Windwalker (1980)

Very Cool!!!

Powerful

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Near the end of 1970's "Little Big Man", Chief Dan George offers a wise bit of advice to Jack Crabbe, a line I've remembered ever since hearing it over forty years ago - "...sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn't". Interestingly, the old Chief found himself on his deathbed before a drop of rain on his face managed to revive him to live another day.The comment in my summary line was spoken by one of the Crow enemies of Cheyenne Smiling Wolf (Nick Ramus), without realizing that it was also an unintended tribute to the Indian's father, the Windwalker of the title. The elder Cheyenne's quest to find his lost son stolen by the Crows in childhood forms the early part of this story told in flashback. Having given up the quest long ago, the story brings Windwalker's original quest to conclusion in a Native American narrative dealing with the great circle of life. The story takes a bit of time in the telling, and since it's not a traditional Western, some may find the lack of action to be an issue to the point of tedium. One thing that could definitely have been done better was to name the principal characters as the story progressed. For example, I never heard Smiling Wolf referred to by name, nor the names of Dancing Moon, Spotted Deer and Horse That Follows. If those names didn't show up in the credits I would never know they were part of the story, and even now I'm unable to place them with the characters.The surprise here of course is the way British actor Trevor Howard portrays the old Windwalker, quite apart from the historical characters he often got to do in the Forties. His craggy features and gravelly voice suited him well here, with a look that didn't force you to suspend disbelief that he wasn't a Native American. His presence in the story provides the anchor between past and present, in a tale that expresses devotion and loyalty to family torn asunder by bitter circumstances.

I bought a DVD of the film years ago because it is great. It is a really good example of cinematography, not requiring a lot of dialog to tell the story. It is simple, clean and clear.Gee, I need to add more lines to my review so that it will get added to the other reviews.Acting is good and timeless. Photography is great and timeless. Beautiful scenes, panoramas, and close ups. The seasonal shots are magical: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (snow).To me it belongs with a set including "little Big Man" and "A Man Called Horse". If wanting to know something about Native American culture and history.It even contains some simple humor."Dances with Wolves" and "The Last of the Mohicans" fit into a different category of "Indian" movies.January 1, 2016 I really like this movie, the story, etc. and now that I have a 65" 4K TV, I really wish it was available in 1080p widescreen HD on BlueRay.

A native Indian family fleeing from an area struck by disease, is forced to be on the move during winter, and grandfather is sick. With the last of his strength the old patriarch ascends to his death platform to join his ancestors. In these hard times resources are dear, and a sick and dying old man with nothing more to contribute to the family must do the noble thing and not be a burden to his kin. He would slow them down and consume food, blankets, space and warmth that should nurture those who will carry on his line. He must go with dignity and walk on the wind. It is his time.But as it happens this old man's greatest adventure and finest moments are yet before him, and as we shall see, he will not only contribute a much greater boon to his family than they or he could ever imagine, but he will ultimately find closure to a great tragedy he suffered in his own youth. Windwalker is a refreshingly different film. All dialogue is spoken in authentic native dialects, with subtitles where necessary to aid the telling. The story unfolds through the use of the sparing English narration and wonderful visuals. Also refreshing is the absence of any caucasian/native interaction and angst. All characters are native North American Indian. Good guys, bad guys, those whom the viewer decides himself/herself are good bad or otherwise, all are seen in a setting that predates the arrival of Europeans on the scene. Too, it can be seen that the indigenous way of life really wasn't idyllic just because Caucasians had yet to come along and 'ruin' it! There is disease, famine, rapacious attacks from neighboring rival bands... Sort of like Europe in a way, wasn't it? Free of heroic 'indian fighter' themes such as early cowboy movies had, Windwalker is also free of the latest theme in which the 'white men' are portrayed as having destroyed the native's presumed blissful former lifestyle. It is a blessing to be able to watch and share a movie with a North American native setting that is completely free of any political leanings one way or another. No racial tension or posture exists because it's all native. Bravo!The story unfolds with enthralling straightforward simplicity, and spiced with occasional dry humour, reaches a satisfying conclusion. Suitable for all ages, this is a movie well worth watching.

When I visited my sister in Arizona she told me that an old girl friend of mine had been in a movie, quite some time ago. We went to one of the video places and rented the tape. (DVD was not around yet). We actually rented the movie to see Dusty Iron Wing McCrea, as that was the girl that I went with back in the 50's. We really liked the movie. My sister is actually my half sister and half Sioux Indian. So is another half sister and brother. We lived around the Sioux in South Dakota up until the mid 50's and learned of their ways and customs, so the movie was meaningful to us. I will try to get it on DVD as some of the other comments say the quality is much better than the tape.