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:

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

Following the movie time line, Jack Crabbe should have been rescued from the Indians around 1865. When he enters his gunfighter period around 1866, Jack is carrying two 1873 Colt Peacemakers while Hickock's pistol is an 1882 Colt.

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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

Referenced in Se7en (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Bringing In the Sheaves"
(1880) (uncredited)
Music by George A. Minor (1880)
Hymn by Knowles Shaw (1874)
Sung a cappella by Faye Dunaway

User Reviews

My favorite movie.

The story of Jack Crabb, "last of the old timers" is the funniest, most moving, and enlightening history lessons you'll ever experience. This is a beautiful, sometimes tragic story of the west as told by Little Big Man, who managed to see some of the most important moments in America's history, most notably Custer's Last Stand. Dustin Hoffman gives his best performance. Chief Dan George as his grandfather will make you cry. And Richard Mulligan pulls off an incredible performance as General Custer.

The book is often taught in High School; I hope teachers also show the film because it is a rare example of a movie doing a classic justice.