Dustin Hoffman excels in Arthur Penn’s brilliant black comedy. Crinkle-chopped and heavy of heart, he’s 121-year-old Jack Crabb, recalling a life of laughter and loss, spent at the sharp end of the American West. Adopted by the Cheyenne when his family are killed, he lives as whitey or Injun according to who’s trying to off him.
By framing the action within a satiric tall tale, Penn avoids preaching, even when handling real-life genocide. Key to this is the portrayal of General George Armstrong Custer (Richard Mulligan); presented as a war criminal who’s both hateful and humorous, he leads his men into murder, while surreally suffering “poison of the gonads”. But in the mirth there’s emotion, as when the Cheyenne are massacred to jaunty marching-band music. A real one-off.
DVD Extras:
None.
