Customer Reviews

Wind River

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a somewhat fictionalized account of the book about the true adventures of Nick Wilson called "The White Indian Boy" or "Among the Shoshones" depending on which edition you read. Both titles have the same text.

The book was more thorough and funnier but covers a longer time frame than this movie.

Basically, this movie describes the adventures of a 12 year old pioneer boy who runs away from his family and the drudgery of work on a frontier farm. He is lured away by Indians who promise him a horse if he will consent to be adopted by the Indian Chief's mother as the white child she dreamed she would have to replace the two other sons she has just lost.

He then lives and travels with the Shoshone Indians of Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho for 2 years. He becomes the adopted brother of the famous Chief Washakie and learns Indian skills from hunting to fighting.

Karen Allen, the best known actor in the film, is listed as the star but she really only has a small part. The main character is Nick Wilson with strong and authentic supporting roles by the Shoshone Indian actors. After 2 years, Nick returns home and meets up with his brother who has been searching for him all these years.

The main strength of this movie is the sympathetic portrayal of the American Indian. One weakness of this movie is that Indian life is idealized, much like Kevin Costner in "Dances With Wolves". The book does a much better job pointing out the bad as well as the good of Indian culture.

I would recommend this as a solid family film and would recommend reading the book after for a fuller and more true account.

This production is a pretty accurate depiction of a young pioneer boy's memoirs. The son of struggling Mormon immigrants, he chooses to spend a couple of years among the Wind River Shoshoni. The Shoshoni language is used to good effect. The filmmakers present the lives and values of traditional Shoshoni people in a good way. An excellent, honest introduction to Native cultures and traditions for people of all ages. The occasional lapses in production values can be forgiven in this positive and life-affirming film.

This an excellent movie. Blake Heron plays a supurb role as Nick Wilson. A. Martinez does an equally outstanding job as the Shoshone Warrior Moragoni. The Wind River tells the true story of Nick Wilson who lived among the Shoshone for a couple of years, and was one of the original rides of the pony Express. The live style and philosphy of Chief Washakie is told through the acting of Russell Means.
As a resident of the state of Wyoming the now home of the Wind River Reservation adn the Shoshone and Arapaho people I totally enjoyed the Wind River. I have this movie on VHS but now plan to purchase a copy on DVD.

This little known video is an excellent example of good cross-cultural story telling. It portrays both the Mormon and the Shoshoni cultures accurately and with respect. Unlike "Dances with wolves" which tells a similar story, the young man returns to his people. This has the benefit of being a true story. Scenery and photography are beautiful and make it a visually great movie for the old West. Good family entertainment with respectful approach to problem of inter-cultural identity and multi-cultural sensitivity.

This review is for "Wind River" (DVD - 2001)
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONCE AGAIN AMAZON HAS LUMPED REVIEWS FOR ALL VERSIONS OF "Wind River," THUS DENIGRATING THIS DVD VERSION!!!

I first encountered this film while looking for other movies about Native Americans on Amazon. It was frequently listed as an also recommended film by those who had purchased the film I was looking at. However, the front cover, showing the "white boy" leading Indians at Monument Valley, Arizona/Southern Utah--many hundreds of miles from the Wind River area of Wyoming--led me to believe that it would be a really bad movie. After a while, however, I read the reviews for the movie and learned it was about the Wind River Shoshone Indians and was based upon a book published under the titles "The White Indian Boy" and "Among the Shoshones." I became even more skeptical of the film, as I had read this book as a freshman at the University of Utah, and had found it fairly demeaning of Native Americans. Then some time ago, it went on sale, and I thought what the heck. It turned out to be a VERY fortuitous decision. "Wind River" is actually one of the most enjoyable movies about Native Americans I have ever viewed.

If you are looking for a wonderful movie you can enjoy with your family, friends, or by yourself, "Wind River" is unquestionably a film to watch.

