Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  108 Minutes (DVD Version: 116 Minutes)

Rated: GP

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western

Director: Sydney Pollack

Starring: Robert Redford, Will Geer, Delle Bolton, Josh Albee, Joaquin Martinez, Allyn Ann McLerie, Jack Colvin

IMDB Rank: 7.6/10

Part 1 Time:   74 Minutes (DVD Version: 77 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:   34 Minutes (DVD Version: 39 Minutes)

***One of the shortest films to include an official intermission. It is unknown whether director Sydney Pollack intended for the film to be longer.

Where does the first part end? Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford) and the US Cavalry have encountered an Aboriginal (Crow) burial ground. In order to save the settlers they must pass through the Aboriginal (Crow) burial ground.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Keep them quiet” Lieutenant Mulvey (Jack Colvin) relays orders to his men.

First line of dialogue on the second part: No dialogue, Jeremiah Johnson and the US Calvary quietly make their way through the Aboriginal (Crow) burial ground.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, at this point in the film Jeremiah Johnson has become a successful trapper within the Rocky Mountain area. He has a peaceful relationship with the various aboriginal groups who live within the area. But his decision to cross through the aboriginal burial ground could be met with dire consequences moving forward. How will this action impact Jeremiah’s peaceful relationship with the Crow aboriginal?

Which part is better? Part one is better as we are able to capture the conditions and harsh environments that trappers had to endure. We are able to see what it takes to be a mountain man (someone who supports themselves as a trapper).

Academy Awards: None