Windwalker (Special Edition)

I love this movie in spite of the fact that as some negative reviewers reported, it is white people playing native Americans. I checked and actually Nick Ramos is from the Blackfoot tribe and other folks in the movie look Native American too but it is difficult to find information on them. Others complained about Hispanics playing Native Americans in the movie but if you know history, Hispanics have lots of Native American genes since most Hispanics are over 80% Native American with the rest usually being Spanish genetics. Their tribes were from Mexico and Central and South America, of course, and not from North America... Most North American tribes aren't pure either having lots of other genes in the mix. I suppose some zealots and puritans will demand exactness but this movie with the dialogues in the Native American languages of Crow and Cheyenne, well, it is awesome and yes, the actors aren't fluent in those languages but then most Native Americans aren't either since they were cruelly forced by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to give those languages up. This movie did a nice job of resurrecting them.

The world is beautiful and the movie shows the mountains, streams, weather, clouds, so very vivid and beautifully done. The movie theme is also fantastic, it will move you to tears. Death is not so bad when you view it like this. Great movie and I a glad i have it to watch how ever many times i want.

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Iconic, funny, adventurous, true love, beautiful scenery!

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)

Based on the novel by Blaine M. Yorgason, Windwalker is a story that holds its viewers captive until the very end. Set in the Midwest's striking Black Hills during the late 1700s, the story begins in the dead of winter with an old, dying Cheyenne man telling his two young grandsons the story of his life.His story contains elements of hope, love, determination, disappointment, happiness, death, tragedy, and sorrow. Tears pool inside the man's eyes as he tells of one fateful day when his enemy, the opposing Crow tribe, stole what he had loved and cherished the most. Ever since that day, his life had been an endless journey as he searched for the son that had been snatched away from him--the son that he was never able to reclaim. With a weary, tearful smile, the old man murmurs that his journeys are now over and that, "It is a good day to die." His eyelids droop shut, and he breathes his last.As the old man's journey comes to an apparent end, a new journey unfolds for the family he left behind. After conducting a proper funeral ceremony, the man's remaining son and his wives and children begin a travel of their own to escape the disease that is ravaging their people. Vulnerable and alone inside the wooded Black Hills, they become easy prey for their infamous Crow adversaries.Windwalker is a story of hard work and survival with themes including a father's undying love, the strength of family ties, perseverance, and young boys becoming men. Though simple, the tale will tend to sweep you along and leave you laughing, crying, and gripping the edge of your seat.Overall, the 1981 film is well-made. One of the things I appreciated most about it was the accurate portrayal of the native Indian people, who are often wrongly presented as wild, inhuman savages in other films. All dialogue is spoken in the native Crow and Cheyenne dialects, and footnotes are provided at the bottom of the screen. Very little dialogue is actually spoken, and the well-acted drama is used to carry the story along.Windwalker does contain a few minor quirks, the biggest being its music, which, at times, could be better. A few of the measures tend to pull the audience away from the native atmosphere, such as the sudden burst of triangles every time the father's white horse appears. Another has to do with the Crow warriors' superstitious fascination, and even fear, with the white horse. This superstition is largely unexplained to the audience and can be somewhat confusing. A few sections of the film also tend to drag when action scenes are separated by clips of the surrounding scenery, sometimes lasting the better part of a minute.Despite its few weak points, I would highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good family film. Captivating and heart-touching, this classic should leave few people disappointed.

This is one of those films every parent who is interested in teaching their children about God and hope, and truly, a hope for a wonderful place to go when our lives are finished here on earth; should make sure to view, then show their charges. It's a completely original story, based on ancient American Indians that has never been seen in American film. There are no evil White Men, killing women and children, just ordinary Evil men, killing women and stealing children. Wholesome?.....Scary?......Yes, but very real and very important and strong, nonetheless. It is a story of redemption, and finding lost children. It is a story of a father who never gives up, and has an amazing relationship with God, (whom he calls Father) and says to at the end, "What a funny Father you are, saving the best for last). It is wonderful to witness someone speak with God and compliment Him on his sense of humor. This film I recommend to all ages, all peoples, all faiths. It is a film like no other.

I loved this movie since I was a kid!! I had my granddaughter watch it with me and she loved it also! She had so many questions and thank god I was able to answer.

I was worried about how the movie would play, seeing I only paid $22 but it was quite clear.My childhood movie that I love

Even though it is older film, it really captures the history of the people in an entertaining movieThe whole family can watch it.It is humorous, has an easy storylineThis film has a hero and villian with a happy ending

Been looking for this movie forever!

Well worth the price. The acting and story line are very good. The costumes were well done. I would recommend this to anyone who is into native culture.

Love this Movie.