"Wind River" begins with Nick Wilson (1845-1916) riding his pony express route (between Shell Creek and Deep Creek) in 1861, then flashes back six years to the Wilson family homestead at Grantsville, Utah Territory (1850). Nick is "goofing off" and playing with his best friend, Pantsuk, who is also teaching him "Goshute"--a Shoshone dialect of the Goshute tribe, which part of the Shoshone Nations. Nick (played by Blake Heron), the son of a Mormon family, wants nothing to do with farming and dreams of being free "spirited;" (this notion of spirit will come up again). The film then breaks away to [Shoshone Chief] Washakie's village (vastly smaller than in reality), where Washakie's mother experiences a recurring dream about a white boy coming and living with her. For those who don't believe in dreams, this sequence is most likely pure non-sense; for those who do, they will understand why Washakie (played by Russell Means) sends three men, lead by Moragoni (played by A Martinez), on a journey to find the boy. Eventually, Moragoni finds Nick, who at first is scared that they want to "scalp" or "kidnap" him. But, Moragoni makes it clear that he wants to give Nick a horse so he can ride away on his own free will with them:

"No force you (to come with us)....Maybe the wind calls you to come with us....If you feel the wind, you come....You are chosen; you come with me, you ride good, you learn how to live life like a great man." [The use of "poor" or, as I call it below, "silly" English is an artifact of the script that is entirely inappropriate in this film.]

That evening, Nick has a dream about "the wind" and the "spirit" of his friend--who died in an accident saving Nick. When Nick awakes, he leaves and joins Moragoni to go back to the Wind River. Poetically, Nick names his horse "Spirit." At Washikie's camp Nick Wilson becomes Yagaichi (Crying) and begins learning Shoshone language and customs, while teaching English to his Shoshone mother. After two years, and the death of his mentor, Moragoni, Yagaichi "hears the wind" and decides that it is best for him to return home. On the way, he encounters his brother, Elliot (played by Wayne Brennan), who explains that he has been "searching" for Nick for two years because "I knew you where out here." The movie the flashes forward, Nick is riding into Washikie's camp in 1861 to find that his Shoshone mother has died before he could return as he had promised. The "wind" of the Pony Express horse could not carry him there fast enough.

For me an interesting theme of the movie is the power of the "wind" and the "spirit." This theme of "wind" and "spirit," along with living life the way a good man should, form the heart of "Wind River." Indeed, two very potent segments of the film are during the singing of the songs "The Wind Calls Your Name" and "Enter the Circle." Both fit well with the content of the film.

While many other reviewers lament that the film drifts from or fails to "faithfully" capture the book--something I often do as well--in this case I think the movie is superior to the book. While there are some issues I have with the film--e.g., A Martinez's silly "broken English"--overall the film does a good job, within the time frame of 88 minutes, to portray Shoshone life styles. Conversely, I do not understand why the movie fails to explain why there are "white posses" looking for Nathan; or why Nathan's brother spends two years in a "Searchers" (John Wayne; 1956) type hunt for Nathan--beyond, "I knew you were out here."

My only real complaints about the "Wind River" are: 1) The movie was not filmed in the Wind River region, but rather in parts of California, and at locations in the Park City and St. George areas of Utah. While St. George is totally apt for the start of the film, the lack of the real Wind River Mountains was somewhat dissatisfying; but, if you have never seen them, then you probably would not know or care. 2) That so many non-Native Americans were cast in roles because they "looked Indian." (Technically, I should also mention that Blake Heron, as Nick Wilson/Yagichi, is clearly way too old for the part; but, using a younger actor would have taken much longer and cost much more to make the film.)

Lastly, I would like to make it clear that I feel that "Wind River" is a movie suitable for all ages. The PG-13 rating is most likely due to the number of people shown shot with arrows during the one poorly staged "battle" between Washikie's Shoshones and the Crows (to which Nick/Yagaichi watches from a tree). Afterwards, Yagaichi finds Moragoni just before he dies from an arrow wound to the stomach. I do not see it as excessive violence, but apparently some do. I purchased "Wind River" some time ago, and just got it back from everyone borrowing it to watch with their children. No one thought the film was inappropriate for their children; and more than a few grandparents loved the movie. Additionally, while "Wind River" may be conceived as a "Mormon" picture by some, of the eight non-Mormon families who have watched my copy, not a single person has even hinted such to me.

