A Man Called Horse

Critics Consensus

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Movie Info

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.

Rating:

R
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Classics, Western
Directed By:

Elliott Silverstein, Elliot Silverstein
Written By:

Jack de Witt
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 1970 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Apr 29, 2003
Runtime:

114 minutes
Studio:

National General Pictures

Watch it now

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Cast

Richard Harris
as John Morgan

Judith Anderson
as Buffalo Cow Head

Jean Gascon
as Batise

Manu Tupou
as Yellow Hand

Corinna Tsopei
as Running Deer

William Jordan
as Bent

Dub Taylor
as Joe

James Gammon
as Ed

Edward Little Sky
as Black Eagle

Lina Marin
as Thorn Rose

Eddie Little Sky
as Black Eagle

Tamara Garina
as Elk Woman

Manuel Padilla
as Leaping Buck

Michael Baseleon
as He-Wolf

Manuel Padilla Jr.
as Leaping Buck

Iron Eyes Cody
as Medicine Man, Sun Vow Ritual

Tom Tyon
as Medicine Men, Singer

Terry J. Leonard
as Striking Bear

Jackson Tail
as Medicine Men, Singer

Richard Fools Bull
as Medicine Men, Singer

Stanford Howard

Ben Eagleman
as Medicine Men, Singer

Sioux Indians of Rosebud Reservation

Terry Leonard
as Striking Bear

Lloyd One Star
as Warrior

Frank Raiter
as Warrior

Frank Rabbit Jr.
as Warrior

Justin Thin Elk
as Warrior

Ross Enemy
as Warrior

James Never Miss A Shot
as Warrior

Lawrence Old Cross
as Warrior

Bruce Pretty Bird
as Warrior

View All

Critic Reviews for A Man Called Horse

All Critics (14) | DVD (4)

A test to see how much pain its hero and the audience can take before yelling Uncle.

Aug 1, 2008 | Rating: C | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's all very socially aware and nature-friendly, and the tale is a worthwhile one indeed; too bad A Man Called Horse moves so slowly for much of its running time.

Oct 3, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com
A Man Called Horse is a mesmerizing film about the experiences of a British aristocrat in 1825 struggling to survive in a Sioux tribe.

May 9, 2003 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

View All Critic Reviews (14)

Audience Reviews for A Man Called Horse

Nov 01, 2009

Before a few years I saw the film "A Man Called Horse" (1970) and last night a flixter friend (Epicourus) remind me about it and I realised that this movie still has a very special place in my memory. And I catched myself thinking about some of its very very strong and realistics scenes. Richard Harris (great in his role) has to pass many tests and trials to prove himself, and eventually becomes a leader of the tribe that formerly was his captors. He realizes his life suddenly has meaning, and that the "savages" are actually his saviors. In this movie plays and one Greek accress Corina Tsopei (miss universe 1964) a woman with real greek beauty. A Man Called Horse was a departure from the stereotypical Hollywood treatment of Indians and marks a shift in how Hollywood portrayed Indians in general. They were given a grace and a spiritual wisdom that elevated them beyond the stock villains they had been in most westerns. This film made me to admire and respect Native American culture!!!

Arianeta L Super Reviewer
May 15, 2008

Poorly written and performed (except for Richard Harris) ethnographic western. The brutal "vow to the sun" ritual, Harris in the lead, and some (not all) religious symbolisms are good points, but no matter how good I think it turns at some points, the lack of depth is its fiercest enemy.

Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
Jan 22, 2008

''It just occurred to me... I've traveled halfway around the world, at great expense, simply to kill a different kind of bird.'' In 1825 an English aristocrat is captured by Indians. He lives with them and begins to understand/accept their lifestyles... Richard Harris: John Morgan Judith Anderson: Buffalo Cow Head A Man Named Horse is an unusual film starring Richard Harris as he becomes one with an Indian Tribe and becomes ultimately one of them from being captured and regarded as an animal, in this case a horse. We have Jean Gascon as Batise who provides laughs as a semi-cast who's a translator and friend to Horse. There's love, friendship and a sense of understanding and belonging in A man Named Horse as Richard Harris's performance is to be respected and marveled at, as the English Protagonist. We see rituals intense battles with other clans and emotional loss which leaves me liking its first period better than it's 2nd. Its a fine film birthed in the 70s which renews my faith in that respective era with a few array of others. A fine accolade to American Indian culture and integration of an outsider.

Alexander C Super Reviewer
Dec 19, 2007

An unusual western which admirably treats the American Indian with a certain amount of respect, but it shoots itself in the foot in terms of credibility by having a Greek, a Fijian, an Australian, etc, playing the Sioux. Though he's perfectly good in the role, Jean Gascon's character feels too much like a shallow device for helping Harris, and the viewer, understand the tribal customs. Fascinating, nevertheless.

Stephen M Super Reviewer