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Jeremiah Johnson (1972) Directed by Sydney Pollack with Robert Redford and Will Geer

This is based on the book The  Crow Killer which was about the exploits of John "Liver-Eatin'" Johnson.  He gained the name by eating the livers of the Crow warriors he killed during their 14 year vendetta against him.  The liver eating is not included in the movie.

Jeremiah(Robert Redford) goes west to get away from the Mexican-American war. His attempts at leading a hermit's life are foiled by his ineptitude at living outdoors. He eventually meets up with "Bear Claw" Chris (Will Geer) who puts him through Mountain Man 101. I  especially liked his introduction to skinning Griz (grizzly bears).

He has quite a few adventures and ends up with an orphan boy and a young Indian wife.

When he leads a group of soldiers to rescue a wagon train stranded in the mountains they unavoidably have to cross a Crow burial ground.  This leads to the aforementioned vendetta. He loses his wife and adopted son, and has to fight the Crow hitmen sent after him over the next few years.

This is a classic movie and one of Redford's best. The Utah in winter scenery is often breath taking.

A lot of people here have seen it probably, but if you haven't it's a very good way to spend a couple of hours.



Post Edited (04-05-05 07:21)

Sunshine or thunder
a man will always wonder where
a fair wind blows...

Had to take Washington State history over and over in high school. Watched this movie every time, and I'd already seen it several times before that anyway. I always thought the guy was really named Jeremiah.

i've seen it. I liked it. The film's screenplay was taken from two books about John Johnston, "Crow Killer" by Raymond W. Thorp and "Mountain Man" by Vardis Fisher. Both of which make interesting reading, if one wants a more factual account of what happened.

Really like JEREMIAH JOHNSON and the movie MOUNTAIN MEN.