A Man Called Horse **** (1970, Richard Harris, Judith Anderson, Jean Gascon, Manu Tupou) – Classic Movie Review 7033

Director Elliot Silverstein’s 1970 movie A Man Called Horse is a stirring, ambitious adult Western with convincing performances from Richard Harris, Manu Tupou as the Indian chief Yellow Hand, and Judith Anderson as his noble mother, Buffalo Cow Head.

Harris stars as aristocratic Englishman John Morgan, who is hunting in Dakota in the 1820s, when he is seized by the Sioux. So, while he lives with the Native Americans, he begins to understand their way of life. In time, he is accepted as a member of the tribe and even aspires to be their leader. Finally, he consents to undergo the masochistic ritual of the Sun Vow and is converted to their way of life.

Jack DeWitt’s well-crafted screenplay, based on a story by Dorothy M Johnson, boasts authentic Sioux dialogue, and the movie is strongly handled by Silverstein and bashed home with powerful second unit direction (by Yakima Canutt) and a strong score by Leonard Rosenman and Lloyd One Star.

Made at a time when the Western, in its final flurry of activity, was redefining itself with The Wild Bunch, Soldier Blue and Little Big Man, A Man Called Horse was a big hit. And, of course, it points the way to Dances With Wolves.

Also in the cast are Jean Gascon, Dub Taylor, Corinna Tsopei, James Gammon, William Jordan, Eddie Little Sky, Michael Baseleon, Lina Marin, Tamara Garina, Terry Leonard, Iron Eyes Cody and Tom Tyon.

Harris wore a prosthetic chest created by make-up artist John Chambers.

A Man Called Horse is directed by Elliot Silverstein, runs 114 minutes, is made by Cinema Center Films and Sandy Howard Productions, is released by National General, is written by Jack DeWitt, based on a story by Dorothy M Johnson, is shot in Technicolor by Robert B Hauser and Gabriel Torres, is produced by Sandford Howard, and is scored by Leonard Rosenman and Lloyd One Star.

Two sequels followed: Return of a Man Called Horse and Triumphs of a Man Called Horse.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7033

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