A Man Called Horse (1970)

In 1825, an English aristocrat is captured by Native Americans. He lives with them and begins to understand their way of life. Eventually, he is accepted as part of the tribe and aspires to become their leader.

Director:

Elliot Silverstein

Writers:

Jack DeWitt (screenplay) (as Jack De Witt), Dorothy M. Johnson (story)

Stars:

Richard Harris, Judith Anderson, Jean Gascon

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Harris	...	John Morgan
Judith Anderson	...	Buffalo Cow Head (as Dame Judith Anderson)
Jean Gascon	...	Batise
Manu Tupou	...	Yellow Hand
Corinna Tsopei	...	Running Deer
Dub Taylor	...	Joe
James Gammon	...	Ed
William Jordan	...	Bent
Eddie Little Sky	...	Black Eagle
Michael Baseleon	...	Longfoot
Lina Marín	...	Thorn Rose (as Lina Marin)
Tamara Garina	...	Elk Woman
Terry Leonard	...	Striking Bear
Iron Eyes Cody	...	Medicine Man
Tom Tyon	...	Medicine Man

Storyline

During the early 1800s, English Lord John Morgan (Richard Harris) is hunting in the Dakotas, but he is captured by a group of Sioux warriors. Morgan's guides are killed, but he is spared by Sioux Chief Yellow Hand (Manu Tupou), who marvels at Morgan's blond hair. Brought to Yellow Hand's tribal village, Morgan has to endure physical abuse and mockery at the hands of women and children who consider him to be a wild horse. Restrained by a rope around his neck, Morgan is given as a gift to an old squaw, Buffalo Cow Head (Dame Judith Anderson), to be her slave and help her with daily chores. In the village, Morgan meets Running Deer (Corinna Tsopei), the beautiful young sister of Chief Yellow Hand. Morgan witnesses the traditional courtship process when Running Deer is asked in marriage by a tribe member who presents Yellow Hand with gifts in return for his sister's hand in marriage. Morgan starts to fall in love with her. Also in the village is half-breed, Batise (Jean Gascon), whose ...

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Plot Keywords:

warrior | marriage | stealing a horse | horse | male rear nudity | 

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Taglines:

A man called "Horse" becomes an Indian warrior in the most electrifying ritual ever seen!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a 1958 segment of the television series Wagon Train (1957), bearing the same title. It is the same story as this movie, with a few changes, even chief with two sisters, and a slave to Yellow Rope's mother.

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Goofs

Near the end in the battle scene with the Shoshone, the Shoshone leader is wearing sunglasses.

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Quotes

Batise: Lucky for you, chief like angry. You yell, make strong. Until winter comes!
[evil laugh, walking away]
Batise: Until winter comes!

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Alternate Versions

Old German VHS version includes many alternate/more violent takes that are not on the US DVD (whereas the version on the DVD is the same as in the US), especially the ending is almost completely recut. On the other hand the US version includes a few lines which are not in the German version.

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Connections

Remake of Wagon Train: A Man Called Horse (1958)

User Reviews

2nd Time Around

Although this film appeared to be a western for the 1970's, the story was not new. The writer, Dorothy M. Johnson, originally wrote it for the T.V. series Wagon Train (1957-65). Ralph Meeker was cast then in the Richard Harris role, and an excellent job he made of it, in his quiet way. A good story will always stand the test of time, as this proves.

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Sioux French

Release Date:

1 May 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Man Called Horse

Filming Locations:

Happy Jack, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,941,247

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$44,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Center Films, Sandy Howard Productions, Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1