Customer Reviews

Windwalker (Special Edition)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This movie has been watched by me almost as many times as I have watched Star Wars. It is one of the most beautiful visually stimulating movies I have seen as well as being a fantastic story. It is the first story of Native Americans to treat them with dignity, majesty and respect that I know of. I was surprised that Trevor Howard (a wonderful English actor) was chosen to portray the old Windwalker. However, he spoke the native dialect (I believe Cheyenne)with great dignity and reverence. The story is wonderful! The scenery is not to be beaten. The Native American actors were fantastic and you cannot find a better way to spend your time than sharing this with your whole family.

The movie WINDWALKER is a little gem of a film and rates as a 'must' for anybody interested in videos about Native Americans. As an Englishman,I found it unusual to find a fellow Englishman playing the part of a Native American. English actor Trevor Howard plays the elder Windwalker and does it very well,coping with the Cheyenne dialect competently and acting the part with conviction.Another white actor,James Remar(of "The Warriors"fame)shares the spotlight as the younger Windwalker and not looking at all,out of place.A young Billy Drago also has a part,playing a Crow scout,although Drago looks out of place, miscast as a white man trying to play a native.Nick Ramus is well cast as the twin brothers that make up the basis of the story and the rest of the native cast all play their respective parts well. The storyline is a novel one, enhanced by supernatural overtones which formed the basis of the Native American culture,underlining the human self-worth of the Native American warrior societies.Filmed on location in the Winter,the scenery is stark and forboding,adding to the film's realism and atmosphere.

If I could rate this a 6 or even 10 I would. I saw this movie when it was released. I purchased the video...nearly wore it out. I loaned it to a friend, who never returned it, and then moved overseas...and have been desperate to find another copy ever since. I think I'll buy 2, because NOT having this movie to watch is agony. Every time I watch it, I laugh, I cry, I get angry. The only movie I ever experienced that got me so totally involved. It is a masterpiece. It takes you to a time and place that no longer exists...the real "America"...when the native people lived according to their customs and traditions and religion untainted by other cultures. Unique. Beautiful. Moving. Best natural motion picture ever made.

Set in 1797, this is the story of a great Cheyenne warrior. Indeed, the film starts with the old man telling his life's story to his grandchildren as he lies dieing. He tells of the great love of his life, of his two twin boys, and of the evil ones who slew his wife and carried off one of the twins. He searched for his son all of his life but never recovered him. Now, at the end of his life, the warrior resigns himself to the Great Mystery, his quest unfinished.

Yet, the Great Mystery is not through with the old warrior in this world. He awakes wrapped in his robes, high in the air on his death platform. Has he been left for dead- or was he actually dead and returned? Either way, it is a good joke by the Grandfather, the Great Spirit.

The old man finds the strength to seek out his family. He trusts the Great Spirit to guide and provide for him. It turns out that his family is in great danger from the same evil ones who took his son so long ago. It is time to set things right again.

I am glad to see that this film finally made it onto DVD. My old VHS was about worn out.

I too am Native American, born on the Cheyenne River Reservation. While it would have been nice if there had been native American actors, this film broke the stereotype and was the first to present the Native Americans in an authentic way in spite of the christian influence of the ending. My first reaction on seeing Trevor Howard in the lead when i saw this film in the theatres was one of disappointment. However, after seeing the picture and the way he portrayed the grandfather, I realized that the director knew what he was doing. The way of life, environment and regalia are 100% accurate, as is the Crow and Northern Cheyenne dialog. While some Native Americans dish the movie because of the lack of Native American actors, they miss the point. For the first time, our culture and lifestyle are accurately reported, in a respectful, dignified way. This is my favorite Native American movie, far superior to Dances With Wolves which I also liked.

