Little Big Man

According to the movie tagline, Little Big Man is "Either the Most Neglected Hero in History or a Liar of Insane Proportion!" To me, this movie is funny and sweet and tragic. At the beginning of the film, we see 121 years old Jack Crabb being interviewed by a journalist collecting oral histories. Armed with a voice recorder and questions, he proceeds to ask Jack about his past. It turns out that Jack has had a more than interesting life. He weaves an incredible tale of being kidnapped and raised by the Cheyenne, his stint as a gunslinger, and his role in the Battle of Little Bighorn. Jack's life in the west is no less than amazing. One couldn't even begin to jot down every detail that happens. Trust me when I say that you just have to see it! Playing the role of Jack Crabb is Dustin Hoffman. He portrays Crabb with complete aplomb. I couldn't imagine any other actor in this role. He goes from teenage boy to old man before your very eyes and does so convincingly. Joining him on his journey is a veritable who's who in the acting world such as Faye Dunaway, Martin Balsam, Richard Mulligan and William Hickey. Hoffman wears some of the most incredible old age make-up on celluloid. Make-up artist Dick Smith created such articulated make-up using foam latex that Hoffman could blink his eyes and the make-up would move with him. That doesn't sound like a big deal by today's standards but this movie was made in 1970 when CGI effects didn't exist let alone CGI make-up (see Bill Nighy in Pirates of the Caribbean for an example). Make-up artists were expected to get things as perfect as possible and Smith definitely got it perfect. This movie is based on the book by the same name written by Thomas Berger. The screenplay is by Calder Willingham who wrote the screenplays for such movies as The Bridge on the River Kwai (uncredited), The Graduate (with Buck Henry) and Paths of Glory (with Stanley Kubrick and Jim Thompson). Directing the movie is Arthur Penn who directed the critically acclaimed movies The Miracle Worker, Bonnie and Clyde, and Alice's Restaurant. This movie is one of those rare gems in the movie world where everything comes together at the right time to create a great work of art.