civilization with him. After an undefined long time later, John loses his snobbish behavior and is reasonably integrated to the Sioux. One day, he kills two enemies Shoshones, who were spying and stalking the Sioux, and gains the respect of the Sioux and love of the sister of Yellow Hand, Running Deer Corinna Tsopei . John marries Running Deer and integrates to their culture, and after a tragic attack of the Shoshones to the Sioux tribe, he becomes their leader. "A Man Called Horse" is a spectacular and powerful classic western of the 70's. The first time I saw this movie, I was a teenager and left the theater completely astonished with such a different story in that time and the violence of the scenes. Two days ago, I bought the VHS and yesterday I saw it again, and it is still a very impressive film, with magnificent performances of the cast, highlighting Richard Harris and Judith Anderson. The production is very careful, being mostly spoken in Sioux, and depicting in a realistic way, the life, the behavior, the common laws and the moral practices of the Sioux. I believe that "A Man Called Horse", with the Sioux, "Soldier Blue", with the Cheyenne and "Little Big Man", all of them from 1970, were among the first movies to show the lives of prisoners of the North American Indians in their tribes. The amazing scene of John Morgan suspended by his chest in an Indian ceremony is unforgettable and very impressive. My vote is ten.Title Brazil : "Um Homem Chamado Cavalo" "Spectacular Classic Western"

heard of the ritual "Ceremony of the Sun" it is given here as realistic as it gets. Outstanding to preserve heritage is this film in its efforts.A Moore

shows how hard they are with old women when their sons have disappeared. It shows how hard they are with their warriors who have to go through very cruel rites. Pain is the deliverer of the soul. It shows the basic motivation of wars between tribes: to loot the others, in other words to survive by doing nothing productive but appropriating what is not theirs but the others'. It could be considered as light anthropologically but when it came out in 1970 it was a real revolution in the sympathy and empathy it conveyed about the Indians, but also about the fact that cruelty and pain were never looked for per se but always to prove the courage and the strength of the person. In other words it is the proof that Sioux Indians had a high level of morality based on proved physical endurance and courage. It also proved that love was a real dimension among them governing the relations among fellow human beings in the tribe and between men and women, though their love was not necessarily expressed the way we would romantically adorn it.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines

indians" have no doubt great entertainment value I do welcome movies that don't portray the native Americans as barbaric savages. Using native American actors speaking their native tongue instead of painted white actors wearing oh so obvious wigs and speaking in a made-up language was not common back then and A Man Called Horse was one of the earliest movies to do so, way ahead of it's time. The cinematography of the wide open prairie was breathtaking and the scenes portraying the suspension in the sun vow ritual were extremely realistic, making me wonder if Richard Harris actually did have his skin pierced. Interesting that so many young people are now trying suspension as a means of getting an adrenaline rush, although in a more modern setting using surgical steel hooks, the principal is still the same.

yet sensitivity! Not easily merging neatly.So not always pleasant, but always intriguing & engrossing & swinging like a pendulum ... still more into layer upon layer! Bravery & courage, mixed with betrayal & fear.On top of the underlying concern, both for the Indians & the pioneering spirit of the oppressed! Don't miss this intriguing interaction of mutual frontiers, much more so than the dramatic conflicts & sportsmanship of grid iron, & ice hockey, & rugby or football drama that have long superseded such civil wars, into a greater global peace!

abused then wanting to fit in British nobleman makes compulsive viewing.All in all, this is truly landmark cinema - it made a huge impact when it was released - and I promise you you will be affected by it - it has a real psychological effect on the viewer.Powerful film-making and a terrific film.

very traditional. Though the film is rated 'PG', be forewarned that there are scenes of violence and bloodshed particularly the Sun Vow sequence that could have gotten this film an 'R' or a 'PG-13' , so the film is not exactly for kids. Nevertheless, it is worth seeing.

time sympathetic depiction of the Native American people. Much more realistic but just as sincere as that other 70s classic "Little Big Man."

be a 10 for me if it had been addressed. We have Fijians, Australians and even 'Americans' in the roles - but would the film have been made at this time otherwise? I'm also not sure - but the at the time small pool of native American film actors may have been denuded by the fact Little Big Man and Soldier Blue were made at about the same time. Perhaps I'm being over-generous there though. As for Iron Eyes Cody - well everyone ? thought he was the real deal. LOL.My namesake Andrew has made some cogent criticisms and I'll answer a few of them. First, the Harris character is not sympathetic - in my view that's a strength of the film. Also don't fall into the trap that all English or Welsh - he is Morgan! noblemen were effete. Our colonial history is littered with folk from privileged backgrounds proving they were tougher than you might think. However, I suspect his lordship's feet might have been an issue...On the Sun Vow - the film makes a good effort and Batiste makes it clear that this is a lengthy ceremony - not a few minutes. Its also clear the Dakota are worshipping the spirit of the sun - not the sun. Its animism not sun-worship. Others are more expert than I to comment on the true nature of Dakota religion. As for Harris's speech at the ceremony - listen to what he is saying again.On to the portrayal of warfare. Yes Indian warfare was traditionally small raiding. But this is circa 1826 and western influences had crept in by this point. The Fox and Illinois Wars were frankly genocidal and were far from the only case of Native Americans being encouraged to eliminate 'troublesome Indians' by outside influences. The Iroquois earlier hadn't needed too much training... Its not too much of a stretch to see the Shoshone in such a role. As for the lines of warriors putting the Shoshone to flight - ahem. A bit of a far stretch... Don't assume disorganised fighters always beat organised ones - the history of the world proves otherwise.Finally, a word for Jean Gascon - the Quebecois playing the metis Batiste. A lovely little performance - whatever you think of his hairstyle. LOL