Jeremiah Johnson

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Matthew D A riveting tale of survival, romance, and revenge. Director Sydney Pollack’s survival Western drama Jeremiah Johnson is a quietly thoughtful epic on the purpose of life and understanding of others. Pollack captures an old Americana feel with wide open spaces, natural forest, harsh elements, endearing wildlife, peaceful Native Americans, Native braves, and a hero journeying for peace. Pollack demonstrates impressive restraint as he uses far wide shots mostly to establish the vastness of the natural surroundings of the Utah reserves and forest for his old Colorado setting. The few close-ups in the film reveal a sadness and nuance in Johnson’s character as he ponders his purpose in becoming a mountain man. Robert Redford is incredible and engrossing as the lead. His subtle skillful acting display Redford’s range as he must make the audience care for the unyielding Johnson. Redford portrays the folk legend as a man of reservations, skill, and fury. He demonstrates various survival skills like building a house, cutting down trees, beaver trapping, river fishing, starting a fire, skinning a bear, shooting an elk, and fighting for your life again bears, wolves, and men alike. Redford gives you all his curiosity for the outdoors as you feel a passion for survival and Westerns from Redford whether he is wrapping himself up in a fur blanket or staring at a Native American woman. Redford’s action prowess is gripping as he ambushes so many Natives as Johnson seeking revenge that you are awe struck by his furious temper and cautious approach. Redford thus embodies Johnson’s love of nature and useful combat experience in his portrayal. Thomas Stanford’s editing keeps you hypnotized by the formidable wilderness. His editing reaches its creative zenith with the first revenge killing committed by Johnson as Stanford cuts right after each attack motion from Redford. So he creates a fluid violent wave of murder with his smooth editing choices here. Likewise, Duke Callaghan’s cinematography is always fascinating, but I love his work on keeping the elk at a distance on the horizon of the frame and Redford up close for the shooting. This creates a distance from the dead animals and reminds you of the focus needed by Johnson, the engaging performance by Redford, and the skillful creativity of Pollack. Tim McIntire and John Rubinstein’s score for Jeremiah Johnston is an eclectic arrangement of emotional classical passages. They underscore trauma with strings that mellow out underneath all the pain on screen. The soaring melodies rise and swell during the sweeping panning shots of nature that Johnson traverses throughout the film. As beautiful and affecting as the classical score is, the aspect most viewers will note is the folk songs written about Jeremiah Johnson that play in the beginning and at the end to mark the film’s tone and themes. Will Geer is hilarious and friendly as the survival expert that mentors Johnson named Bear Claw. Allyn Ann McLerie is heartbreaking as the grieving Crazy Woman. Stefan Gierasch is intriguing as the wild and gruff mountain man who befriends Johnson named Del Gue. Delle Bolton is lovely as Swan, but it’s her sorrowful performance from her eyes that are the perfect companion and foil for Redford’s swarthy survivor and gruff heartthrob Johnson. Overall, Jeremiah Johnson is a classic Western film from director Sydney Pollack at his directorial height. Robert Redford is always endearing and likable with his easy charm and focused nuanced acting. This is one to seek out if you have never spent a few hours with Jeremiah Johnson. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/25 Full Review Davot I Dobar film kojem nedostaje kreativne snage u njegovoj standardnoj zanatskoj režiji . Možda najbolje Redfordovo glumačko ostvarenje koje otkriva ekscentričnu dimenziju njegove osobnosti. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/17/25 Full Review Rob K I first saw this film when I was about 10, after my Grandfather told me tales about the mountain man called "Liver Eating Johnson" which basically followed the storyline of Jeremiah Johnson, without the eating of livers. I have seen it so many times since I have much of the dialog memorized. This is one of, if not, my favorite films. It covers struggle, kindness, happiness, sadness, revenge and redemption. Redford's acting is impeccable and Will Geer will make you wish you have a friend like his character in the movie. I watch it at least once a year. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/17/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/16/25 Full Review Audience Member Pretty messed up film man. I liked it a lot, the ending left me feeling wanting more. 4.5/5 stars. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/10/25 Full Review 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 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/21/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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