A Man Called Horse (1970)

Richard Harris is John Morgan, an Englishman born into priviledge and wealth who hasn’t had to work for anything in his life.

So he’s spent the last five years traveling the world, looking for adventure only to land in the American West in the 1820s, on a hunting expedition with three illiterate guides.

That’s when a Sioux raiding party attacks. Within minutes, the three guides are dead.

Morgan, caught bathing in a nearby river, is collared and drug kicking and fighting back to the Sioux village.

Once there, he’s given to Buffalo Cow Head (Judith Anderson), mother of chief Yellow Hand (Manu Tupou) to work as her slave.

Almost immediately, he begins plotting an escape with the help of Batise, a half-breed Frenchman who speaks English and is able to explain the Sioux ways.

But as Morgan gains acceptance among the tribe, he also comes to respect his new Indian family and wants to make pretty Running Deer (Corinna Tsopei), Yellow Hand’s daughter, his wife.

That doesn’t mean he’s forgotten about freedom. His plan now is to become a chief, earn a war party of his own and eventually flee with Batise. Perhaps with Running Deer too.

Richard Harris as John Morgan, ready to call off his hunting expedition just before the Sioux attack in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Manu Topou as Yellow Hand, witnessing the Sun Vow ceremony in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Review:

This “Indian” Western was a commercial success, spawning a pair of official sequels (“The Return of a Man Called Horse” and “Triumphs of a Man Called Horse) and a third Harris film along the same lines “Man in the Wilderness.”

It’s a mixed bag. While it offers an interesting depiction of Sioux tribal life, viewers are still presented with a white man who becomes a better Indian than most Indians.

He saves the village from one Shoshone ambush, organizes the strategy that leads to the defeat of a warring tribe in another scene. Harris even marries the prettiest Indian virgin around, the one other chiefs want.

The film is best known for its gruesome depiction of the Sun Vow Ceremony, in which Harris is strung up by his (prosthetic) chest as a test of endurance. The best scene is the large scale Shoshone attack on the Sioux village.

Judith Anderson is a hoot as Buffalo Cow Head. Jean Gascon is barely bearable as Batise, the man who has found acting the fool means living an easy life among the Sioux. Corrina Tsopie was Miss Universe 1964.

Corinna Tsopei as Running Deer, the chief’s daughter who marries John Morgan in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Jean Gascon as Batise, plotting a run for freedom with John Morgan in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Directed by:
Elliott Silverstein

Cast:
Richard Harris … John Morgan
Judith Anderson … Buffalo Cow Head
Jean Gascon … Batise
Manu Tupou … Yellow Hand
Corinna Tsopei … Running Deer
Dub Taylor … Joe
James Gannon … Ed
William Jordan … Bent
Eddie Little Sky … Black Eagle
Michael Baseleon … Longfoot
Lina Marin … Thorn Rose
Tamara Garina … Elk Woman
Terry Leonard … Striking Bear
Iron Eyes Cody … Medicine man

Runtime: 114 min.

Judith Anderson as Buffalo Cow Head, keeping a close eye on John Morgan in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Richard Harris as John Morgan, captured and about to being his life with the Sioux in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Memorable lines:

John Morgan: “It just occurred to me. I’ve traveled half-way around the world, at great expense, simply to kill a different kind of bird.”
Joe, his guide: “Well, what’s wrong with that if you ain’t got nothin’ better to do.”

One of the guides, watching Morgan approach: “Beat the drums and sound the brass, here don’t come one big horse’s ass.”

John Morgan: “Christ, I’ve had enough, you bunch of bloody bastards. I’m not a horse. I’m not an animal … I am a man.”

John Morgan: “Little Freedom, now is the truth. You are part of me. When I go, you go. Forever.”

Richard Harris as John Morgan, about to undergo the Sun Vow ceremony in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Iron Eyes Cody as a medicine man presiding over the Sun Vow ceremony in A Man Called Horse (1970)

James Gannon as Ed and Dub Taylor as Joe, guides for John Morgan in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Mau Tupou as Yellow Hand, trusting John Morgan with his life in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Corinna Tsopei as Running Deer with John Morgan (Richard Harris) in A Man Called Horse (1970)

Richard Harris as John Morgan, sensing trouble in camp in A Man Called Horse (1970)