A Man Called Horse

Rating:
Summary: Don't Believe Everything You Read About This Film
Review: RE: A note to those confused about "white" men becoming Indian chiefs . . . so frustrating it is when some people criticize that which they clearly know nothing of.

The following is from the back cover of a book depicting a true story. The book is called BLUE JACKET by Allan W. Eckert, Landfall Press, Inc., Dayton, Ohio, Copyright 1969 by Allan W. Eckert:

"In the year 1771, a white boy named Marmaduke Van Swearingen was captured by Shawnee Indians in what is now West Virginia but was then the edge of the American frontier. Impressed with his bravery, he was not killed but instead was taken to Ohio where he was adopted into the tribe and given the name Blue Jacket, from the blue shirt he was wearing at the time of his capture. The boy grew to excel as a warrior and leader and became the only white to be made war cheif of the Shawnee."

So famous is this story that every summer in Xenia, Ohio, very near where many of the noteworthy historical exents depicted in this book actually took place, the story of BLUE JACKET is performed live on stage in an ampitheatre in the form of classic outdoor drama.

Good people, don't allow the ignorance of others to mislead you into their conclusions. Indeed, this film is highly entertaining whether it is well-researched or not; and it does stand upon its own merit against the test of time whether or not some people who write negative rewiews of this film have well-researched this film and the validity of its subject matter or not. My opinion is to hand controversy over to the controversial; and instead allow for the art of filmmaking to color your own, personal take on this movie as you experience this film and all it means to you instead of what it means to others; for far more colorful and enjoyable this film will be when taken in the context in which it was clearly intended to be, and that is the study of a man who is desperately struggling to uncover his own personal values, and then discover what to do with them. Richard Harris delivers a soulful and well-rounded performance that, if missed, would surely be unfortunate. Yes indeed, five stars for A MAN CALLED HORSE.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Believe Everything You Read About This Film
Review: RE: A note to those confused about "white" men becoming Indian chiefs . . . so frustrating it is when some people criticize that which they clearly know nothing of.

The following is from the back cover of a book depicting a true story. The book is called BLUE JACKET by Allan W. Eckert, Landfall Press, Inc., Dayton, Ohio, Copyright 1969 by Allan W. Eckert:

"In the year 1771, a white boy named Marmaduke Van Swearingen was captured by Shawnee Indians in what is now West Virginia but was then the edge of the American frontier. Impressed with his bravery, he was not killed but instead was taken to Ohio where he was adopted into the tribe and given the name Blue Jacket, from the blue shirt he was wearing at the time of his capture. The boy grew to excel as a warrior and leader and became the only white to be made war cheif of the Shawnee."

So famous is this story that every summer in Xenia, Ohio, very near where many of the noteworthy historical exents depicted in this book actually took place, the story of BLUE JACKET is performed live on stage in an ampitheatre in the form of classic outdoor drama.

Good people, don't allow the ignorance of others to mislead you into their conclusions. Indeed, this film is highly entertaining whether it is well-researched or not; and it does stand upon its own merit against the test of time whether or not some people who write negative rewiews of this film have well-researched this film and the validity of its subject matter or not. My opinion is to hand controversy over to the controversial; and instead allow for the art of filmmaking to color your own, personal take on this movie as you experience this film and all it means to you instead of what it means to others; for far more colorful and enjoyable this film will be when taken in the context in which it was clearly intended to be, and that is the study of a man who is desperately struggling to uncover his own personal values, and then discover what to do with them. Richard Harris delivers a soulful and well-rounded performance that, if missed, would surely be unfortunate. Yes indeed, five stars for A MAN CALLED HORSE.

Rating:
Summary: A Man Called Horse
Review: Richard Harris' fine performance as an English lord captured by the Sioux Indians and indoctrinated in their ways of life is as good a reason as any to see this well-made western. Set in the Dakota territory of the 1800s, but filmed in the mountains near Durango, Mexico, A MAN CALLED HORSE is effectively directed by Elliot Silverstein (CAT BALLOU), and gives us a whole new view of the Indians way of life. The movie also features appearances by the legendary Iron Eyes Cody and veteran Peckinpah character actor Dub Taylor.

