Jeremiah Johnson

REDFORD THE PIONEER OPTS FOR THE WILD OUTDOORS It is the mid 19th century. Disillusioned with civilization, Jeremiah Johnson determines to find a different way of life, and sets out to become a mountain man. He is befriended by Bear Claw, seasoned veteran, and begins to learn from him the ways of mountain living. During the ensuing year he establishes good trading relationships with many Indians, and ultimately marries an Indian girl. He also adopts an orphan boy. The three form a close family unit. They build a cabin and are preparing for the coming winter when cavalrymen seek Johnson's help in tracing some starving settlers. Reluctantly Johnson agrees to go with them. The urgency of the mission forces them to cross a Crow burial ground instead of making a 30 mile detour. Immediately the settlers are sighted Johnson heads back home. He is too late. His wife and adopted boy are dead, murdered by the Crow as a reprisal for the trespass of their scared ground. The deliberate, chilling manner of his vengeance against the Crow Indians is to make Jeremiah Johnson a legend. © Warner Bros. Inc.