20.
Black Robe (1991). |
19.
Fish Hawk (1980). |
This
is a very underrated film that over time has stepped out of
the shadow of "Dances with Wolves." We follow a
priest who's mission is to convert Tribes to the church. It
is seen through his eyes but in the end we see him through
them and the world they all live in.
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Will
Sampson portrays a raging alcoholic who befriends a young
white boy and passes down his knowledge of life and wisdom.
This is a stereotypical film about how Indians are seen as
Savages. Yet, it is saved by one of the best Native actors
ever. Mr. Sampson.
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18.
Skins (2002). |
17.
Windtalkers (2002). |
Graham
Greene gives an Oscar worthy performance here as a tormented
Vietnam veteran on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Through
it all we see a torchered human being who once was a vibrant
young Indian who had big dreams. Greene is funny, touching
at times and a deeply loving brother.
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The
star may be Nicolas Cage but the center of this war drama
is the Navajo Code talkers. Adam Beach gives his most charismatic
performance yet but it's newcomer Roger Willie who sticks
in your mind. He goes down in hand to hand combat to protect
the code. A true Veteran Warrior.
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16.
Thunderheart (1992). |
15.
Dreamkeeper (2003). |
Val
Kilmer an Indian? Unbelievable! Yet, around him is a wonderful
supporting cast including Graham Greene, Sam Shepard and Sheila
Tousey. A first rate Native mystery that echos back to the
siege at wounded knee.
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Filled
with wonderful special effects centering upon many Indian
myths. My favorite is the Blackfeet story about a son who
cannot let go of his father who died years earlier. Yet, his
father comes back to lead him to food and the survival of
his people.
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14.
Little Big Man (1970). |
13.
Windwalker (1980). |
Chief
Dan George will forever be remembered as the grandfather of
Little Big Man. And why not? George is the best thing about
this story that leads through the battle of the little bighorn
and the massacre of the Sioux people. George is the first
Native American to be nominated for a supporting Actor Oscar.
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Trevor
Howard gives his best perfomance here after decades in films.
Yet, the cinematography is the star as it captures a wonderful
level of spirituality to bring twin sons back together after
one was kidnapped by an enemy tribe. Whatever happened to
the lovely actress Serene Hedin?
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12.
The Dark Wind (1991). |
11.
Running Brave (1984). |
There
was a big uproar from the Navajo people when this film came
out back then. Yet, it has more tension, drama and mystery
than it's recent Hillerman counterparts. Gary Farmer has a
wonderful supporting role as a Tribal cop who befriends Jim
Chee.
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No
one could've played Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills other
than Robby Benson. This Biography is crackling with high energy
through to the glorious Olympic finale. Graham Greene portrays
the jealous older brother who comes to support Billy in an
early career performance.
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10.
The Last of the Mohicans (1992). |
9.
The Doe Boy (2001). |
Forget
the over the top perfomances by Day-Lewis, and Wes Studi.
The Quiet but tragic love story here between Uncas (Eric Schweig)
and a white slave girl is the more engaging. They both become
the sacrifice of their older siblings in this sprawling Epic.
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Growing
up a Halfbreed Cherokee isn't easy and the struggle to live
in two worlds is much worse. James Duval gives a touching
perfomance as a confused yet determined young man struggling
to balance both worlds.Every halfbreed and mixed blood Indian
should watch this movie.
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8.
The Emerald Forest (1988). |
7.
I will fight no more forever (1975). |
A
father searches for his only son for ten years after being
kidnapped by Indians. When his search is over he finds that
his son becomes a part of a rich Tribal Culture. Finally,
he realizes that his son has found more meaning in a tribe
than in white civilization.
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Young
Chief Joseph and the plight of the Nez Perce is dramatized
beautifully here. Ned Romero gives a fine performance as Joseph.
His most hearfelt and saddest moment comes when he finds his
own brother among the dead after a fierce battle with soldiers.
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6.
Legends of the Fall (1994). |
5.
PowWow Highway (1989). |
Tristin
played by Brad Pitt couldn't control the grizzly spirit that
lived next to his soul. Some Tribal cultures believe that
a spirit follows each one of us and so it did with Tristin.
That grizzly came for him as a child and then claimed him
at the end of his life. It certainly was a good death.
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Two
Montana Indians played by Gary Farmer and A. Martinez take
a road trip to Santa Fe and find that there are many Indians
who are more lost than themselves. Through it all they find
friendship, brotherhood and alittle bit of spirituality.
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4.
Dances with Wolves (1990). |
3.
Smoke Signals (1998). |
"....it
is to be the best human being." This line said from Kicking
Bird (Graham Greene) is what this whole movie is all about.
To live among the Sioux people that rome the great plains
completely free is wonderful. Sadly, chasing the buffalo is
now just a memory..
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"Do
we forgive our fathers?" In the end, two boyhood friends
have to forgive no matter the abuse or neglect. The father
here played by Gary Farmer couldn't win over his demons. Yet,
he finally finds some peace in the Southwest with a lovely
neighbor played by Irene Bedard. He stopped running from the
past and then moved onto the other world.
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2.
I heard the Owl call my name (1973). |
1.
Grand Avenue (1996). |
A
legend of the northwest Indians has it that if you hear an
Owl calling your name you will soon die. A young Vicar is
sent to live among a Tribal people who finds some peace and
dies among those who accepted him as their own. A remarkable
movie.
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This
is a groundbreaking inner city urban Indian drama that deals
with the struggle to hold onto dying Traditions. Sheila Tousey
gives a powerful performance as the lost Mollie who is forced
to grow up after a gang shooting of one of her own.
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