Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

Jeremiah Johnson is a 1972 American Western film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Redford in the titular role. The movie is based on the semi-legendary life of a real mountain man, John “Liver-Eating” Johnston, and draws inspiration from two primary sources: Raymond Thorp and Robert Bunker’s biographical book Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson and Vardis Fisher’s novel Mountain Man. It is a thoughtful, episodic tale of survival, revenge, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of the rugged Rocky Mountains.

Plot Overview

The story begins with Jeremiah Johnson, a disillusioned veteran of the Mexican-American War, who decides to leave civilization behind and live as a hermit in the wilderness. He ventures into the Rocky Mountains to become a trapper and survive off the land. However, his lack of experience in such harsh conditions makes his first winter extremely challenging.

1. Early Struggles and Mentorship
   Jeremiah initially struggles to adapt to mountain life. His fortunes change when he encounters two pivotal characters:
   • Hatchet Jack, whose frozen corpse provides Jeremiah with a .50-caliber Hawken rifle.
   • Bear Claw Chris Lapp, an eccentric but experienced mountain man played by Will Geer. Bear Claw teaches Jeremiah essential survival skills, including hunting and coexisting with Native American tribes.
2. Encounters with Native Americans
   Jeremiah has several interactions with Native American tribes throughout the film:
   • He earns respect from Paints-His-Shirt-Red, a Crow chief, after offering an elk as tribute.
   • Later, he inadvertently becomes entangled in tribal politics when he marries Swan, a Flathead chief’s daughter, as part of an honor exchange.
3. Building a Family
   Over time, Jeremiah forms an unconventional family:
   • He adopts Caleb, a mute boy orphaned by Blackfoot warriors.
   • He marries Swan (played by Delle Bolton), despite their initial inability to communicate due to cultural differences. Together with Caleb, they build a cabin and begin living peacefully as a family.
4. Tragedy Strikes
   This idyllic life is shattered when Jeremiah reluctantly agrees to guide U.S. Cavalry soldiers through sacred Crow burial grounds to rescue stranded settlers. Despite his warnings about desecrating sacred land, the soldiers proceed through the burial site. Upon returning home, Jeremiah discovers that his wife Swan and adopted son Caleb have been brutally murdered by Crow warriors seeking revenge for this sacrilege.
5. Vendetta Against the Crow Tribe
   Consumed by grief and guilt over his family’s deaths, Jeremiah embarks on a relentless vendetta against the Crow tribe:
   • He kills numerous Crow warriors sent to ambush him in single combat.
   • Over time, his legend grows among both settlers and Native Americans as he becomes known for his unmatched survival skills and ability to defeat any opponent.
6. Resolution
   After years of conflict with the Crow tribe:
   • The attacks cease when Paints-His-Shirt-Red approaches Jeremiah in peace during their final encounter.
   • In this wordless moment of mutual respect between adversaries, their feud comes to an end.

The film concludes ambiguously with Jeremiah continuing his solitary existence in the mountains while being regarded as both feared and revered by those who know of him.

Themes

1. Man vs Nature:
   The film explores humanity’s struggle against nature’s unforgiving elements as Jeremiah learns how to survive in one of Earth’s harshest environments.
2. Isolation:
   As much as Jeremiah seeks solitude away from civilization’s corruption and violence, he finds that isolation comes at great emotional cost.
3. Revenge vs Redemption:
   The movie delves into themes of vengeance following personal loss but ultimately suggests that peace can be achieved through understanding rather than endless cycles of violence.
4. Cultural Respect:
   While not without its flaws typical of 1970s cinema (e.g., casting non-Native actors for Indigenous roles), Jeremiah Johnson portrays Native American customs with some degree of reverence compared to earlier Westerns.

Production Details

1. Filming Locations:
   The movie was shot entirely on location across nearly 100 sites in Utah’s breathtaking wilderness areas such as Zion National Park, Snow Canyon State Park, Mount Timpanogos Wilderness Area, Ashley National Forest, Sundance Resort (owned by Redford), among others.
2. Challenges During Filming:
   The production faced extreme weather conditions during filming:
   • Heavy snowfalls made shooting difficult.
   • Director Sydney Pollack had limited resources due to budget constraints but managed to create visually stunning cinematography showcasing vast landscapes.
3. Music Score:
   Composed by Tim McIntire and John Rubinstein (both primarily actors), the score combines folk-style songs with orchestral elements that reflect both melancholy and grandeur fitting for this meditative Western tale.

Critical Reception

Upon its release in 1972:

• The film received widespread acclaim for its cinematography (shot by Duke Callaghan) and Robert Redford’s performance.
• Critics praised its deliberate pacing that allowed viewers to immerse themselves fully into Johnson’s journey.
• It grossed $44 million at the box office against its modest $3 million budget—making it one of Warner Bros.’ most successful films that year.
• Today it holds high ratings on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes (91%) for its thoughtful storytelling anchored by Redford’s compelling portrayal.

Legacy

1. Jeremiah Johnson remains one of Robert Redford’s most iconic roles—a performance that solidified him as one of Hollywood’s leading men during the 1970s.
2. Its influence extended beyond cinema; it inspired other works about mountain men such as Grizzly Adams while also becoming part of pop culture thanks to memes like Redford’s nodding gif from this film.
3. The movie continues to resonate for its timeless themes about humanity’s relationship with nature and resilience amidst adversity.