Warning: Despite the 'PG' rating, there are scenes of violence and bloodshed that make it questionable viewing for children; these days, it might get a 'PG-13' rating for such content.

Rating:
Summary: Another example of a movie that's different from the story.
Review: Short story buffs will not like what has happened to Horse in this movie. I happen to really like Dorothy Johnson's story of a wealthy Boston man who goes west in 1846 and is captured by a band of Crow Indians. But I didn't like what they did in the movie: Richard Harris plays an English Lord, not a Bostonian. He has a name, John, which we never know in the story. There are other differences that make the movie a little disappointing. I did like the way the Indians are portrayed - none speak English in the entire movie, and their culture is very accurately shown. But there are too many differences from the story. I guess I am just too picky. I didn't like the changes to Jurrasic Park, either.

Rating:
Summary: A white man becomes Indian chief? Give me a break!
Review: This 1970 film stars Richard Harris as an English Lord in the American West in 1825. He is captured by the Sioux Indians where he is first humiliated, but learns the Indian way of life, participates in a painful ritual, finds love and teaches the Indians a thing or two about war. Ridiculous! First of all, let's look at the cast. In addition to Richard Harris there's Dame Judith Anderson from Australia, cast as Buffalo Cow; Corinna Tsopei, a former Miss Universe from Greece, cast as Running Deer; Manu Tupou, a Polynesian from the Fiji Islands cast as Yellow Hand.

It's true the cast speaks in an Indian language but I wonder if that's just to cover up all their different accents. And even though there is a note at the beginning of the movie that the ritual has been well researched, it is doubtful that any white man ever had this honor, which is played with all its gruesome reality with the intent to shock. I can't believe that a white man would ever become chief either. This was supposed to be a groundbreaking film in 1970 because it depicted life inside the Indian camp, which I assume was based on historical research. But the lead was still played by a white man and the entire story is seen through his eyes. And thr emphasis was placed on the Indians' cruelty. This is unacceptable to my sensibilities even though the film did hold my interest, the cinematography was good and I learned a few details about Indian life. Richard Harris is a good actor and the rest of the cast did the best they could with the material given them. But I cannot recommend this video.

Maybe someday they'll be a good film about Native Americans. This isn't it!

Rating:
Summary: Young Richard Harris
Review: This is a great movie that shows one of the early acting life of Richard Harris. This movie runs all the way from fun to the desperate struggles of life in the early American West. Please do yourself a great favor and buy this movie you will not regret the purchase and you can take that to the Bank.
Rick Freeman

Rating:
Summary: A MAN CALLED BLOAT
Review: This is a silly tale to come out of the so called 'enlightened 70's' when the white man was viewed with evil suspicion. It deals with a man from England who goes on to become a savior to a band of poor and starving Sioux Indians in the 1840's when they accept him as part of the tribe. Poignantly sadistic and offensive to the actual Sioux ritual of the Sun dance, it merely accommodates the new role of Harris as a Christ-like benefactor while objectifying the Indians as a tribe of incoherent savages. Once again, the view point is told by an outsider who functions solely to play the role of benefactor. One scene is especially tedious and tritely when a tribe of Shawnee attack the Sioux encampment and Harris gathers all the Sioux and leads them like an 1800's era gun ensemble to fight off the attacking horsemen! "First row fire, second row hold!"... It's no wonder why white people never fully understood Native American culture.



Rating:
Summary: Had potential
Review: While "A Man Called Horse" was certainly an improvement of the standard depiction of Indians in movie and story, this movie could have been much, much better. It is certainly no "Little Big Man" or "Dances With Wolves". While the general premise was good, there were some scenes that were just downright corny. That scene near the end when Richard Burton instructs the Indians to form two lines of bowmen. Yeah, right. But what really hampers this movie is the cinematography. It's just not good. In the end, "A Man Called Horse" is an average movie at best.