Jeremiah Johnson

Jeremiah Johnson

Year: 1972

Runtime: 108 min

Language: English

Director: Sydney Pollack

AdventureDramaWestern

Seeking solitude after the Mexican-American War, Jeremiah Johnson ventures into the unforgiving wilderness. A seasoned trapper mentors him, imparting essential survival skills. He discovers love and builds a family, finding peace within the stunning natural landscape. However, their newfound tranquility is shattered when conflict arises with the Crow Indians, demanding resilience and testing the limits of his hard-won existence in the remote mountain territory.

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Timeline & Setting – Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Jeremiah Johnson (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film reflects a time characterized by exploration and expansion in the American West, as settlers and Native Americans navigated complex relationships and conflicts. It captures the harsh realities and challenges faced by those attempting to forge a life in the untamed wilderness.

Location

Rocky Mountains, Crow burial ground, trading post

The Rocky Mountains serve as a harsh yet beautiful backdrop for Jeremiah's solitary life as a mountain man. Known for their rugged terrain and majestic peaks, these mountains symbolize both the allure and danger of the wilderness. The trading post represents a point of convergence for various cultures, where trade and survival intertwine.

🏔️ Mountains 🏕️ Wilderness 🛖 Settlement

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:04

Main Characters – Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

Meet the key characters of Jeremiah Johnson (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford)

Jeremiah Johnson is a young ex-soldier seeking solace in the mountains after the chaos of civilization. His journey reflects his transformation from a naive outsider to a legendary figure marked by both triumph and tragedy. His character embodies resilience and the desire for revenge, yet he also shows compassion and a deep connection to the land and its inhabitants.

🏹 Hunter 🏞️ Resilient 😔 Grieving

Bear Claw (Will Geer)

Bear Claw is an experienced mountain man who serves as a mentor to Jeremiah, sharing vital survival knowledge and skills. His wisdom and rugged demeanor highlight the challenges of wilderness life and the importance of camaraderie in the face of danger. Bear Claw represents a link to tradition and the deep understanding of the land.

🐻 Mentor 🏞️ Wise 🔥 Survivalist

Del Gue (Stefan Gierasch)

Del Gue is another mountain man who becomes an ally to Jeremiah. His character reflects the camaraderie among rugged individuals facing harsh environmental challenges. Del's fierceness in battle and loyalty add depth to the themes of revenge and survival.

💪 Warrior 🤝 Loyal 🔥 Fires

Caleb

Caleb is a traumatized child rescued by Jeremiah, who takes him under his wing after a horrific massacre. His silence and vulnerability symbolize the innocence lost amidst violence. The bond between Jeremiah and Caleb reveals themes of parental responsibility and the glimmer of hope in a dark world.

👶 Innocence 🤲 Dependent ❤️ Hopeful

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:04

Major Themes – Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

Explore the central themes of Jeremiah Johnson (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🦋 Survival

The theme of survival is central to Jeremiah's journey as he learns to adapt to the unforgiving wilderness. His struggles with food, shelter, and hostile encounters highlight the resilience required to endure extreme conditions. Both physical and emotional survival are tested, particularly when faced with loss and the quest for vengeance.

💔 Loss & Grief

The profound impact of loss shapes Jeremiah's character and actions throughout the film. After the tragic murder of his family, his grief drives him into a violent quest for revenge. This theme explores the devastating effects of violence and the journey toward healing and understanding what it means to forgive.

🤝 Cultural Conflict

The film addresses the cultural conflicts between Native Americans and settlers in the West, showcasing both the tensions and moments of understanding. Jeremiah’s interactions with characters like Bear Claw and the Crow tribe illustrate the complexity of these relationships, emphasizing themes of respect, rivalry, and the quest for harmony.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:04

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Frontier survival movies like Jeremiah Johnson

Stories of one person against an unforgiving wilderness, earning a lonely peace.If you were captivated by the harsh beauty and solitary struggle in Jeremiah Johnson, explore these movies. This thread gathers epic survival stories set in untamed wilderness, focusing on themes of man vs. nature, stoic resilience, and the bittersweet peace found in a life of solitude.

stoiclonelyharshatmosphericunforgivingreflectivegrieving

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a lone individual, often escaping a past life, who ventures into a vast and demanding natural world. They master survival skills, sometimes finding temporary connection, but the core arc is one of becoming hardened and self-reliant, culminating in a respected but deeply solitary existence.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a high-intensity, melancholic tone and heavy emotional weight. They feature steady pacing that allows the environment to become a character, and often end on a bittersweet note where survival is a victory tinged with loneliness.

Frontier revenge stories like Jeremiah Johnson

Peace is shattered by violence, leading to a bloody and morally complex quest for retribution.For viewers drawn to the devastating revenge arc in Jeremiah Johnson, this thread features movies about frontier life shattered by loss. Discover similar stories of stoic protagonists pushed to their limits, exploring the heavy cost of vengeance and the complex morality of survival.

grievingrevengebrutalstoicharshunforgivingearned respect

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with the protagonist achieving a fragile state of peace or family. A traumatic act of violence—often the murder of loved ones—shatters this peace, igniting a determined and skillful campaign of revenge that tests their humanity and leaves them forever changed.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their high intensity, bleak or bittersweet tone, and heavy emotional weight driven by profound loss. They share a steady, deliberate pacing that builds towards climactic confrontations, exploring themes of cultural conflict and the price of violence.

Unlock the Full Story of Jeremiah Johnson

Don't stop at just watching — explore Jeremiah Johnson in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Jeremiah Johnson is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Jeremiah Johnson Summary

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Jeremiah Johnson Summary

Jeremiah Johnson Timeline

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Jeremiah Johnson Timeline

Jeremiah Johnson Spoiler-Free Summary

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Jeremiah Johnson Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Jeremiah Johnson

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