Based upon a real-life trapper named John Johnston, nicknamed "Crow Killer Crow Killer A young ex-soldier named Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford), fleeing civilization, equips himself with the needed foodstuffs, gear and pack mule required for life as a solitary mountain man. After a short time in the high mountains, Johnson finds himself critically short on both food and basic survival skills. https://www.imdb.com › title › plotsummary Jeremiah Johnson (1972) - Plot - IMDb " and "Liver Eater Johnston" for his penchant for cutting out and eating the livers of Crow Indians he had killed (several Crows had murdered his wife and he swore vengeance against the entire tribe).