Customer Reviews

Dreamkeeper

5 star:		(134)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This Amazon reviewer guy obviously has no clue about what this story is actually about, or why the film format is really groundbreaking for Native American film and DOES work, wonderfully. It really isn't a typical Hallmark film. He thinks the special effects are cheesy because he doesn't understand these stories that are being told... and missed the humor of a lot of it. It's not about "myths" in the way that White people see myths. It's about how story is life.

THIS IS NOT A CHEESY HALLMARK MOVIE. It's really artfully done and is not a typical TV movie about why mainstream culture should loooove those Interesting and Spiritual Native Americans. I hope this film won't get labeled as a Nice Family Film About Myths. The only reason it's a TV movie by Hallmark is probably because this was the only way to fund such a high-budget Native film. What's too bad about that is that it won't get seen by the independent/art film crowd who might give it the awards that it deserves.

Honestly, not to offend anyone, but I think that this film wasn't made for White people, it's really more for Native people who will understand its importance. It's kind of how there are a lot of important films about White people/white american culture FOR White people who share the culture of the characters that other people can watch and either misunderstand (due to lack of understanding of white american culture) or try to view it in its context and understand the white perspective.

In the same way, this film needs to be seen in its own context, apart from the fact that it was shown on TV and laced with commercials aimed at mainstream America, or that its being sold as a Hallmark movie. A lot of these stories told by the Grandfather are becoming less and less told, and now are preserved for the younger generations in a way that still respects the 'oral tradition' that they come from. I hope that eventually the film will be treated more seriously, and that all those serious film critic-types will give it more attention and recognize all the creative and profound things that are going on in the structure and plot and cinematography.

ABC and Hallmark should be commended highly for putting forth this outstanding program. Dreamkeeper is absolutely brilliant in every possible way. Production, direction, writing, acting, effects, cinematography, etc... everything was remarkable. It was inspiring, moving and educational all at once. I cannot recall ever being so moved by ANYTHING on TV. This show has restored my faith in television programming, and I know many other people feel the same way. I hadn't seen or heard any advertising about Dreamkeeper but just came across it as I was channel-surfing; it stopped me in my tracks and kept me enraptured throughout the conclusion last night. Amazing.

This is a must-own along with any possible tie-ins, i.e. resource & educational materials, as the content is of such a high caliber.

I hope the "head honchos" over at ABC and Hallmark get this message and know how much this program meant to alot of people.

For what it's worth, I am a "regular white guy" but my wife is Cherokee and African-American and we both were held speechless throughout the entire program.

"I want to tell you a story as it was told to me." This is the thesis of this wonderful three hour film. A grandfather tells his grandson (who has forgotten how to be an Indian) the Native American legends. The grandfather is a dreamkeeper who orally keeps the legends, culture and history of his people alive through stories passed down. Shane is a modern day 17 year old on the Res (the actual Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota) who embraces the gansta lifestyle.

By the end of the story you'll discover like Shane has that each of us as to walk the road of life (Good Red Road). Shane story is parallel to perhaps an ancestor of his named Eagle Boy who lived a thousand years ago. They are both on a Vision Quest (unknowingly to Shane). One of the many wonderful things about this film is that it doesn't just focus on the Lakota Nation legends, but many others for a more fuller experience. I will focus on a few major legends below to give you insight on the film:

1. Legend of Bluebird Woman and High Horse (Lakota): This is truly a treasure and the first of the many legends told by grandpa to hopefully help Shane resolve his conflicts (internal and external). You learn that a man's worth is in the good deeds he does. A real woman wants to be won with honor and not simply given away.

2. Legend of She Crosses The Water And The Thunder Spirit (Mohawk): This is almost like a dream world in the sky. This is truly visually stunning and another legend about love. You'll learn that we must always honor and respect the power of nature.

3. Legend of Tehan, The Red-Haired, White Kiowa (Kiowa): This is based on an actual story of a white man who became a true Native American. You will realize that a man's heart and spirit are more important that what blood he comes from.

4. Legend of Dirty Belly And The Dun Pony (Pawnee): This legend is truly inspiration, because it teaches that you should never count anyone out, because the least can have the ability to be the greatest. This legend has a message of faith during hard times.

