Little VERY Big Man

Over the years, many directors have tried to create the most authentic and captivating feel on how wars have corrupt the soul as well as destroying innocent lives. I have seen many of those movies from, Jarhead to Casualties of War and I would also consider District 9 under one of those categories as it somewhat based on the apartheid era but Little Big Man by Arthur Penn and starring Dustin Hoffman during his younger days is not only exceptional at captivating those feelings, it is one of the most meaningful as well as comical movies of the seventies. Although it's not really one of those categories of war movies, it has somehow managed to capture those emotions in me and I have come to believe it is truly one of the best representation of the American Red Indians and the old wild west.

So Little Big Man story revolves around Dustin Hoffman character Jack Crabb who is about a 100 years old and is being interviewed by a collector of oral histories interested in lifestyle and history of the Red Indians. Jack begins his unusual tale of heroics as well as mishaps from being captured and raised by Indians till his days of being a scout for General George Armstrong Custer at Little Big Horn. Jack narration is both humorous and deeply touching giving a real story book experience of how my grandfather used to tell me stories of his glory days in the Malaysian police force after world war two.

The cinematography is also well taken and Dustin Hoffman brings out humor from his dialogue to his unusual antics as Jack Crab while meeting famous historical figures such as Wild Bill Hickok (Jeff Corey) and General George Armstrong Custer (Richard Mulligan). Although anti-hero characters have only been really popular recently such as movies from Man on Fire or The Dark Knight, Jack Crab is a unusual anti-hero that has the skilled of an arm vigilante lacking the bravery to face his fears. The themes and elements showed in this movie is really captivating and awe inspiring such as the scenes of Jack Crabb standing up against his fears and understanding what it means to be a human being. The movie may have some inconstancies with its historical basis or portrayal but this movie has all the important elements and themes to cover its flaws with great acting from Hoffman, Chief Dan George and most of its stellar cast.

Hoffman truly deserved the Oscar for this movie but the true star of this movie comes down to the Cheyenne people and Chief Dan Gorge portrayal of Old Lodge Skins who I believed should have really won the Oscars for the Best Actor in a supporting role. Overall Little Big Man is a classic that should not be missed. It has the themes, morale values and the perfect message that tells audience facing your fears is your priority as well as telling audience that being little does not stop you from having a big mans heart.