November 11, 2008: I recently loaned "Wind River" to another friend, who completely enjoyed the film: "I think this is my new favorite movie." However, both he and his wife felt that there were a couple of quick scenes that were too graphic for their son to view, and I wanted to pass this information along to readers of this review. In re-watching, I paid close attention to the scenes, and must concur that the PG-13 rating is appropriate after all. This rating allows parents the chance to watch before letting their children watch, and make their own decisions; which is what the rating system is in place for. Would I still allow my own children--if I had younger children still--to watch "Wind River?" Yes, because I think it is that good. But, and this is a big but, I would let them know ahead of time so they could close their eyes if they wanted to, and I would discuss the film with them afterwards.--Karl

Please Note: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.

I really enjoyed the movie. However I wish that the person who wrote the movie stayed more true to the accounts in the book. At the end the White Indian Boy is seen rescuing a man and the man ends up being his own brother. That did not happen in the book. Same with the real Indian boy in the book, he did not die like the movie portrayed it. I don't understand why the writer of the movie changed things because the real story was to me much more interesting. I say this as the story is written by one of my family members. I wish people could just write the truth as it is and not change things according to what they think is interesting. The truth is much better than adding some fabrication to the story. I would have given a 5 star if it had followed the book exactly but the movie writer did not and to me he insulted our whole family by fabricating the truth. People who don't read the book will think all the events are true when they are not all true in the movie. If they do movies based on truth why not use all the truth. It is a deceiving practice that movie writers use. Gee stop that nonsense already, write the whole truth and nothing but the truth. How is this world ever going to change if people don't use the complete honest truth? Otherwise the movie was good.

This a family friendly telling of a true story about the white boy taken willingly to be raised by the Shoshone. His family is unaware he left willingly, so they search for him for a couple years. Later he returns home and becomes a Pony Express rider. The production is well done and the attitude about Native Americans is healthy and realistic. I recommend this for the whole family. The DVD quality is decent, but not great.

A classic family film with a pleasant adventure/quest story based on some real events. We are transported into the old west during the strained relations between whites and Native Americans. A young boy named Nick who feels he's caused the death of his best friend agrees to willingly leave with a group of Indians also searching for spiritual peace. Nick spends two years with the Shoshone. During this time, his older brother searches frantically for him, never giving up hope that Nick is still alive. A coming-of-age tale from the heart that reminds me of a good Jack London story.

Chrissy K. McVay
Author of 'Souls of the North Wind'

Wind River turned out to be a pretty good movie,and in my opinion shouldn't be PG-13.It had amazing scenery,and the detail was outstanding.All the shirts and headresses and weapons were good.Even the horses looked good.The tipis and the Shoshoni camp was cool.The main character is Nick Wilson who WILLINGLY goes to live with the Wind River Shoshonis in 1856.It is set in the brush country of Utah and the mountains of Wyoming and Montana.A Martinez plays Shoshoni warrior Marogoni and befriends Nick in his attemps to fit in with the Shoshonis.Russel Means is Chief Washakie,who was a real chief in the 1850s.Wes Studi is a ruthless enemy(AGAIN!) Pocatello,also a real Indian.I don't know if they are really speaking Shoshoni though,and it kinda bugs me if they aren't,because at this point in the history of Westerns,after Dances With Wolves,Geronimo: An American Legend and A Man Called Horse,they should at least be able to speak the language.All around,it's a pretty good family adventure.

Being a true story made it even more enjoyable and showed more of the wonderful interaction between the Native Americans and the whites. Too bad the white man didn't have the same consideration for the Native American as the Native American had for all living things. Everything and everyone was a life form and honored by the Native Americans. I hope they regain their true and former culture and language as well as their own former spirituality w/out the white man telling them that if they don't believe as the whites, they are no more than savages. Look at the history of the white man in this country and then tell me who were the savages!! Thanks for a wonderful account of the greatness of a people who were so much more than those who stole their land, their heritage and their lives. Thank the Great Spirit for whomsoever wrote this movie. May you make many more.