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Rating: 7 stars

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childhood movie native american ritual pregnancy pregnant kidnapping

All movies seen on 06/26/2014

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A Man Called Horse (1970)

Directed by Elliot Silverstein

Western | Drama

Overview

In 1825, English peer Lord John Morgan is cast adrift in the American West. Captured by Sioux Indians, Morgan is at first targeted for quick extinction, but the tribesmen sense that he is worthy of survival. He eventually passes the many necessary tests that will permit him to become a member of the tribe.

Rated R | Length 114 minutes

Actors

Richard Harris | Jean Gascon | Judith Anderson | Corinna Tsopei | Manu Tupou | Dub Taylor | James Gammon | William Jordan | Eddie Little Sky | Michael Baseleon | Lina Marín | Tamara Garina | Iron Eyes Cody | Tom Tyon | Terry Leonard | Manuel Padilla Jr. | Lloyd One Star | Samuel White Horse | James Never Miss a Shot | Justin Thin Elk | Aloysius Eagleman | Lee Schaff Guardino | Sonny Skyhawk | Jasper Redhat | Vince St. Cyr | Edward Little | Jackson Tail

Viewing History (seen 1 time)

Viewing Notes

For my Childhood Movies Project. Watching this now I wonder if I ever really saw the whole thing. I’m sure I did but it’s really that one sequence, the vow of the sun, that is burned into my memory. I recall being terrified and yet completely fascinated by this ritual. It’s as though the American indians practiced body modification way before it was a thing.

As a whole this film is interesting since it’s not really a western in the traditional sense despite the period. Other than Richard Harris and his team in the opening sequence, this is entirely a movie about the life and struggle of native Americans. Introducing a white man into their tribe is a device to tell their story but also what it means to be a member of their tribe. A journey of discovery and acceptance.

Although it doesn’t seem odd now I wonder how audiences reacted to this “foreign” language as none of the native dialogue is translated. The composite frames are a little weird to see but overall this is a solid film with some great performances. Tragic to see tribes war against each other in light of how history played out.

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