Little Big Man (1970)

Little Big Man movie storyline. In Arthur Penn cinema, there’s a sense of humor that makes it easy for us to absorb issues of incredible depth. I’m not saying that on the axis of Little Big Man, because it would be naive to say that the humor in this film is hidden. The Little Giant Man, the ancestor of humor that makes a sad film like Forest Gump watchable over and over again, is the strongest Arthur Penn film I’ve ever seen based on the complexity of Bonnie and Clyde in some scenes.

Arthur Penn chose to describe the conflict between the Indians and the whites with a character that could not benefit Jesus or Moses. I confess I always expect positive discrimination against Indians. I was disturbed by the image of the Native American, which was attributed to some aspects of the film to be silly. The aggressive and conquering attitude of the whites is already being hit from place to place, but I still did not satisfy me seeing them in the same capacity. If I criticize the subject from a negative point of view, it is admirable that he has handled such a long film with extraordinary skill.

Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman) is an enlarged white kidnapped by Indians at a young age. Jack, nicknamed Little Giant Man, continues his life as a normal white among them in a great raid. When his wife is kidnapped by Indians, he returns to his life. Despite this repeated relocation, Jack establishes ties that allow him to live between the two groups. Jack, who sometimes comes under the protection of the Great Chief (Chief Dan George) and sometimes General George (Richard Mulligan), will stay where he belongs after a real battle.

As I mentioned, it is quite a long film and I felt a real kinship between Forest Gump and Jack. What can we say about Dustin Hoffman, who is the only man in every scene? I should not say that it was a great loss for those who didn’t like acting and didn’t watch this movie. The size of the film is even felt by convincing one of the most important actresses of the time, Faye Dunaway, in a small role. It must be followed by digesting a moment where the head is empty.

Directed by: Arthur Penn
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George, Martin Balsam, Richard Mulligan, Jeff Corey, Aimee Eccles, Kelly Jean Peters, Carole Androsky, Robert Little Star, Ruben Moreno
Screenplay by: Calder Willingham
Production Design by: Dean Tavoularis
Cinematography by: Harry Stradling Jr.
Film Editing by: Dede Allen
Costume Design by: Dorothy Jeakins
Set Decoration by: George R. Nelson
Art Direction by: Angelo P. Graham
Music by: John Paul Hammond
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense battle sequences and some sexual content.
Distributed by: National General Pictures
Release Date: December 23, 1970