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Old Lodge Skins Give "Little Big Man" a perfect blend of comedy and drama

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

Little Big Man – 3 stars (good)

You know that "Little Big Man" has the makings of a good movie when one views historian Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman), a forgotten centenary of more than 100 years in a care facility, ask questions about how the Indians lived in the Far West. Is said to have lived among Crabb Cheyenne, and even did.

The two young Crabb and his sister Caroline were the only survivors of his family during an Indian attack, while to the west and were rescued and Cheyenne led by their leader, Old Lodge Skins (Chief Dan George), bringing young Jack as a son after Caroline escapes civilization.

Jack discovers that life as a Cheyenne to be good, and becomes instrumental in saving the lives of young bears. It is called "Little Big Man" because Old Lodge Skins, if small, has a big heart.

From this unlikely beginning, Jack says his walk in life with some amazing characters, including the wife of a preacher with an appetite for illicit sex, a snake oil salesman, a Swedish woman who became his wife, a woman who became Cheyenne his wife and mother of his son, General George Armstrong Custer and Wild Bill Hickok.

He became a peddler of fake products, a gunman Soda Pop Kid, a friend of Will Bill Hickok, who owned a general store, a drunk, a knacker "mule" and seeks the General Custer, a trapper and a hermit.

It was General Custer, who leads his troops to attack the Cheyenne Jack family cause, and Cheyenne Jack's wife and son are killed in slaughter. Ultimately, it is Jack who leads into the trap Custer at Little Big Horn and became the "only white survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn."

Little Big Man, based on the 1964 novel by Thomas Berger, was directed by Arthur Penn and published in 1970. The film is not historically accurate, and not to treat Native Americans favorably, and the United States Cavalry less favorable.

Adapting to the screen with the help of Little Big Man Calder Willingham is a balanced mix humor and drama. The narrative in the character of Jack Crabb makes this film much more friendly. Little Big Man is really the history of relationship with his grandfather Jack was adopted, Old Lodge Skins.

Chief Dan George has received Oscar and Golden Globe for best supporting actor in this film. It was remarkable role Old Lodge Skins. When his people are attacked and killed without reason, does not work, saying: "Today is a good day to die."

Cheyenne Old Lodge Skins calls his people "human beings," noting that "there is an endless supply of white men" and "limited supply of human beings." He looks and feels the injustice done to Native Americans who receive their own land, and then attacked and killed without cause.

There are too funny, poignant and dramatic moments in this film to recount here. One of my favorites is when, after he escaped with the help of Jack the last of the brutal attacks against its people, Old Lodge Skins going to the mountaintop to die. Reza, and then set to die, but wakes up when it starts raining, asking Jack if he is still in this world.

Jack says yes, he replied: "I was afraid of that. Well, sometimes the magic works, sometimes not," and proceeds down the mountain with Jack dinner.

Dustin Hoffman set a record for the largest length portrait of a single character in Little Big Man, playing Jack Crabb 17-121.

The story of Jack Crabb, in his passage through life and contact with important people and powerful story reminds me of Tom Hanks and his role in Forest Gump. "These two films are well done, worth having a hearing history, and leaves us a better person for the experience.

37 Little Big Man was on the big screen. Little has been done, but there is a group of film lovers like me, this movie does not let a slow death. It's too good not to be seen and appreciated by others. I feel the same about "A Christmas Story "and many others as well.

If you have not seen Little Big Man, do yourself a favor while you still can.

About the Author

Read more of my movie reviews on families, including:
“A Christmas Story”
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”
“Secondhand Lions”
“The Chorus (Les Choristes in French)”
“Waking Ned Devine”
These are all excellent films that can make you smile, laugh, cry and feel better for the experience.
Find my articles at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/MovieReviews.html

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