Might be “Dances With Wolves”…
If my memory serves correct, this film follows a party of United States Cavalrymen who were sent on a mission to go West for the purposes of securing territory & protecting settlers.
One of the calvary soldiers was a scientist whose field of study was anthropology, specifically phrenology, the study of the human skull and its relation to various psychological traits. This character was obsessed with studying, documenting, and sketching the skulls of indians.
His line goes as such:
“Observe the slope of the forehead, indicating an underdeveloped prefrontal lobe. Total lack of foresight.”
If I recall correctly, in a twist of irony, the character was later scalped and or killed by an indian.
Perhaps the film I am thinking of is “Dances With Wolves” but I cannot say for certain.
Please help!
[ Edit 1: could also be The Last of the Mohicans ]
[ Edit 2: confirmed NOT Dances With Wolves]
[ Edit 3: confirmed NOT Last of the Mohicans]