“Little Big Man” (1970) starring Dustin Hoffman / Z-View
Little Big Man (1970)
Director: Arthur Penn
Screenplay: Calder Willingham; based on LITTLE BIG MAN by Thomas Berger
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Martin Balsam, Jeff Corey, Chief Dan George, Faye Dunaway, Aimee Eccles, William Hickey, James Anderson, Alan Oppenheimer, Thayer David, Annette O’Toole and Richard Mulligan.
Tagline: Little Big Man Was Either The Most Neglected Hero In History Or A Liar Of Insane Proportion!
The Plot…
Jack Crabb is 121 years old. A historian records Jack as he recounts his life story. According to Jack, his parents were killed by Indians. Jack and his sister were taken captive. His sister escaped, and Jack was raised for a few years by the Indians. Jack was given the name Little Big Man.
While still in his teens, Jack is “rescued” and sent to live with Reverend Silas Pendrake and his young sexually unfulfilled wife. From there Jack’s life took unexpected twists and turns including…
- Jack’s time with a traveling snakeoil salesman
- Jack’s adventures as a feared gunslinger known as the Soda Pop Kid
- Jack’s time as Wild Bill Hickok’s close friend
- Jack’s married life as a partner in a general store
- Jack’s travels west, attacked by Indians (again) and reunited with his Indian family
- Jack’s troubles with a Contrary brave
- Jack’s run-ins with General George Armstrong Custer
- Jack’s claim to be the only white man who survived the Battle at the Little Big Horn
- and even more
Jack aka Little Big Man is Either The Most Neglected Hero In History Or A Liar Of Insane Proportion!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Chief Dan George was a 1971 Academy Award Nominee for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role. This was the first time a Native American received an Academy Award nomination.
There was an actual historical figure named Little Big Man. He was an Oglala Lakota warrior who did fight at the Battle of Little Big Horn.
When Dustin Hoffman’s character is adopted, Faye Dunaway plays his new mother. Hoffman is four years older than Dunaway in real life.
Little Big Man features Annette O’Toole’s film debut.
Little Big Man (1970) rates 4 of 5 stars.
