Little Big Man

Watch Little Big Man

"Either the most neglected hero in history or a liar of insane proportion!"
  • PG-13
  • 1970
  • 2 hr 19 min
  • 7.5  (37,315)
  • 63

Little Big Man, a 1970 American Western film directed by Arthur Penn, stars Dustin Hoffman as an elderly man named Jack Crabb who recounts his life story to a historian. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Berger. The story is set in the late 19th century and follows the life of Jack Crabb, who claims to be the only white survivor of the Battle of Little Bighorn. He was raised by the Cheyenne tribe after his family was killed by the Pawnee tribe. Jack grows up to become a skilled warrior and a trusted member of the tribe who later on becomes a gunslinger, a snake oil salesman and an Army scout.

Throughout the movie, Jack's character journey is seen as he is forced to reconcile his loyalty to his adopted tribe with his European heritage, which often brings him into conflict with both Native Americans and white settlers. Over the course of his life, Jack encounters various notable historical figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and General George Armstrong Custer.

Chief Dan George played the role of Old Lodge Skins, Jack's grandfather, who is a revered member of the tribe. Faye Dunaway played the role of Mrs. Pendrake, an attractive woman who hires Jack to sell her a tonic made from rattlesnake oil.

The film has a satirical and humorous tone that balances the dramatic events that occur. The script is highly entertaining and keeps the audience captivated as they are taken through Jack's life, which is full of action, drama, and emotion.

The cinematography of the film is stunning, with breathtaking landscapes and intense scenes of battle. The score by composer John Hammond also provides a great accompaniment to the visuals, with subtle and impactful sound bites to bring out the emotions in the audience.

The film's themes highlight the complex issues surrounding the colonial era and America's relationship with the indigenous population. The movie showcases how Jack’s experiences with both white and Native American societies challenge his assumptions about race and identity.

Little Big Man was a commercial and critical success, and Dustin Hoffman's performance was highly acclaimed. It received four Academy Award nominations in the categories of Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Sound.

Overall, Little Big Man is an epic and entertaining story of a man's fascinating life journey. It stands out as a landmark film in Hollywood's depiction of the West as it challenges the conventional popular mythology of the period. With its stunning production value, excellent acting, and thoughtful themes, Little Big Man still holds up today as a classic of American cinema.

Little Big Man is a 1970 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 63.

Little Big Man
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Where to Watch Little Big Man
Little Big Man is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Little Big Man for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1970
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    2 hr 19 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (37,315)
  • Metascore
    63
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