KINORAFIELD GUIDE TO FILM
1970 · 139 min · PG

Little Big Man

Directed by Arthur Penn · Western, Comedy, Adventure, Drama

Little Big Man (1970) is a Western film, directed by Arthur Penn set in Great Plains and South Dakota during the 1800s. It runs 139 minutes and is rated PG.

A western, with a satirical and darkly comic tone. Themes of identity and freedom & oppression play out through frame narrative and episodic chapters.

Cinematography
Harry Stradling Jr.
Cast
Dustin HoffmanFaye DunawayChief Dan GeorgeMartin BalsamRichard MulliganJeff CoreyAimée EcclesKelly Jean Peters

The world of this film

Setting

Where
Great PlainsSouth Dakota
When

Premise & themes

Premise
Tone
SatiricalDarkly ComicMelancholic

Shape

Protagonist
Solo Lead
Pacing
Measured
  • 1974

    Badlands

    South Dakota · Montana — 1950s
    Rural · Wildernessdir. Terrence Malick
  • 2007

    Into the Wild

    Alaska · California · South Dakota — 1990s
    Wilderness · Rural · Desertdir. Sean Penn
  • 2021

    Nomadland

    Nevada · Arizona · South Dakota · California — 2010s
    Rural · Wildernessdir. Chloé Zhao
  • 2022

    Prey

    Great Plains — 1700s
    Wildernessdir. Dan Trachtenberg
  • 2018

    The Rider

    South Dakota — 2010s
    Ruraldir. Chloé Zhao
  • 1992

    Thunderheart

    South Dakota — 1970s
    Ruraldir. Michael Apted