A Man Called Horse is a 1970 American Western film starring Richard Harris and directed by Elliot Silverstein. The film is based on a short story, "A Man Called Horse", published in 1968 in the book Indian Country by Dorothy M. Johnson. Partially spoken in Sioux, the film tells the history of an English aristocrat, John Morgan, who is captured by a Native American tribe. Initially enslaved and mocked by being treated as the animal of the title, Morgan comes to respect his captors' culture and gain their respect. He is aided in understanding the Sioux by a captive, Batise, the tribe's fool,... who had tried to escape and was hamstrung behind one knee. When one of the warriors takes a vow never to retreat in battle, Morgan's changing perspective is shown, as he turns angrily on the uncomprehending Batise, telling him "Five years you've lived here, and you've learned nothing about these people – all his death is to you is a means of escape." Determining that his only chance of freedom is to gain the respect of the tribe, he overcomes his repugnance and kills two warriors from another tribe, which allows him to claim warrior status.
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| Release date: | April 28, 1970 |
| Directed by: | Elliot Silverstein |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 114 Minutes |
| Producer: | Sandy Howard |
| Editor: | Philip W. Anderson |
| Music by: | Leonard Rosenman |
| Cinematography: | Gabriel Torres |
| Screenplay by: | Dorothy M. Johnson |
| Genre: | Western, Adventure |