Little Big Man (1970)

Jack Crabb, looking back from extreme old age, tells of his life being raised by Indians and fighting with General Custer.

Director:

Arthur Penn

Writers:

Thomas Berger (novel), Calder Willingham (screenplay)

Stars:

Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dustin Hoffman	...	Jack Crabb
Faye Dunaway	...	Mrs. Pendrake
Chief Dan George	...	Old Lodge Skins
Martin Balsam	...	Mr. Merriweather
Richard Mulligan	...	Gen. George Armstrong Custer
Jeff Corey	...	Wild Bill Hickok
Aimée Eccles	...	Sunshine (as Amy Eccles)
Kelly Jean Peters	...	Olga Crabb
Carole Androsky	...	Caroline Crabb (as Carol Androsky)
Robert Little Star	...	Little Horse
Cal Bellini	...	Younger Bear
Ruben Moreno	...	Shadow That Comes in Sight
Steve Shemayne	...	Burns Red in the Sun
William Hickey	...	Historian
James Anderson	...	Sergeant

Storyline

Jack Crabb is 121 years old as the film begins. A collector of oral histories asks him about his past. He recounts being captured and raised by indians, becoming a gunslinger, marrying an indian, watching her killed by General George Armstrong Custer, and becoming a scout for him at Little Big Horn.

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Plot Keywords:

george armstrong custer | gunslinger | little big horn | cavalry charge | war violence | 

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Taglines:

Little Big Man Was Either The Most Neglected Hero In History Or A Liar Of Insane Proportion!

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Genres:

History | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences and some sexual content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pequeño gran hombre

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 1,116,581 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Center Films, Stockbridge-Hiller Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min 147 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (Spanish release) Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Little Big Man was an actual historical figure. He was a Native American, an Oglala Lakota, who was a fearless and respected warrior who fought under, and was rivals with, Crazy Horse. He also fought at the Battle of Little Big Horn, a battle which is depicted in this film.

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Goofs

Throughout the movie Custer is referred to as "General Custer" and is seen wearing two stars on his uniform collar (indicating the rank of Major General. During the Civil War he was given the rank of Brevet Major General of Volunteers which was a temporary promotion for the duration of the war. At the end of the war he was once again reduced to the rank of Captain in the Regular Army. By the time of the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876 he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and would have been addressed as "Colonel" and would have worn the appropriate insignia for that rank.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jack Crabb: I am, beyond a doubt, the last of the old-timers. My name is Jack Crabb. And I am the sole white survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn, uh, uh, popularly known as Custer's Last Stand.

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Connections

Spoofs Belle de Jour (1967)

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Soundtracks

"Garryowen"
(uncredited)
Traditional Irish Jig
Played often by Custer's marching band

User Reviews

Remarkable movie then and still.

A movie set along a historical period that was made before it's time. I consider it a western that has not been equalled since it's release. Though some historical characters in this movie are flavored with outlandish license it excels in invoking a range of emotions. From happy, sad and disbelief to a silent resignation that it may have generally touched events closer than most would want to acknowledge.