Jeremiah Johnson

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Jeremiah Johnson

PG

Released Sep 10, 1972

1h 47m

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A Mexican-American War veteran, Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford), heads to the mountains to live in isolation. Woefully unequipped for the task at hand, Johnson is fortunate to come across a seasoned mountain man (Will Geer) willing to teach him the necessary survival tactics. As life continues in the mountains, Johnson finds himself a native bride (Delle Bolton) and an adopted son (Josh Albee). However, their peaceful existence is threatened when Johnson incurs the ire of the Crow Indians.

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Critics Consensus

Jeremiah Johnson's deliberate pace demands an investment from the viewer, but it's rewarded with a thoughtful drama anchored by a starring performance from Robert Redford.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Maybe Redford and [Pollack] really believe they’re doing something different from the conventional new, brutally ‘‘realistic’” Westerns, because Jeremiah Johnson crawls through the wilderness at a snail’s pace and is stretched out with ponderous lore.

Sep 29, 2023

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

The dialogue is spare, the scenery the real star. Satisfying and impressive.

Nov 17, 2017

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Marcel Meyer

Austin Chronicle

A gritty, cinematic tall tale that resonates across geography, time, and the loneliest regions of the solitary heart.

Nov 17, 2017

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Richard Schertzer

ScreenAnarchy

You won't be able to take your eyes off this epic masterpiece for one second. It takes you on a thrill-ride of your life and never lets go.

Jul 25, 2023

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Christopher Hudson

The Spectator

Anyone who likes looking at Robert Redford or mountain landscapes or both will be very happy.

Nov 17, 2017

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Sky Cinema

Episodic in structure, the film is kept constantly interesting by its director who fills the screen with colourful little anecdotes

Nov 17, 2017

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Mary S

Hello , as a kid living in Sydney Australia I loved watching good westerns, loved seeing the country of the USA, how people with a horse and survival skills , explored the inland. Jeremiah Johnson, is one of those films, I'm biased when praising Robert Redford , a man of incredible story telling. He seems in sink with nature, his voice is beautiful. As an adult I visited USA a few times to see Yellowstone , Grand canyon , and the National parks, MT Rushmore. Never watched a poor performance by Robert Redford . I will be very sad when he no longer walks this planet. Mary Studdert

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

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K K

Now classic movie about the frontier, survival and isolation. Now often considered a piece of cinema history. Harkens back to a time when people were cut from a different kind of cloth. Enjoyable tale that stands the test of time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

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terence s

Well... I don't blame people for being angry in their reviews. Just navigating the process to get here is enough to test the strongest of humans. The reviews are so completely different that I suspect there are two movies called Jeremiah Johnson. The one I watched was not as bad as some said, but not as great as some said. Film is visual, to be watched. If you can not tell a story without having actors talking for 116 minutes your in the wrong business. I know people are now used to quick cutting, a scene lasting a few seconds, not allowing a scene to breathe. I say slow down, enjoy the movie. My test of a good movie is, will I watch it again. This one I will watch again. Thank you for your time. TWS.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Lukas M

Watched this movie with my dad the first time a couple years back and became obsessed with it and got the disc a week later.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

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Michael S

It's like poetry; This movie is a western of its own breed. Yeah, its slow. Yeah, it doesn't have a lot of dialogue. However it does have great scenery, music, and memorable characters. The slow burn is SO GOOD! Also, don't forget this movie is based on a real life person.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/24

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Lewie J

What on Earth? Utter drivel. A story less bore. A man gets soaked in a freezing river, fails to light a fire, miraculously dries overnight. Shoots a marauding bear with a long barrel rifle in a wooden cabin. I could go on.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/11/24

Full Review

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Sydney Pollack

Director

Robert Redford

Jeremiah Johnson

Will Geer

Bear Claw

Stefan Gierasch

Del Gue

Allyn Ann McLerie

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Synopsis

A Mexican-American War veteran, Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford), heads to the mountains to live in isolation. Woefully unequipped for the task at hand, Johnson is fortunate to come across a seasoned mountain man (Will Geer) willing to teach him the necessary survival tactics. As life continues in the mountains, Johnson finds himself a native bride (Delle Bolton) and an adopted son (Josh Albee). However, their peaceful existence is threatened when Johnson incurs the ire of the Crow Indians.

Director: Sydney Pollack
Producer: Joe Wizan
Screenwriter: John Milius, Edward Anhalt
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 1972, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 1972
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 47m

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