This key film in the trend towards a more realistic depiction of life in the Old West provides a thorough study of the Sioux tribe's mores as experienced by an English aristocrat who is unfortunate enough to become its prisoner. Richard Harris gives a compelling performance as the man who is tortured, ridiculed and turned into a beast of burden before finding ways to improve his lot. You'll need a strong stomach to watch Harris undergoing the elaborate (and accurately depicted) Sun Vow ceremony in which he is impaled by hooks. Despite a largely native American supporting cast and much use of unsubtitled Sioux dialogue, the film's veracity is spoilt by Judith Anderson's turn as a Sioux harridan. Its success led to two sequels.

In 1825, English peer Lord John Morgan is cast adrift in the American West. Captured by Sioux Indians, Morgan is at first targeted for quick extinction, but the tribesmen sense that he is worthy of survival. He eventually passes the many necessary tests that will permit him to become a member of the tribe.