Jeremiah Johnson

The film begins at a bustling Rocky Mountain riverside trading post, where various cultures converge: Indians, trappers, and traders. Here, Jeremiah Johnson, a young ex-soldier, seeks to escape civilization and begins his journey into the wilderness.

In the early days of his mountain life, Jeremiah faces severe challenges, including the scarcity of food and lack of survival skills. A humorous attempt to catch a trout leads him to realize he is being watched by an Indian brave, highlighting his naivety.

Jeremiah tries to start a fire in the snow but stumbles upon a frozen dead mountain man, later identified as Hatchet Jack. Discovering a note that reveals Jack was killed by a grizzly bear, Jeremiah takes his prized rifle, which becomes vital for his hunting success.

The following morning, Jeremiah awakens to find his horse has died. Nevertheless, undeterred, he sets out leading his pack mule, only to be met by the elderly mountain man Bear Claw, who helps him learn the ways of survival in the wilderness.

During an elk hunt with Bear Claw, Jeremiah and his mentor encounter a Crow Indian party. Utilizing quick thinking, they manage to negotiate their way out of trouble, and to Jeremiah's surprise, the leader is the same brave who observed his earlier hunting failures.

While exploring the wilderness, Jeremiah discovers a cabin where settlers have been brutally killed, leaving behind only a traumatized child and his maddened mother. Driven by compassion, Jeremiah takes the child, whom he names Caleb, under his care.

Jeremiah and Caleb encounter Del Gue, another mountain man trapped by Blackfoot raiders. They successfully rescue him and vow to track down the raiders responsible for the massacre, igniting a quest for vengeance against the attackers.

After their confrontation with the raiders, where Del Gue takes scalps as a trophy, Jeremiah's reputation grows. He is honored by the Flathead chief, who, impressed by their struggle against the Blackfoot, offers his daughter to Jeremiah as a sign of respect.

Now with a family, Jeremiah embraces life in the wilderness, building a cabin with his wife and stepson Caleb near a serene mountain stream. Despite the challenges of communication due to his wife's muteness, they find joy in their new life together.

The peace of their lives is shattered when a cavalry unit seeks Jeremiah's expertise to rescue stranded settlers. Despite his reservations about the harsh journey ahead, he reluctantly agrees to lead them, setting the stage for a series of impending challenges.

While navigating the high mountains, Jeremiah and the cavalry ignore his warnings about entering a sacred Crow burial site. Their decision proves to be disastrous, angering the local Crows and complicating their already perilous journey.

Upon returning home, Jeremiah is devastated to find that his wife and stepson have been brutally murdered in retaliation for trespassing on sacred land. Overcome with grief, he lays them to rest and burns their cabin, consumed by despair.

Driven by a thirst for vengeance, Jeremiah embarks on a relentless pursuit of the Crow warriors responsible for his family's murder. He confronts them in a brutal fight, managing to defeat the entire group, although he sustains injuries in the process.

Jeremiah's violent acts of revenge earn him a fearsome reputation among both Indians and settlers, marking him as a legendary figure. During his journey, he meets Bear Claw and Del Gue again, who offer their support in his time of need.

As his saga nears its end, Jeremiah spots a lone Crow warrior and prepares for yet another fight. To his surprise, the warrior raises his hand in a gesture of peace, revealing it to be the same brave who had once watched him struggle, bringing closure to Jeremiah's tumultuous journey.