January 12th: LITTLE BIG MAN (Arthur Penn, 1970)
NOTE: This film will be projected in the high-definition Blu-ray format.
A 121 year-old man tells his fantastical life story as a white child raised by Native Americans, and his brushes with famous historical figures of the Old West.
Director Arthur Penn began his career in the theatre and then with television dramas before moving into films, where he was working with high-profile actors like Paul Newman, Anne Bancroft, Warren Beatty, and Marlon Brando right from the beginning. His huge breakthrough came with 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, considered the first shot fired in the "New Hollywood" movement.
Penn's first film of the next decade would be a "revisionist western" emblematic of the time period, a sub-genre where white settlers' complicated relationship with Native Americans was more closely analyzed, long-standing myths were deconstructed, and parallels were often drawn to the United States' current involvement in Vietnam. A best-selling novel by author Thomas Berger was adapted by screenwriter Calder Willingham (The Graduate, Kubrick's Paths of Glory).
The lead role was given to new star Dustin Hoffman (also fresh off The Graduate), joined by Faye Dunaway, Martin Balsam (Hitchcock's Psycho, 12 Angry Men), and Richard Mulligan (TV's Soap). For the important role of tribal leader Old Lodge Skins, Penn originally approached esteemed Oscar-winners like Brando and Laurence Olivier, but after being turned down went with an actual Native American, the poet and activist Chief Dan George, 71 years-old at the time.
In order to play his character at various ages from a teenager to centenarian, Hoffman was worked on by makeup artist Dick Smith (The Exorcist, The Godfather), using groundbreaking advancements in the field. The film was shot on location in Montana and Alberta, Canada by cinematographer Harry Stradling, Jr. The production design was by Dean Tavoularis (The Godfather films), and editing was done by Penn's Bonnie and Clyde collaborator Dede Allen.
Not only does the film subvert conventions of the classic western, but openly mocks them, blending its satire with a pointed condemnation of Manifest Destiny. It is also one of the first Hollywood films to unequivocally portray Native Americans as victims in their long-standing conflict with the American government and pioneers, while at the same time providing a warmer, fuller look at their culture. All the extras were played by actual Native Americans.
The film was released to positive reviews and was a success at the box office. Chief Dan George received Best Supporting Actor honors from the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics, as well as an Academy Award nomination. In 2014 Little Big Man was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.
Running time is approx 2 hrs, 15 min.
A 121 year-old man tells his fantastical life story as a white child raised by Native Americans, and his brushes with famous historical figures of the Old West.
Director Arthur Penn began his career in the theatre and then with television dramas before moving into films, where he was working with high-profile actors like Paul Newman, Anne Bancroft, Warren Beatty, and Marlon Brando right from the beginning. His huge breakthrough came with 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, considered the first shot fired in the "New Hollywood" movement.
Penn's first film of the next decade would be a "revisionist western" emblematic of the time period, a sub-genre where white settlers' complicated relationship with Native Americans was more closely analyzed, long-standing myths were deconstructed, and parallels were often drawn to the United States' current involvement in Vietnam. A best-selling novel by author Thomas Berger was adapted by screenwriter Calder Willingham (The Graduate, Kubrick's Paths of Glory).
The lead role was given to new star Dustin Hoffman (also fresh off The Graduate), joined by Faye Dunaway, Martin Balsam (Hitchcock's Psycho, 12 Angry Men), and Richard Mulligan (TV's Soap). For the important role of tribal leader Old Lodge Skins, Penn originally approached esteemed Oscar-winners like Brando and Laurence Olivier, but after being turned down went with an actual Native American, the poet and activist Chief Dan George, 71 years-old at the time.
Not only does the film subvert conventions of the classic western, but openly mocks them, blending its satire with a pointed condemnation of Manifest Destiny. It is also one of the first Hollywood films to unequivocally portray Native Americans as victims in their long-standing conflict with the American government and pioneers, while at the same time providing a warmer, fuller look at their culture. All the extras were played by actual Native Americans.
The film was released to positive reviews and was a success at the box office. Chief Dan George received Best Supporting Actor honors from the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics, as well as an Academy Award nomination. In 2014 Little Big Man was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.
Running time is approx 2 hrs, 15 min.
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