Little Big Man

Arthur Penn's film of Thomas Berger's bestselling novel demystifies the old west with it's funny, chaotic portrayal one man's experiences in its closing days. Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman), a 121-year-old Indian living in a rest home, relates his incredible life experiences. According to Crabb's somewhat fanciful tales, he was raised by the Cheyenne from the age of 10 only to be seized by the whites at age 15, followed by a string of failed attempts to find a place for himself in the world. These attempts would bring Jack into contact with (among many others) Wild Bill Hickok, the U. S. Cavalry, a former preacher's wife turned prostitute, his own spunky sister-frontierswoman, and General George Armstrong Custer during the Battle of Little Big Horn. The result is a funny, spiritual film which puts forth a humane view of the plight of Native Americans. Academy Award Nominations: Best Supporting Actor--Chief Dan George.