Western cinema has produced many masterpieces. To list them all would go too far, but just the mention of “12 Noon”, “Play Me a Song of Death”, “Red River”, “Heaven’s Gate”, “Merciless” or “Dances with Wolves” shows how this genre is grandiose and diverse. However, even in this case it sometimes happens that an actual milestone does not receive the necessary recognition.
This is also the case with ‘Little Big Man’ from 1970. In the western directed by Arthur Penn (‘Bonnie & Clyde’), the turbulent life path of a man is traced to give the audience the opportunity to create their own story. to form opinions about America’s past. Haven’t seen the movie yet? Then you can watch it today, November 7 at 10:05 PM, on Servus TV. Alternatively, the western is also available with a Paramount+ subscription.
That’s what ‘Little Big Man’ is about
At the age of 121, Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman) tells his life story to an arrogant reporter. It starts with the then ten-year-old boy who loses his family in an attack by native tribesmen. Only he and his sister Caroline (Carole Androsky) survive the attack. Both are picked up by the Cayenne native Shadow That Comes Insides and taken to his village.
While his sister soon flees, Jack remains in the tribal camp and is treated like a grandson by the chief Old Lodge Skins (Chief Dan George). Crabb stays with the Cayenne for six years and is only accepted by his “brothers” due to his size after saving Younger Bear’s life. After a subsequent confrontation with the US military, Jack must identify himself as one of their own so he can avoid death. Back in ‘white’ civilization, he tries to come to terms with this world that has now become strange to him…
An incredible life
In the official FILMSTARTS review, “Little Big Man” received an excellent 4.5 out of 5 possible stars. This means that Arthur Penn’s western adventure just missed out on masterpiece status. Our author Hans Riegel writes in his review:
“How historical heritage is understood is inextricably linked to the interpretation of history itself. This cinematic work created something new: a new perspective. Arthur Penn brought about a great screen revolution in the American self-image, his revolution, and today we live only in the aftermath, and it is we who benefit from it.
Also important is the chronology of ‘Little Big Man’, which, according to the standards of New Hollywood cinema, aimed to question the classic genre rules and thus test the viewing habits of the time. ‘Little Big Man’ therefore strives to force a critical examination of the settler flows and the genocide of the indigenous population. And Arthur Penn succeeds in a way that is sometimes cynical and sometimes incredibly moving.
The fact that “Little Big Man” works so well is not only due to Arthur Penn’s visually stunning production, but also to lead actor Dustin Hoffman, who delivers one of his most diverse and impressive performances here. Hoffman gives his heart and soul to this incredible life story that spans 121 years, portrays a pleasantly ambivalent character and knows how to touch the audience precisely because of this multidimensionality. Even today it is absolutely incomprehensible why he did not receive at least one Oscar nomination.