Sexyloutak
Absolutely the worst movie.
Tayyab Torres
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
Curt
Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.
Flim Flam
After not having watched any of the classic westerns in a long time somebody told me I should watch Jeremiah Johnson...I'm so happy I listened! This movie is beautiful, just so beautiful that alone is enough to give it a try, the story is amazing as well! On top of that it has aged very well, if they made the same movie today it would probably look the same (or worse).Have look and judge for yourself, you will not be disappointed!A classic among classics.Recommended!
comps-784-38265
I recently saw 'The Revenant' with Leo DiCaprio and could not help but compare it to Jeremiah Johnson with Robert Redford.The comparison is not favourable. 'The Revenant' is not a patch on Jeremiah Johnson.Both are visually stunning. (Bear in mind that Jeremiah Johnson, circa 1972, is visually stunning without the benefit of CGI)Both have gritty realism.Both have very good acting.But only Jeremiah Johnson has a really really good story. Jeremiah Johnson, ex-soldier, tired of war goes up into the mountains to be a 'mountain man'. He has an exciting and dangerous life, learning how to survive, helped by an old mountain man. He finds survivors of Indian massacre and is force to adopt a mute boy. He then gets an Indian squaw as a present. He finally settles down with his new family. But comes back to find them killed by Indians. He tracks and kills all but one of the culprits. Thereafter the tribe, in a test of manhood, send warriors one at a time to try and kill him. It's a cracking film. A Sunday matinée classic. (The Revenant is not even close)
Scott LeBrun
Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford) is disillusioned with life after experiencing the horrors of the Mexican War. Now his one simple desire is to live the life of a "mountain man". He will fend for himself, and live off the land. Along the way he will encounter such characters as the helpful old hermit Bear Claw (Will Geer), the grieving "crazy" woman (Allyn Ann McLerie), and the flamboyant Del Gue (Stefan Gierasch). He will incur the wrath of the Crow tribe, becoming a marked man, and meet many of their number in hand to hand combat. He will also experience friendship, love, and loss, while once again finding his place in the world.Redford is aces in this well crafted story inspired by a real life trapper named John Johnston, and drawn from sources such as the novel "Mountain Man" by Vardis Fisher and the tale "Crow Killer" by Raymond W. Thorp & Robert Bunker. Given that one of the two credited screenwriters is John Milius (the other being Edward Anhalt), this proves to be a stirring, robust, and interesting entertainment. It's extremely well directed by Sydney Pollack, and it's set against the backdrop of some truly breathtaking wilderness. Themes of man vs. man and man vs. nature are front and centre. Some viewers may take exception to the way in which a number of the Indian characters are portrayed, but balancing that is the appealing performance of Delle Bolton (who gets an "introducing" credit) as the Indian lass Swan, whom Jeremiah is roped into taking as a wife.Our hero definitely blossoms as he forms something resembling a family unit, with a "son" whom he christens Caleb (Josh Albee), and his new bride. His story is somewhat episodic in nature, but compelling and heartfelt.The music is credited to actors Tim McIntire and John Rubinstein, and it is simply beautiful, serving as the perfect accompaniment to lovely widescreen images captured by cinematographer Duke Callaghan.Redford is extremely well supported by a cast that also includes character actors Joaquin Martinez, Paul Benedict, Charles Tyner, Jack Colvin, and Matt Clark. Both Geer and Gierasch steal the show in their respective scenes.Redford has made many fine films, but this one remains somewhat undervalued.Eight out of 10.
classicsoncall
I just read an account of Robert Redford stating that one of his takes at the end of the movie where he gnashed his teeth at Paints-His-Shirt-Red was inadvertent and was the one that wound up in the film. When I saw it, I felt he was containing his rage and showing a measure of respect for his Crow Indian foe long after his Flathead wife Swan (Delle Bolton) and companion Caleb (Josh Albee) were slain by the Indian or one of his tribe. It was a way for the viewer to comprehend that Jeremiah Johnson understood that the Crow revenge for going through their sacred burial ground was to their way of thinking justified. At least that's what I got out of it.After watching the movie, one gets the impression that getting back to nature might not be the best idea going. At least not 1800's style. Hunting, trapping and freezing to death to make a living is not the panacea one might envision in a wistful reverie about living off the land. Of course the Indian threat is much less today, but surviving brutal winters outdoors is never fun. It's been below zero every morning where I live for the past week.What's never made clear in the story is why Jeremiah Johnson gave up on civilization in the first place. One could come up with a few ideas but they'd be only guesses. A brief mention is made of the Mexican War but Johnson didn't have a problem with violence when you come right down to it. I would like to have better understood his motivation.The picture is gorgeously filmed and the scenery is outstanding. As a man without a plan, Johnson winds up wherever life takes him meeting colorful characters along the way. There's a sort of romanticism to it in it's own way, but always slammed with a harsh measure of reality every time other human beings are involved.
