MAN CALLED HORSE (DVD) (WS ENHANCE 16:9/DOL DIG(ENG 5.1 DVD

A Man Called Horse
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. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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 Dub Taylor as Joe, White Hunter Will Jordan as Bent Edward Little Sky as Black Eagle Lina Marin as Thorn Rose Tamara Garina as Elk Woman Michael Baseleon as He-Wolf Manuel Padilla as Leaping Buck Iron Eyes Cody as Medicine Man, who performed Sun Vow Ritual Terry J. Leonard as Striking Bear

Crew Phil Barber - Art Director Richard La Motte - Costume Designer Jack Martell - Costume Designer Eddie Marks - Costume Designer Ted Parvin - Costume Designer Terry Morse, Jr. - First Assistant Director Lynn H. Guthrie - First Assistant Director Elliot Silverstein - Director Yakima Canutt - Second Unit Director Philip W. Anderson - Editor Gene Fowler, Jr. - Editor Leonard Rosenman - Composer (Music Score) Frank Griffin - Makeup Richard Cobos - Makeup Dennis Lynton Clark - Production Designer Robert B. Hauser - Cinematographer Sandy Howard - Producer Frederico Farfan - Special Effects Tim Smyth - Special Effects Terry J. Leonard - Stunts Jack de Witt - Screenwriter Dorothy M. Johnson - Short Story Author

A Man Called Horse
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. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

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General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DS: Dolby Surround (4.0) Additional Features: none specified MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 114 min Part of Series: Widescreen Collection   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Captured 2. Warriors Return 3. Attempted Escape 4. "I Am a Man" 5. A Lot to Learn 6. Survival 7. Proving Loyalty 8. Marriage Tests 9. The Union 10. Marital Bliss 11. Battle 12. New Freedom