisoner, I feel it’s only respectful to watch every minute of it.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During the "hanging from the tepee" scene, the camera spins around a bit and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "ASA Movie Craze" for posting!
More Richard Harris movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1976's The Return of a Man Called Horse here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1983's Triumphs of a Man Called Horse here!