Little Big Man (1970) [PG]

A great romp of a movie. Dustin Hoffman is Jack Crabb, an 121-year-old man who recounts the story of his life, which is the story of how the West was settled. His adventures include life as a pioneer, an adopted Indian, a storekeeper, a gunman, and a friend of Wild Bill Hickok and many others, both real and fictional. Full of comedy, tragedy, history, and coincidences straight from Charles Dickens, this movie will charm you.

Usually a movie of this scope is called an "epic," but this film is so human that even though it covers a century, you won't feel the reserve that often accompanies the "epic." You'll laugh hard and soak your tissues! And forever more, you will call your children Contrary Indians!

Dustin Hoffman, as always, really shines, as he ages from a teen to the ancient man he ends up as. The many other actors you'll recognize are also wonderful. Keep an eye out for Chief Dan George as Old Lodge Skins (who was nominated for an Oscar), Richard Mulligan as General Custer (with a different take than had been portrayed up until then), and Faye Dunaway as Mrs. Pendrake. Probably the only bad thing in this movie is the awful makeup they put on Dustin to make him look 121-years old, which was considered a masterpiece of makeup artistry at the time.(See photo at right.)

DIRECTOR: Arthur Penn.  CAST: Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Martin Balsam, Richard Mulligan, Chief Dan George, Jeff Corey, Alan Oppenheimer, Aimee Eccles, William Hickey.

AWARDS: Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations.