English Lord John Morgan (Richard Harris) is hunting in the Dakotas in 1825 when he is captured by a group of Sioux warriors.
Morgan’s guides are killed, but he is spared by Sioux Chief Yellow Hand (Manu Tupou), who marvels at Morgan’s blonde hair.
Brought to Yellow Hand’s tribal village, Morgan has to endure physical abuse and mockery at the hands of women and children who consider him to be a wild horse. Restrained by a rope around his neck, Morgan is given as a gift to an old squaw, Buffalo Cow Head (Judith Anderson), to be her slave and help her with daily chores.
In the village, Morgan meets Running Deer (Corinna Tsopei), the beautiful young sister of Chief Yellow Hand. Morgan – who is beginning to fall for Yellow Deer – witnesses the traditional courtship process when a tribe member presents Yellow Hand with gifts in return for his sister’s hand in marriage.
Also in the village is a half-breed named Batise (Jean Gascon), whose mother was Sioux and father was French.
Batise becomes Morgan’s friend and interpreter, advising him against trying to escape, citing his own attempt when he was re-captured and hamstrung by the Sioux.
Despite these warnings, Morgan tries to escape several times, but he is always re-captured.
While biding his time for another escape opportunity, a rival Shoshone war party approaches the Sioux village.
Morgan kills two of the Shoshone scouts, winning the respect of his Sioux captors.
Instead of escaping, Morgan now plans to learn the ways of the Sioux, become a warrior, and gain his place amongst them.
The centrepiece of the film is the ‘Sun Vow’ ritual that Morgan must endure to prove his courage to withstand all tests of pain to win the hand of Running Dear.
John Morgan
Richard Harris Buffalo Cow Head
Judith Anderson Batise
Jean Gascon Yellow Hand
Manu Tupou Running Deer
Corinna Tsopei Joe
Dub Taylor Ed
James Gammon Bent
William Jordan Black Eagle
Eddie Little Sky Longfoot
Michael Baseleon Thorn Rose
Lina Marín Elk Woman
Tamara Garina Striking Bear
Terry Leonard Medicine Man
Iron Eyes Cody Medicine Man
Tom Tyon Medicine Man
Jackson Tail Leaping Buck
Manuel Padilla Jr. Warriors
Lloyd One Star
James Never Miss a Shot
Frank Rabbit Jr.
Samuel White Horse
Justin Thin Elk
Lawrence Old Cross
Ardene Turning Bear
Aloysius Eagleman
Ross Kills Enemy
Ben Black Bear
Richard Fool Bull
Bruce Pretty Bird
Director
Elliot Silverstein
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Batise becomes Morgan’s friend and interpreter, advising him against trying to escape, citing his own attempt when he was re-captured and hamstrung by the Sioux.
Morgan kills two of the Shoshone scouts, winning the respect of his Sioux captors.
