Details
Movie Description
LITTLE BIG MAN was significant when it was made because of its editing, which was still being explored in Hollywood at the time as a vehicle for innovative, simple storytelling.
Arthur Penn's film of Thomas Berger's bestselling novel demystifies the Old West with its funny, chaotic portrayal of one man's experiences in its closing days. Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman), a 121-year-old Indian living in a rest home, relates his incredible life experiences. According to Crabb's somewhat fanciful tales, he was raised by the Cheyenne from the age of 10 only to be seized by whites when he was 15. He then embarks on a string of failed attempts to find a place for himself in the world. These bring him into contact with (among many others) Wild Bill Hickok, the US Cavalry, a former preacher's wife-turned-prostitute, his own spunky frontierswoman sister, and General George Armstrong Custer during the Battle of Little Big Horn. The result is a funny, spiritual film with a humane view of the plight of Native Americans.
Synopsis
Satirical look at the American West as the 121-year-old Jack Crabb reminisces with a historian about his life and the history he witnessed. According to Crabb's somewhat fanciful tales, he was raised by the Cheyenne from the age of 10 only to be seized by the whites at age 15, followed by a string of failed attempts to find a place for himself in the world. These attempts would bring Jack into contact with (among many others) Wild Bill Hickok, the U. S. Cavalry, a former preacher's wife turned prostitute, his own spunky sister-frontierswoman, and General George Armstrong Custer during the Battle of Little Big Horn.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: December 14, 1970
Filmed over 134 days on location in Alberta, Montana, and California.
Estimated budget: $10 million.
Originally rated MPAA GP.
Industry Reviews
"Told with an easy wit and a generous humanism, it's a beautiful, funny and tender movie. The best Western you've probably never seen."
Total Film - Ceri Thomas (02/01/2004)
"[T]he film unfolds as a rambling, picaresque folk tale…...Even the saddest and most squalid moments come laced with humour."
Uncut - Geoffrey Macnab (08/01/2004)
Quotations
"This life is not only sinful, it's not much fun." -- Mrs. Pendrake (Faye Dunaway) on the life of prostitute
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