5. Legend of Quillwork Girl And Her Seven Star Brothers (Cheyenne): This has to be my favorite legend, because it's simply dreamy! This is a creation story about the Big Dipper, showing us how dreams can guide us. We all should follow our dreams to realize our true destiny in life!

6. Legend of Raven (Chinook): This is a story of unselfishness, which Grandpa obviously tells Shane to inspire him to stop being so selfish and to start thinking about others. One must always think of community first in times of hardship.

7. Legend of Ekuskini And The Ghost Hunter (Blackfoot): This is a story about letting go and leaving the ghost of our past behind so we can embrace our future. We must all let go of our parents, while keeping their love deep within our hearts.

Shane Chasing Horse is a dynamic character, because he is not the same person he was at the beginning. We can learn a lot from our elders, and Grandpa makes sure that he tells Shane the importance of the stories in the sacred oral tradition. This film is a cultural treasure and the production value is as good as any blockbuster. I learned a lot about Native Americans and it made me proud to experience part of my own culture. After seeing this film no one will look at Native Americans again as those guys only used as props for John Wayne to resolve his conflict and become the the hero. In this filmatic masterpiece you'll discover many Native American heroes who will inspire you to walk the Good Red Road!

The bonus soundtrack is a treat as well, and for the price this dvd is a bargain! You will be truly enlightened and entertained! To be honest, I watch this film at least five times each year and I never tire of it, because it always leaves me wanting to know more about the Native American legends that helped shape a great people. God is Love!

We have TiVo and have complete control over seeing the best of absolutely whatever we want on tv. Just happened to record this one, not really knowing anything about it. We were blown away...... even my husband who at times goes for mindless action etc. We had expected to watch just a little bit of it, but ended up viewing the whole thing in one sitting (& no ads due to tivo). We have never wanted to buy a dvd or video so that we could see something again, but this production has done it. We'll be buying copies as gifts too.

The art direction was so well done, and the pace of the movie successfully convinces us the viewers of the change in world view and attitude that the grandson undergoes. The depictions of the stories were excellent, and the whole overall mood and tone of the production were very evocative.

I like the way each story had its own filming style. (Anyone who did a bit of Tim Leary experimentation in the 60s will find some nostalgia in the visual qualities of the story about the woman who lived in the sky with the thunder god -- the best depictions of those effects we have ever seen.) Wonderfully imaginative production. I would love it if there were more of these to come in the future.

Let me first preface this by stating that I am one of those people much more interested in contemporary Native American issues such as water/ land rights and language retention than I am in the spirituality stuff. The way I see it is that for every European like me there are probably a hundred that are awaiting a wizened medicine man to tell them all the secrets of the universe and bless them with long life...blah, blah, blah.....

Taking this into account I was a little bit cautious about 'Dreamkeeper' which I received as a Christmas present from my sister. How very pleasantly suprised I was. The story starts on the Pine Ridge Reservation and a young man - Shane - being co-erced by his mother into taking his Grandfather hundreds of miles away to the All Nations Powwow in New Mexico. Shane reluctantly agrees and so the real story starts.

Along the trip the Grandfather - a storyteller - relates stories that are relevant to Shane in understanding events happening in his own life and that of some of the people they meet along the way. I won't divulge too much else about the story except to say that Shane meets his estranged father and there is a reconciliation between the two. By the end of the trip Shane has also 'found' that there is more to himself than he believed.

The stories presented are great in terms of detail to attention, covering a broad breadth of Native American cultures and never neglecting humour - love the ugly woman in the cave. The acting performances are exceptional; Eddie Spears who plays Shane makes an excellent stroppy teenager (I work with them on a daily basis!). Sheila Tousey is as excellent as ever - has that woman ever acted anything less than superbly?

I cannot recommend this film highly enough, it explores so many issues and emotions like hope, faith, desire, anger and in a simple yet meaningful way. It will appeal to most new-ager types, but given my own respect for the film it will also appeal to a much broader spectrum of people.

