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 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 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 Morgan 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, to be her slave and help her with daily chores.In the village, Morgan meets Running Deer, 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, whose mother was Sioux and father was French.Batise becomes Morgan's friend and interpreter.Batise ...

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Plot Keywords:

sioux | shoshone | warrior | squaw | marriage | 

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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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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Sioux French

Release Date:

May 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Mann, den sie Pferd nannten

Filming Locations:

Happy Jack, Arizona, USA

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

For his painful Vow to the Sun initiation ceremony scene, Sir Richard Harris wore a prosthetic chest created by Make-up Artist John Chambers.

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Goofs

When the band of Indians first stops after capturing Morgan, he is seen standing at the horses enter the clearing. In the next scene, he is on the ground, as he had been after falling in the previous scene.

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Quotes

Batise: [translating for Thorn Rose] No hole in moccasin... she tell you she is a virgin.
John Morgan: I have no reason to doubt it.

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Connections

Referenced in Sacrifice! (1972)

User Reviews

A Man Called Horse

If you liked Dances With Wolves, this is the movie that spawned the stories of Native Americans from their perspective. The majesty of the great American West unspoiled before the westward movement pushed the mighty races into obscurity and off their lands is presented here with unparalleled grandeur. The acting from Richard Harris to the many natives in the film is magnificent and lends itself mightily in portraying the triumphs & tragedies of life at its basics, that is, survival. A must see if you are a student of the American Indian culture. Great cinematography and if you have never heard of the ritual "Ceremony of the Sun" it is given here as realistic as it gets. Outstanding to preserve heritage is this film in its efforts.

A Moore