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.