The three hour length made me put off watching this DVD (it's actually from a television miniseries), but once I started watching, the time passed quickly (although I did watch it in two segments). At the risk of sounding crass, it reminded me a bit of some of the Disney efforts of the fifties to teach children folk tales and legends (Paul Bunyon, Johnny Appleseed, etc.), only the tales and legends are from the Native American tradition, and very authentic, as I understand it. The director makes use of modern techniques to create special effects (helpful as some of the legends involve supernatural effects, such as a rock turning into a bear).

This is basically a road trip story, with an old Lakota man telling stories to his grandson as they drive from South Dakota to an All Nations Pow Wow in Santa Fe, NM. The young man is in trouble with a gang, so he's anxious to get out of town. The old man is trying to get the young man back on track, but instead of lecturing him, as they travel, he tells the young man stories from their tradition that make an appropriate point. When the young man starts to talk of his love for a woman (how he got in trouble to begin with), for example, his grandfather tells him a story from the tradition about a young man who loved a woman. The stories are fascinating and like all good stories, express universal truths, for example, that being able to have whatever you want doesn't lead to happiness.

I know the DVD cautions about children, but honestly, I had trouble thinking of ANYTHING in this film that might be objectionable. I guess there was one story that someone who was prudish might have trouble with, but given television these days -- including commercials -- I wouldn't hesitate to rate this as "family viewing." I expect I will be rewatching this in the future, and the stories -- and their lessons -- will stay with me.

First time I seen it it re awoke my native heritage which I had gotten away from some trying to mainstream and be accepted. I now know that I was off, and am glad someone made a movie to let me know I was on the wrong red road.

It's ahame when someone like the amazon reviewer seems to slam something he/she obviously did not understand. and should try opening their typical american mind to the fact there are other cultures who do things differantly not everyone is a white american. the world is made of more then that! It's a sad statment they make on something that has alot of meaning for alot of people. regaurdless of their colour ect.
FYI I am 14 writting this review, and I know were my life was going, so this was a help to me.
Thanks hallmark for a wonderful movie!

A really great formatted movie I have seen in years. This movie I watched on TV and it kept me bound to the TV as I also recalled reading about a couple of the stories they put on film. That of the Great Serpent Iya that I have recalled him as. It is a great honor to now have a movie as great of many that has been filmed, also of Crazy Horse, Dances With Wolves, and many others that depicts the true nature of Native American Life in the now as well as the past. It is so sad the way the Native Americans were treated then and the life they live now due to the past, it is movies like this that brings a true meaning to the now Native Youth as well as the elders and young adults. Hoka Hey to DreamKeeper, Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related). With Wanbli Eagle), we soar, to Hehaka (Elk) we love and defend, to Mato (Bear) we stand strong, and to Tatanka (Buffalo) we will strive for our rights of a True American. Native Pride, Heart and sole. Too all, Mitakuye Oyasin

Robert Runnelk Erickson

Dreamkeeper brings to light the harsh reality of the Native American peoples. The "white" world is drawing the young people away from their traditions and history.
Many Peoples have only had an oral tradition both of the Nations history and Teachings. As the Elders leave the Wheel and return to Creator, their Stories are lost, and thereby the teaching of a new generation.
It points out both that the Young are turning away from the Elders Teachings and a potent reminder that the Young are our only hope for the future.
Youth are turning to gangs for a sense of belonging, to drugs and alcohol as an 'escape' from Rez life. This movie can help them see that they have a strong heritage in their Blood that they can be proud of, that their People are a great people and they can also be proud of them.
Hopefully to remind them, as was said by the Grandfather in the movie: "There is no I, there is no Me, in our language!". Life is about the People as a whole/clan/family.
I will be watching this movie again and again.

The other reviews do a good job of singing the praises of this movie, so I just want to add a few things:

Dreamkeeper does a brilliant job of weaving the traditional stories of the past with the present. Even my 12 year old commented on how well the stories were connected to the main plot, and brought together at the end. The Amazon reviewer who implied otherwise was obviously not paying attention or not as smart as a 12 year old.

Also, the special effects are outstanding. My boys who have been raised on Playstation 2 games and Star Wars movies were blown away. They LOVE this movie.

Finally, this is the only movie we own that is loved by every kid that views it here. We have had several parents borrow it only to end up buying their own copies. What makes this movie so special is that it is not patronizing or condescending. While I agree that it was not made for white people, anyone with an appreciation of other cultures will enjoy this movie immensely.