A Man Called Horse [Blu-ray]

Director: Elliot Silverstein, Elliott Silverstein Elliot Silverstein

Overview

A Man Called Horse stars Richard Harris as Lord John Morgan, an English peer cast somewhat adrift in the American West. Captured by Sioux Indians, Lord Morgan is at first targeted for quick extinction, but the tribesmen sense that he is worthy of survival. The Englishman passes many of the necessary tests that will permit him to become a member of the tribe, the most grueling of which (and the one used most extensively in the film's advertising) is the Sun Vow Initiation. That's where his lordship is hung from the roof of a huge teepee with hooks through his pectoral muscles. Much of the dialogue is spoken in the Sioux language, though the film's much-vaunted "historical accuracy" is not altogether consistent, as witness the casting of British stage luminary Judith Anderson as Sioux woman Buffalo Cow Head. A Man Called Horse spawned warrant two sequels. Originally rated "GP" in 1970, it has since been re-rated R by the MPAA.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/31/2011
UPC:	0097361452043
Original Release:	1970
Rating:	R
Source:	Paramount
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:55:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Richard Harris	John Morgan
Judith Anderson	Buffalo Cow Head
Jean Gascon	Batise
Manu Tupou	Yellow Hand
Corinna Tsopei	Running Deer
William Jordan	Bent
Dub Taylor	Joe
James Gammon	Ed
Edward Little Sky	Black Eagle
Eddie Little Sky	Black Eagle
Tamara Garina	Elk Woman
Michael Baseleon	He-Wolf
Manuel Padilla Jr.	Leaping Buck
Iron Eyes Cody	Medicine Man, Sun Vow Ritual
Tom Tyon	Medicine Men, Singer
Jackson Tail	Medicine Men, Singer
Richard Fools Bull	Medicine Men, Singer
Ben Eagleman	Medicine Men, Singer
Terry Leonard	Striking Bear
Lloyd One Star	Warrior
Frank Rabbit Jr.	Warrior
Justin Thin Elk	Warrior
Ross Enemy	Warrior
James Never Miss A Shot	Warrior
Lawrence Old Cross	Warrior
Bruce Pretty Bird	Warrior
Lina Marín	Epine de Rose
Phillip Clark	Actor
Sonny Skyhawk	A member of the "Yellow Hand" band
Vince St. Cyr	Warrior
Manuel Padilla	Leaping Buck
Terry J. Leonard	Striking Bear
Stanford Howard	Actor
Sioux Indians of Rosebud Reservation	Actor
Frank Raiter	Warrior
Leonard Rosenman	Composer
Lloyd One Star	Composer

Technical Credits

Jack DeWitt

Dorothy M. Johnson

Gregory Crosby

Elliot Silverstein	Director,Director
Sandy Howard	Producer
Federico Farfan	Special Effects
Terry Leonard	Stunts
Tim Smyth	Special Effects
Jack DeWitt	Screenwriter
Rafael Ruiz Esparza	Sound Effects
Dorothy M. Johnson	Screenwriter
Gregory Crosby	Screenwriter
Frederico Farfan	Special Effects
Terry J. Leonard	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

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.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler