Little Big Man Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A really, really old dude trolls a historian by recounting a totally unbelievable life story involving Indians, gunslingers, and Custer’s Last Stand, probably just to mess with him.

🍿 Little Big Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Cheyenne Adoption

The film opens with 121-year-old Jack Crabb recounting his life story to a historian. He begins with his childhood in 1859 when, after his family’s wagon train is attacked by Pawnee, he and his sister are taken in by the Cheyenne. Jack is adopted by Old Lodge Skins, a Cheyenne chief, and given the name ‘Little Big Man’.

Life Between Two Worlds

Jack’s life takes many turns as he moves between the Cheyenne and white societies. He experiences life with a religious family where he’s tempted by the minister’s wife, becomes a snake-oil salesman, and even a gunslinger. These experiences expose the hypocrisy and violence present in both cultures.

Custer and the Little Bighorn

Eventually, Jack becomes a scout for General George Armstrong Custer. Witnessing the brutality of the U.S. Army towards the Cheyenne, especially during the Washita River massacre, hardens his view of white society. His involvement culminates in the Battle of Little Bighorn, where he plays a role in Custer’s defeat.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman): A 121-year-old man recounting his life, straddling Native American and white cultures, and witnessing key historical events.
• Old Lodge Skins (Chief Dan George): A wise and philosophical Cheyenne tribal leader who adopts and mentors Jack Crabb.
• General Custer (Richard Mulligan): An arrogant and overconfident U.S. Army officer who leads his troops to disaster at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
• Mrs. Pendrake (Faye Dunaway): A sexually repressed and hypocritical preacher’s wife who briefly fosters Jack and later becomes a prostitute.
• Wild Bill Hickok (Jeff Corey): A famous gunslinger who befriends Jack Crabb and offers him guidance.
• Younger Bear (Cal Bellini): A Cheyenne warrior who has a complicated relationship with Jack Crabb, marked by resentment and a life debt.
• Sunshine (Aimee Eccles): A Cheyenne woman who becomes Jack Crabb’s wife and the mother of his child, tragically killed in an attack.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Old Lodge Skins: “My heart soars like a hawk.” – Expresses his joy and appreciation for life, spoken during a moment of contentment.
• Old Lodge Skins: “Sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn’t.” – Said after his failed attempt to die peacefully on a hilltop, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and death.
• Jack Crabb: “I am a survivor.” – Reflects his resilience and adaptability throughout his tumultuous life, spanning different cultures and experiences.
• General Custer: “They’re shooting their own horses! Fools!” – Exclaimed during the Battle of Little Bighorn, showcasing his arrogance and underestimation of his opponents.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $31,559,552
• Worldwide Gross: $31,559,552

💥 Little Big Man Reviews

Personal Review

Little Big Man hit me hard. I went in expecting a Western and got a history lesson wrapped in a comedy, sprinkled with tragedy. Seeing the world through Jack Crabb’s eyes was a wild ride, from laughing with Old Lodge Skins to feeling the gut-punch of the Washita massacre. The movie challenged everything I thought I knew about the Old West, and I haven’t looked at Westerns the same way since. I honestly think about this film regularly.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Westerns with a revisionist twist”
  • “Viewers interested in Native American history and culture”
  • “Those who appreciate films with a blend of comedy and tragedy”
  • “Dustin Hoffman fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence, including depictions of massacres and warfare”
  • “Mature themes, including sexuality and cultural conflict”
  • “Some offensive language and racial slurs reflecting the historical period”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Arthur Penn’s epic Western is a sprawling, ambitious, and ultimately moving film that challenges traditional narratives of the American West. Dustin Hoffman shines, but Chief Dan George’s performance as Old Lodge Skins is unforgettable. A must-see for those seeking something more than a simple shoot-em-up.
• The New York Times: “While its length can be daunting, Little Big Man is a fascinating, often hilarious, and occasionally brutal look at the clash of cultures in the Old West. Penn’s direction is masterful, and the film’s revisionist take on history remains relevant today. Hoffman delivers a memorable performance.

Audience Reactions

Chief Dan George’s performance is heartwarming and hilarious.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s unique blend of humor and tragedy, as well as its revisionist take on Western history.

The segment with General Custer is both funny and disturbing.: Many people found the movie thought-provoking.

Overall Consensus: Little Big Man is a lauded revisionist Western celebrated for its unique tone, compelling performances, and thought-provoking themes.

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Best Film)- 1970

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Marlon Brando was initially offered the role of Old Lodge Skins but turned it down.”
• “The film was shot in various locations including Alberta, Montana, and California to capture the vast landscapes of the Old West.”
• “Arthur Penn’s direction aimed to subvert traditional Western tropes and offer a more nuanced portrayal of Native American culture.”
• “Dustin Hoffman underwent extensive makeup to convincingly portray Jack Crabb at different stages of his life, including as a 121-year-old man.”

🖥️ How to Watch Little Big Man?

Little Big Man can be rented or purchased on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Little Big Man, you might like these similar films:

• Dances with Wolves (1990): Both films explore the relationship between a white protagonist and Native American culture, offering a sympathetic portrayal of indigenous peoples.
• Soldier Blue (1970): Released in the same year, this film also depicts the brutality of the Indian Wars and challenges traditional Western narratives.
• The Revenant (2015): While more focused on survival, it shares themes of wilderness, Native American interactions, and the harsh realities of frontier life.
• Forrest Gump (1994): It shares a similar narrative structure of a character recounting their life story while witnessing significant historical events.

🛒 Little Big Man Related Products

• Little Big Man [Blu-ray]: Experience the epic adventure in stunning high definition, a definitive addition to any film lover’s collection. The visual and audio quality is a significant upgrade from the DVD release.
• Little Big Man (Thomas Berger Novel): Delve deeper into the world of Jack Crabb with the original novel that inspired the film. The book offers greater depth and insight into the characters and events.
• Dustin Hoffman: The Complete Film Collection [DVD]: Get Little Big Man plus a huge compilation of Hoffman’s most iconic films. A great box set to own. Watch the evolution of an actor in this timeless collection
• Native American Inspired Dream Catcher: Beautiful handmade dream catcher inspired by Native American culture, a reminder of Old Lodge Skin’s teachings.

🎧 Soundtrack

Little Big Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by John Hammond
• “Bringing In the Sheaves” – performed by Faye Dunaway

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

LITTLE BIG MAN Clip – “Custer’s Last Stand” (1970) Dustin Hoffman

Ever wondered how ‘Little Big Man’ tackled the iconic Custer’s Last Stand? This clip is a must-watch, showing Dustin Hoffman amidst the chaos. I think it’s a brilliant take on history!

Little Big Man – “You Go Down There”

This scene is short, but so memorable! Check out the clip from Little Big Man, you get a good sense of the movie’s humor and heart in just a minute. Honestly, it is one of my favorites!

Faye Dunaway and Dustin Hoffman in Little Big Man

Want a glimpse of the unexpected chemistry between Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway? This clip shows their dynamic relationship in a really interesting way. Personally, I think it is one of the best scenes in the movie!

✨ Rate