this sequel to A Man Called Horse focuses much more on the spirituality of the Native Indians.i didn't mind that aspect at all.it's very interesting.the problem i had with the movie is there just didn't see to be a point.i didn't feel there was much of a story to it.to me,it felt like they made a sequel just for the sake a making a sequel.the first movie had much more thought put into it.i did really like the musical score,though.i thought it was very majestic and poetic.if you're expecting a lot of action,you'll have to look elsewhere.this isn't that kind of picture.adding everything up,i liked the first movie more.but this one isn't so bad.for me,Return of a Man called Horse is a 5/10

As mentioned I watched both this and the classic original last night (03/27/08)back to back because my local library had both. In my review of "All Quiet On The Western Front",I stated that re-makes are hard to do,especially a TV movie version. TV sequels to theatrical films are just as difficult. The idea and story of John and/or Horse returning to seek solace and then fighting battles with his adopted tribe should have easily been,not just a great adventure but a film that makes some strong statement,like the original.Unfortunately,the constraints and pitfalls of TV make this difficult sometimes. One thing for sure in my view is the use of that "Little House On The Prarie"-like music in scenes. In the opening it's fine,he's returning to America and looking forward to seeing everyone again. When things get more serious & violent later,it really has no place here. This kind of story and this kind of music do not mesh very well. As for the actors playing Native-Americans,TV always did go for an easier route. I mean,this was the same medium that wanted us to believe John Travolta was 16 on "Welcome Back Kotter" when he was actually in his 20s. On the upside the movie,for 70s TV,is fairly daring and represents the times as they were then. What's really best about it,is that it concludes the true story of a unique man and character. It's just too bad it wasn't made for the cinema,with writers and directors and larger named actors. It could have given a much greater sense of urgency and compassion on our part as viewers. The first movie is really the only reason to watch this sequel,aside from the story of it's central character. Seven out of ten,2 points off for what it lacks and 1 more for that corny 70s TV music. (END)

The first sequel to A Man Called Horse {there was another one a few years later which turned out to be something of a disappointment} is a much more conventional adventure movie. This does not mean it's bad,not at all,in fact it's probably more enjoyable. There's more English language dialogue,The Sioux dialogue is subtitled instead of just being incomprehensible to those who don't know Sioux,and it follows a familiar action movie structure and scenario. It just lacks the originality and edge of the original,where we were exploring an unfamiliar culture and weren't sure all the time if we liked everything about it. Disappontingly,none of the Sioux in the first film appear to return.Well directed by Irvin Kershner,generally a journeyman director who occasionally excelled himself {i.e.The Empire Strikes Back},it has a fantastic cut early on from violence in the wild west to fox hunting in England,a different kind of savagery. The early scenes do a really good job of showing the film's hero,again well played by Richard Harris,as a man who appears to have everything-a title,a big house,a wife,etc} but inside is empty because he was only truly himself when he was with the Sioux. The first half of the film is leisurely,and has a re-run of the Sun Vow ritual of the first film,but longer and more graphic. But it's essential to the film,especially the vision Harris has of meeting himself as an old man.The film's second half is mostly conventional if well staged action fare,although Harris looks out of place riding with the Sioux in western clothes-surely he would have dressed like one of them? Laurence Rosenthal's soaring score is wonderful and,in contrast with the more authentic sounding music of the first film,is more evidence that the filmmakers were generally going for a more romanticised approach. On that level,this sometimes rousing follow up works well.

Harris reprises his weak and tepid role of an 1800's gentleman who can't stomach modern life in England so he goes back to the Plains to find his adopted tribe of Sioux Indians. He finds them on the verge of extinction, starvation and he is there to lead them to new hope, which means bowing to his leadership. Why the Sioux didn't kill him in the first film goes beyond reason. More silly stuff from hippies in the 1970's in this second installment of the wildly popular but empty "A Man Called Horse" saga. Look for a psychedelic scene where Harris is butt naked while emerged in color shots of eagles flying in the sky.