MovieChat Forums > A Man Called Horse (1970) Discussion > The Ritual Scene *Spoilers*

The Ritual Scene Spoilers

posted 18 years ago by milo_pie2002
14 replies | jump to latest

First I have to say that the scene in where Richard Harris is suspended by his chest is one of the most jaw-dropping scenes I have ever seen in a movie. I didn't think it was particularly gory, more squeemish, I just have never seen anything like it in a film before, and especially didn't expect it in an old film like this one.

Question: how on earth did they film that sequence? It looked so real! The way the skin stretches is so creepy! This may be my complete ignorance of Indian culture at full force here, but is that a real custom/ritual that was practiced?

I'm suprised no one else is talking about this film. This scene should have its place in cinema history!

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

Thanks very much for the explanation. It's amazing to me that this was not Richard Harris hanging by his flesh, because it certainly looked realistic to me. That's a very intense scene, but a very significant one, and the fact that we have a strong buildup to it puts it in its proper context. This is indeed very powerful filmmaking and decades ahead of its time.

[–] gonzoforsherriff 18 years ago

There is also a ritual that is done during The Sundance wherein the participant runs backwards in an attempt to rip out the pegs in his chest. He dances and runs backwards until this is achieved, sometimes this can take days. The overall point of having the pegs ripped out is to sacrifice ones flesh to the Gods.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] mopar-11 18 years ago

The Lakota did the Sundance ritual, as performed in "Return of a Man Called Horse" They did not hang the initiate. The Mandan Indians, however, did hang them. From the front or the back. And they could not cry out, if they did, they failed. If they held true, then they were cut down and they crawled over to a shaeman, who would then cut off the pinky finger as a sign of endurance and exceptance.
Although that aspect is inacurate in "A Man Called Horse", it is still(ironically) an honest film about Indians. Showing them as human beings, not as animals or as gods on earth, but just people. I have read Lakota critics that say the language is inacurate, and they condemn the film. It's thier culture and have a right to bitch. But I think it is still a great film, and far superior to suedo-Vietnam,PC-laden "Little Big Man"

[–] Studman_Productions 18 years ago

Gruesome!

[–] aldrears1 17 years ago

I could not agree more. When I was in 5th grade, my school showed this scene at our weekly assembly. All of the kids freaked out! The teachers apologized for showing it to us...I'm so glad they did! I've never forgotten that scene, indelibly etched in my memory.

I had always wondered how they filmed that. Thanks for the other posters for shedding some light on that scene.

[–] milo_pie2002 17 years ago

Why on earth did they show the school that at assembly? If it was in a cinema's study class and you watched the whole film, maybe; but, I just find that bizarre, especially given how gruesome that scene is...

SALAD PRODUCTIONS
Tossed for the very first time!

[–] bilybong76 17 years ago

I have heard a few people say the chest hanging scene is what most people first remember about this movie. That is so true I saw this when I was like 5 years old and that is the only thing I can remember about it.

[–] rwsmith29456 14 years ago

I think that the idea that such a ritual was most extreme and voluntary source of pain to a spiritual end. Movies like this were so much better than just trying to out-gore other movies.

[–] IggyStooge 14 years ago

It is a pretty disturbing scene. I still can't even believe that the movie poster is of that scene.

[–] WarpedRecord 14 years ago

Yes, it is surprising it's on the poster, but maybe that's a good thing to give a heads-up for what was in the film. This movie and that scene takes viewers to a place most have never been before, and while it is graphic, it is amazingly directed, even beautiful at times for the imagery (outside of the hooks, of course), and crucial to the story. I wish there was anything as groundbreaking as this film today.

[–] lambiepie-2 14 years ago

The original poster is correct, this film should be counted as among the greats in cinema.

But going a bit beyond the film..I gotta express my sheer disappointment with many of the posters here. Nix the part of the white man becoming a leader of the Indians...that may be pure fantasy. The the rituals...are not. Let me suggest that it is very important to take upper classes to expand knowledge beyond film (as this film does educate, but check facts!) such as a Religions of the World and Anthropology to start. Some posters have already given a wealth of knowledge about Indian Rituals. While the ritual may be disturbing, it is what it is. Take a moment to learn more. Sometimes, that's what films can lead you to do.

White cat. Black cat. Who cares as long as it catches mice?

[–] Jabberwoc 9 years ago

Search (ctrl+f) this article for "1970".

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/sep/07/guardianobituaries.filmnew s

"Tortoise? What's that?"