Just perfect...

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

JEREMIAH JOHNSON is a leisurely-paced and enthralling true-life 'mountain man' story directed by the reliable Sydney Pollack and starring the excellent Robert Redford as a man who decides to get away from the humdrum existence of society life and literally retire to a cabin in the mountains. The film chronicles his encounters with various oddball characters and local Indian tribes, with the latter half of the production moving into action-adventure territory.What I liked about this film is the naturalistic feel. There's not a wealth of dialogue here and most of the shots emphasise man's stature dwarfed by the extent and brutality of the natural world about him. I always enjoy 'back to nature' films such as this and JEREMIAH JOHNSON doesn't disappoint, whether it's chronicling Redford fighting against the elements or a wolf pack or enjoying quieter, more contemplative moments.The supporting cast is well drawn and the over the top performances work well. When the film moves into revenge territory in the latter part it becomes madly exciting and thoroughly thrilling. I also liked the dark and brutal edge despite the family friendly rating; it gives the film that unmistakable '70s gritty vibe. JEREMIAH JOHNSON truly is THE REVENANT of its day.

After not having watched any of the classic westerns in a long time somebody told me I should watch Jeremiah Johnson...I'm so happy I listened! This movie is beautiful, just so beautiful that alone is enough to give it a try, the story is amazing as well! On top of that it has aged very well, if they made the same movie today it would probably look the same (or worse).Have look and judge for yourself, you will not be disappointed!A classic among classics.Recommended!

I recently saw 'The Revenant' with Leo DiCaprio and could not help but compare it to Jeremiah Johnson with Robert Redford.The comparison is not favourable. 'The Revenant' is not a patch on Jeremiah Johnson.Both are visually stunning. (Bear in mind that Jeremiah Johnson, circa 1972, is visually stunning without the benefit of CGI)Both have gritty realism.Both have very good acting.But only Jeremiah Johnson has a really really good story. Jeremiah Johnson, ex-soldier, tired of war goes up into the mountains to be a 'mountain man'. He has an exciting and dangerous life, learning how to survive, helped by an old mountain man. He finds survivors of Indian massacre and is force to adopt a mute boy. He then gets an Indian squaw as a present. He finally settles down with his new family. But comes back to find them killed by Indians. He tracks and kills all but one of the culprits. Thereafter the tribe, in a test of manhood, send warriors one at a time to try and kill him. It's a cracking film. A Sunday matinée classic. (The Revenant is not even close)

Mexican war veteran Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford) is tired of the world and seeks to be a mountain man trapper. He struggles to survive until he runs into the frozen body of Hatchet Jack clutching his .50 caliber gun. It proves to be a much needed gun. Then he meets another mountain man Bear Claw (Will Geer) who takes him under his wing. He encounters Crow chief Paints-His-Shirt-Red and eventually befriends him. He runs across homesteader (Allyn Ann McLerie) and her mute son just after a Blackfeet raid. She pushes him to adopt her son whom Johnson calls Caleb. The duo go off and run across Del Gue (Stefan Gierasch) who the Blackfeet had buried up to his neck. Gue and Jeremiah find a Blackfeet camp ending up killing the Blackfeet. Jeremiah is disgusted with Gue taking scalps. The group meets Flathead indians who are in awe of Jeremiah. They assume he killed their enemy Blackfeet to avenge the crazy white woman of big medicine when they see the scalps. When he gives them the scalps and the Blackfoot ponies, the chief needs to give an even greater gift, his daughter Swan. Gue leaves them and Jeremiah is saddled with a son and wife neither of which he wanted. They eventually become a family with a cabin. Then the US Cavalry convinces Jeremiah to search for a wagon train. They go through a sacred Crow burial ground despite Jeremiah's objection. The Crow slaughters Caleb and Swan which sets off a long running quest for revenge.Coming at a time of disenchantment, the public was ready to run away and rediscover America. At first glance, Robert Redford seems too refined for a mountain man role. However even Jeremiah didn't start out as a mountain man. Redford can slowly transition into a more rugged character. Sadly in the end, he fails to get to the truly insane mountain man character. He just doesn't have that in him.The movie moves a little too slowly at times. Director Sydney Pollack could have tighten up the pacing a bit. There's a more melodic feel coming from this movie. It's not really the same as a Clint Eastwood and Sam Peckinpah western. I would expect that version would be more brutal. That may be a good idea for a remake.