(1970) 3 Craig Butler A film that seems to have provided some inspiration for Dances with Wolves, A Man Called Horse has dated somewhat over the years but is still noteworthy for the exceptionally powerful performance that is at its center. As the titular character, Richard Harris gives a performance that is startling in its intensity and clarity. It's true that some of the peculiarities -- some might call them mannerisms -- that are part of the actor's individual style are still present, including a tendency to go from very quiet to very loud with no stops in between. But most of these characteristics are kept in tight control, and even when used, they are in service to the character and the script. More importantly, Harris truly lives the character that he is playing, making quite real, believable, and moving every moment of his journey. It's an extraordinary piece of acting, and it is the glue that holds Horse together. Despite Harris, many may find Horse rough going, not the least because of its sometimes graphic nature -- particularly in the Sun Vow Initiation section, which is extremely painful yet undeniably powerful. Some may also find that Horse doesn't always succeed at what it sets out to do, which is to present a man assimilating into another culture, but to do so without passing judgment on either culture. It's a noble attempt, but it doesn't quite work, possibly because a film of this sort almost has to favor the character who is "outside" the culture. Still, it doesn't help that the Indian characters are not as fleshed out as they might be; this is especially true of the woman Horse takes as a wife, who seems to exist solely as a romantic creature with no other dimension. Things are not helped by dialogue in a native tongue that is not translated for much of the film. This adds to the "alienated" feeling, but it also makes the characters less comprehensible to the audience. Finally, some viewers will find the unfortunate "psychedelic" moments entirely too dated and distracting. But despite its flaws, A Man Called Horse is a gripping movie that features an unforgettable star turn.

cast-crew for A Man Called Horse on AllMovie

A Man Called Horse (1970)

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A Man Called Horse

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flags

Violence
Graphic Violence
Not For Children

genres

Western

sub-genres

Adventure Drama

category

Feature

directed by

Elliot Silverstein

countries

USA

released

1970

run time

114 min.

produced by

National General Pictures, United Artists

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cast

Richard Harris: John Morgan

Judith Anderson: Buffalo Cow Head

Jean Gascon: Batise

Manu Tupou: Yellow Hand

Corinna Tsopei: Running Deer

Dub Taylor: Joe, White Hunter

William Jordan: Bent

Edward Little Sky: Black Eagle

Lina Marin: Thorn Rose

Tamara Garina: Elk Woman

Michael Baseleon: He-Wolf

Manuel Padilla: Leaping Buck

Iron Eyes Cody: Medicine Man, who performed Sun Vow Ritual

Terry J. Leonard: Striking Bear

Frank Raiter: Warrior

Stanford Howard

James Gammon: Ed

Sioux Indians of Rosebud Reservation

crew

Elliot Silverstein: Director
Sandy Howard: Producer
Jack de Witt: Screenwriter
Robert B. Hauser: Cinematographer
Leonard Rosenman: Composer (Music Score)
Gene Fowler, Jr.: Editor
Philip W. Anderson: Editor
Dennis Lynton Clark: Production Designer
Phil Barber: Art Director
Eddie Marks: Costume Designer
Jack Martell: Costume Designer
Richard La Motte: Costume Designer
Ted Parvin: Costume Designer
Frederico Farfan: Special Effects
Tim Smyth: Special Effects
Lynn H. Guthrie: First Assistant Director
Terry Morse, Jr.: First Assistant Director
Terry J. Leonard: Stunts
Dorothy M. Johnson: Short Story Author
Frank Griffin: Makeup
Richard Cobos: Makeup
Yakima Canutt: Second Unit Director