Jeremiah Johnson
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Movie Reviews of Jeremiah Johnson
Movie Review: Jeremiah Johnson
Summary: 5 Stars
This is, hands down, one of my fovorite movies of all times. I've seen it at least a dozen times and never tire of it. It's a beautiful story, set, I believe, in the late 1800's/early 1900's about a man born in the East who is drawn to the mountains of the West, to live as a "Mountain Man". If you are into that period of history, and the lifestyle of a Mountain Man in that period of history, you'll find it to be a wonderful movie. Movie Review: Still on my best list
Summary: 4 Stars
First saw "Jeremiah Johnson" when it was released in the theatres in 1972-was captivated by it so much then that a friend of mine and I stayed in the largely empty theatre and sat through it a second time. Since 1972, I've probably rewatched this movie more often than any other, and after 35 years, I've come to the conclusion that what makes it one of my all-time favorite films is something more than the sum of its parts.
The movie is only loosely based on the real-life exploits of John Garrison (aka John Johnson, maybe Johnston, but only Jeremiah in the movies), a legendary mountan man/trapper whose heyday was from about 1840 to 1880, before "settling down" and even becoming the sheriff of Red Lodge, Montana at the turn of the century. He died at age 72, and after initially being buried in a military cemetery in Los Angeles(he was a Civil War vet), was re-interred at his final resting place in Cody, Wyoming. Robert Redford served as one of his pall-bearers at his re-burial. I have researched Garrison/Johnson extensively since 1972, and it is perhaps final testimony to the legend that precious little (in the way of verifiable facts) is known about him; the real mountan men weren't around for publicity. The most cited book about his life ( "Crow Killer", by Raymond Thorpe) is widely considered hogwash for the most part, by the so-called modern expert historians of the Old West. But who's to say? It may well be that only the most unbelievable parts are true, and the legend may even be smaller than the real man. "And some folks say....he's up there still."
Now, the movie, after 35 years of reflection, as to why I still watch it several times a year: it does suffer from not being seen on the big screen, as one of the stars of the movie is the Uintah Mountain scenery where it was mostly filmed. This is a movie of undeniable atmosphere, with sight and sound being paramount to its spell. And by sound I mean mostly the sparse, unsentimental lyrics of Tim McIntyre's songs, and the beautiful soundtrack, which enhances every scene. There is perhaps the least actual dialogue between principal characters that you will ever see in a film, but again, this adds to the ambiance of the High Lonely, and seems realistic for the time and sort of men these were. No tenderfoots here.
The acting is first rate, and the casting spot-on as well. I have read that Redford himself has always considered "Jeremiah Johnson" one of his favorite roles, and it shows in his heart-felt performance. Acting without words most of the film, he is at his best.
There are numerous memorable visual images from this gorgeously shot film, but perhaps the most lingering for me is of Johnson's steely face, viewed through the flames of his wilderness cabin as it burns away the remains of his wife, his adopted son, and his briefly happy existence in the wild. We know then that what will happen next ain't gonna be pretty.
The story line roughly parallels what is known of the real Johnson's life, but again with a lot of Hollywood revisions, though the overall effect is still satisfying, and the story never drags or seems dull.
But after saying all this, there are many other movies I've seen over the years that have some or all of these elements, but have failed to captivate me the way this movie has. And so it seems to me that the enduring quality of "Jeremiah Johnson" is more than the sum of its parts- and I think what that is, is an intense sense of LONGING that pervades this movie.....longing for something better, something more meaningful, something probably spiritual, to realize in this life. In Johnson's acerbic words' "It oughter been DIFFERENT."
This is a great western classic, but in a very subdued, unique way. It will not appeal to everyone, even to many fans of the western genre. I'm not sure I even classify it as a western, myself. It's from that period of time when life was hard, but beautiful, and before the industrialization of the mind of man.....but it has a transcendent quality that will always make us want to go back.
Only reason I only give it 4 stars is I wish it had been longer.
Highly recommended, and nothing in it that I would be reluctant for my wife and kids to watch, either.
Movie Review: Jeremiah will keep you weeping...
Summary: 5 Stars
Spectacular scenery and Redford never looked better, but SAD....
Chronicles the challenges and losses of a man who turns to the wilderness to find himself.
Did I mention it was sad?
Still vey worth watching.
Movie Review: Back in the day. . .
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm an English teacher, trying to introduce American Literature in a friendly way to a media-sabotaged generation who think movies must say and tell all, leaving nothing to the imagination. Here is a movie made when movies were movies, made with care and accuracy, multi-thematically rich: man vs. nature, inter-racial marriage, and outcasts combining perfectly into a believable family. Redford is incredible, his 'squaw' is every bit his equal in portraying innocence and youth forced into a marriage she didn't choose, and 'Caleb' says everything without saying a single word. How did they do this? Done in a day when movies were magic and sheer talent filled the screen. Where has all the magic gone, long time passing. . .Movie Review: One tough naturalist.
Summary: 5 Stars
Robert Redford plays Jeremiah Johnson,in the 1880's ?, a man not content to live among the people in the lowlands. To the mountains he went to live.
He meets an old mountain man and learns tips for survival .Never staying to long in one place he meets another man left for dead by a group of Crow Indians. The man is obnoxius and a louse. Liking to travel light and happiest alone, he ends up married with an Indian wife and saddled with an orphaned boy. The boy won't talk and the Indian wife cant speak english. He is a patient man and begins to draw the traumatized boy out of his shell. The Indian wife is patient as well and begins to gain Jeremiahs love. Jeremiah learns to love his strange family. A band of savage Indians, Crows again, ambushes the cabin when he is not there and murders his family.
Jeremiah becomes consumed with rage and thirsty for revenge he hunts down the Crows and kills them. Finally when his revenge is satiated he becomes again what he was before a loner in the mountains.
This is a beautiful film and a complex story you may need to watch it 2 or 6 times, because its just so enjoyable.