I just read an account of Robert Redford stating that one of his takes at the end of the movie where he gnashed his teeth at Paints-His-Shirt-Red was inadvertent and was the one that wound up in the film. When I saw it, I felt he was containing his rage and showing a measure of respect for his Crow Indian foe long after his Flathead wife Swan (Delle Bolton) and companion Caleb (Josh Albee) were slain by the Indian or one of his tribe. It was a way for the viewer to comprehend that Jeremiah Johnson understood that the Crow revenge for going through their sacred burial ground was to their way of thinking justified. At least that's what I got out of it.

After watching the movie, one gets the impression that getting back to nature might not be the best idea going. At least not 1800's style. Hunting, trapping and freezing to death to make a living is not the panacea one might envision in a wistful reverie about living off the land. Of course the Indian threat is much less today, but surviving brutal winters outdoors is never fun. It's been below zero every morning where I live for the past week.

What's never made clear in the story is why Jeremiah Johnson gave up on civilization in the first place. One could come up with a few ideas but they'd be only guesses. A brief mention is made of the Mexican War but Johnson didn't have a problem with violence when you come right down to it. I would like to have better understood his motivation.

The picture is gorgeously filmed and the scenery is outstanding. As a man without a plan, Johnson winds up wherever life takes him meeting colorful characters along the way. There's a sort of romanticism to it in it's own way, but always slammed with a harsh measure of reality every time other human beings are involved.

This extraordinary Western results to be a slice of life about a hermit man and a hostile environment .The picture narrates the odyssey of an adventurer that one time dreary of civilization goes to Rocky Mountains becoming into mountain man , a young who is part of the wildlife of the landscape.He early develops his senses from his first feeble and failed attempts at survival to an expert hunter who shoots efficiently his preys and turning into an exciting new myth , the great Jeremiah Johnson . When he trespasses holy land is continuously pursued by Indians and vice versa, because he seeks vengeance , going on a relentless chase. Meanwhile the Indians attack his farm. Crow Indians set out to track down the mountain man on savage raids until an inconclusive final .

Solid western with interesting events , violent fights , emotions , thrills and spectacular outdoors . From the initiation until the final are proceeded continuous battles against nature and a survival fighting versus wintry wilderness , enemy trappers and savage Indians, among others . The story is a crossover of various films, the battle against nature of ¨Man of a wilderness land¨ and Indians as ¨ Man called horse ¨ and the obstinacy and stubbornness of relentless enemies who fight with no rest such as ¨The duelists¨. The magnificent cast is starred by an excellent Robert Redford , a simple man who has no taste for cities and becomes a tough and two fisted mountain man obsessed a bloody revenge . Supporting cast is featured by various actors in brief performances as Jack Colvin , Matt Clark , Charles Tyner and special mention to Will Geer as feisty old trapper . Splendid cinematography in Panavision and glimmer Technicolor by Duke Callagham as is reflected on spectacular outdoors filmed in sighting, rousing natural parks from Rocky Mountains. Lively and evocative musical score by usual secondary actor John Rubinstein and beautiful songs by also actor Tim McIntire . The motion picture is stunningly directed by the recently deceased Sidney Pollack (Yazuka, Three days of the condor, Way we were, Out of Africa). Rating : Better than average . This outstanding film will appeal to Robert Redford fans and landscape lovers .