Windwalker (Special Edition)

Amazon.com

A splendid adventure for family viewing, Windwalker has the distinction of being named the #1 anthropological film of all time in an early 1990s poll of the American Anthropological Association. It's not particularly distinguished in terms of its filmmaking, but this authentic Native American tale is told with exciting vitality and careful attention to details of culture, language, costuming, and age-old traditions. The title character (convincingly played by British actor Trevor Howard) is an aged and dying Cheyenne warrior who, as a young husband and father (played by James Remar in flashbacks), watched helplessly as his wife was killed and one twin son kidnapped by Crow invaders. On his deathbed, he is spiritually revived to solve the mystery of his missing son, and in doing so sets his "windwalker" path to a peaceful afterlife. Featuring an abundance of natural beauty in the mountains of Utah and utilizing sparse, subtitled dialogue spoken in authentic Cheyenne and Crow languages, the film may be too intense for very young viewers (with scenes of PG-rated violence involving enemy warriors, wolves and a bear), but it's essential viewing for anyone interested in Native American cultural history. Independently distributed in 1980 by the Christian family-film company Pacific International Enterprises (whose wholesome founder, Arthur R. Dubs, is profiled in a vintage promo reel included on this DVD), Windwalker was a decade ahead of Dances with Wolves in bringing real, vibrant Indian folklore to a mainstream audience, earning a respectable $18 million at the box office. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Windwalker, right on course with the book.......2006-10-20

If you are lucky enough to have read the book, which came out before the movie, you will find that the movie follows the book exactly. The book is an incredible read, that took me one night to go through the entire book. Read the book also, you won't be disappointed.

The Windwalker by Blaine M. Yorgason (I was lucky enough to inherit a copy that's the 5th printing, 1980)

This was one of the first movies that stirred the echoes of my native ancestors in my soul. Though it does not have native actors, it accurately portrays the Cheyenne and Crow and the beliefs.

Excellent movie and book!!!! Highly recommended.

If only...........2006-10-10

the producers of this film would have had at least a little more respect for native american culture and NOT cast caucasian men with piercing blue eyes in the lead role and other parts, asian kids to portray Cheyenne children, and a woman of obvious hispanic decent to play the lead female role......

If only they would have had consideration for native people of this country and used native actors for ALL parts....especially since there is not one single part of a caucasian character in this film....

If only the makers of this film had not been so typically Hollywood in their approach and casting....this could have been a truly great anthropological film.

As it stands this film is yet another sad and disappointing example of just how little respect the dominant society had (the film was made in 1981) for native americans.

The only good thing they did in this film is to have the actors speak in native Cheyenne / Crow language....although the actors are so horrible at speaking these languages that it almost sounds like a made up dialogue. Again....had the producers of this film used REAL Cheyenne and Crow Indians then this too would not have been an issue.

The musical score also is not at all in keeping with the plot and nature of the film....sounds like they took a soundtrack to some 70's nature documentary and threw it behind the scenes in the film.

Hollywood should re-make this film, with real native actors, speaking in their native language, with a score that truly reflects the drama and message of this story.

JOYOUS MOVIE!!.......2006-08-02

I HAVE ORDERED A FEW TIMES FROM AMAZON AND ALL THE MOVIES ARE WONDERFUL. THIS MOVIE IS BREATH TAKING ,IT IS SO EXCITING TO WATCH. THANK YOU AGAIN
RONALD FRYE

Years ahead of it's time.......2006-07-21

I too am Native American, born on the Cheyenne River Reservation. While it would have been nice if there had been native American actors, this film broke the stereotype and was the first to present the Native Americans in an authentic way in spite of the christian influence of the ending. My first reaction on seeing Trevor Howard in the lead when i saw this film in the theatres was one of disappointment. However, after seeing the picture and the way he portrayed the grandfather, I realized that the director knew what he was doing. The way of life, environment and regalia are 100% accurate, as is the Crow and Northern Cheyenne dialog. While some Native Americans dish the movie because of the lack of Native American actors, they miss the point. For the first time, our culture and lifestyle are accurately reported, in a respectful, dignified way. This is my favorite Native American movie, far superior to Dances With Wolves which I also liked.

You want to like it, but..........2006-06-03

I wanted to like this movie and, in fact, there is a lot to like, so go ahead and buy it. Unfortunately, a lot of the movie has the look and feel of a film school project: really long looks into the camera, really long panoramic vistas, and actors who obviously have not spent a lot of time in the out-of-doors (soft, pale bodies).

Oh, and about those long looks into the camera, I do not know what they could have done about Trevor Howard's blue eyes, but could he not have taken off his contact lenses for that really tight close up?

Average customer rating:

Windwalker DOES Rock!
Windwalker rocks

Windwalker

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

scene access
interactive menus
Original TV commercials
biography
filmographies

ASIN: B000HY815A

Product Description

Lying on his deathbed, the aging Cheyenne Warrior, Windwalker, tells his life story to his grandchildren. He recounts his years as a young brave, marriage to beautiful Tashina, the blessing of having twin sons born to them, and his anguish at having Tashina die and one of the babies stolen during a raid by Crow warriors. After Windwalker dies, the Great Spirit reawakens him for one final mission.

Customer Reviews:

Windwalker DOES Rock!.......2007-07-05

This is an incredible family film that my children watched again and again (until the tape wore out). The scenery is incredible; the story is wonderful. This film shows the Native American family as it's meant to be viewed, and the story is touching. This is a classic film that will be sitting on your shelf between Princess Bride and Dances with Wolves; it's not one of the movies you'll watch once and put away. Your kids will choose to see it again and again on family night. (and you'll be sitting right there just as enthralled each time as they are) Great movie for Native American history buffs as well as people who enjoy horses. An exciting story with a surprise ending. If you don't buy this movie for your family, someone needs to give you a very painful wedgie... I strongly suggest you buy TWO of these as you will love it so much you'll want to share it with someone else - and as we both know when you loan a movie you rarely get it back! (hehe)

Windwalker rocks.......2007-04-06

This is the most amusing and accurate tale of Native Americans ever. There is very little dialogue and what does happen is in native tongue. You don't need any, the story tells itself. This is a splendid film. I'm happy to have it on DVD because the VHS gave out. Much more realistic than any "Indian" film I've seen.

Average customer rating:

Windwalker

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Land of Kilimanjaro Documentary
Biography, Filmographies
Original TV Commercials
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

ASIN: B000J4C2QW

Product Description

A Family DVD Classics Film Before Dances with Wolves there was Windwalker

DVD:

DVD

DVD