"Windwalker" is without a doubt one of the most wonderfully filmed movie in film history..The Nature scenery is Magical and breathtaking..And being on dvd it more then heightens the exsperiance..Not to take anything away from another great movie "Dances with Wolves" but Windwalker makes Dances with Wolves look amateur like..Windwalker is also along the same kind of line as Dances with Wolves..But Windwalker is entirely filmed with the words spoken in the various American Indians languages..With English Subtitles..Don't worry to follow the Subtitles is very easy for there isn't much spoken word in this movie..So you should have no problems with the subtitles..When this movie came out my girlfriend at the time TarynAngel is Indian (note her family doesn't like the term of politcal correctness of "Native Americans" her and her family say we been Indians for years now all of suddon we are told there is something wrong with the word Indian)..Taryn & I have remained good friends all these years..Her and my Mandy also became best of friends..I hope that amazon.com doesn't mind me asking the reader to pray for the safe return of Taryn (along with 2 other good friends of ours) who are currently in IraQ helping with the animalife crisis..Ok back to the movie WINDWALKER..So i seen this movie with an Indian girl closer then close to my side in the theater..That added to the Magic of this movie..Neither one of us never forgot the overwealming exsperiance of this movie..It is a marvelous America Indian story through the generations..On his Deathbed a Cheyane Warrior named "Windwalker" tells his grandchildren his story..He tells of his life as a young brave..His falling in love and marriage to a very beautiful Indian girl..To them are born twin sons..One is killed along with his Indian Bride..The other twin son is abducted..It is after the death of Windwalker the Great Spirit awakens him to avenge the deaths of his 1 twin son and his Indian Bride..Will he succeed in this mission..Will he find his missing twin son?? Will his Spirit be reunited with his Indian Bride?? Watch this movie and find out..The action is exciting..The plot will hold your interest..This is a adventure story that is truly a CLASSIC a movie that should be more known then what it is..This is a movie that will hold your memory long after you have seen it..It is one of the rare movies that is impossible for the viewer to ever forget..The ending scene all i will say that it takes place on the "other side" is very moving and very touching..We can only be hopeful that we will all be that lucky as Windwalker at the journey's end..It is by far one of the most powerful ending that i/we ever seen..And the way it is filmed is very mystical and very beautiful..When this came out on DVD i had to get it right away..The picture quality is more then fantastic..It would have to be real bad picture to ruin such a film's prescense..But this dvd stays true to the Natural Beauty of the Original Vision..But i was very disappointed with the extras on this dvd..The extras here aren't worth your time and are are an insult being on the same dvd as this great film..Most of the extras don't even have anything to do with the movie at all..The only extras that have anything to do with the movie is the trailors for the film and they are in very poor shape..At least on my dvd i must note that my dvd doesn't say "special edition" like the one pictured here.My dvd says in that spot "family classics" but the picture is the same as one here..A beautiful movie such as this they could have picked a better picture for the case.And no booklet.
But don't let that stop you this is a movie that can't be missed.
I shall end this by saying if you are interested in American Indian Heritage..And if you are a film lover at all you can't afford to miss this Masterpiece..If you are thinking of what film to buy next on dvd make it this one..You won't be disappointed..And you will never forget this film that is truly one of the best made and greatest films to ever grace its prescense upon us..Touches the soul..And can't forget to say that the Indian Girl/Bride of Windwalker is without a doubt one of the most beautiful dark eyed beauty you will ever lay your eyes upon..This movie "Windwalker" is in every sense of the word a CLASSIC both Indian movie Adventure Fantasy Love Story all genres rolled into 1 marvelous magical mystical film Truly a Brightest Blessing to any film fan..

A visually exquisite film with an interesting story, excellent performances, lush soundtrack and an authentic look which make for a very enjoyable and satisfying viewing experience. However, since it was filmed in Panavision, I do wish it was offered in a widescreen edition, which would be even better.

what can i say about this movie to do it justice... i was 10 yrs. old when this came out and was able to see this at the theater. it's a wonderful movie, w/ excellent cinematography, and a well written story. the scenery is spectacular too. fans of the recent "crouching tyger..." may like this one as well... not for the story, but due to the fact that this filmed entirely in native american languages. the story itself has no similarity w/ "crouching tyger..." other than that it is brillianly filmed, written and acted. if you want to have an experience, rather than just watching something, buy "the windwalker"... you won't be disappointed... trust me! watching this brings back the memories of a 10 year old movie fan. my one hope is to some day see the release of this on dvd. cheers all!

I have been looking for this movie for 23 years. I saw it in the theater when I was 17, and have never been able to forget it. I was just telling my husband about it (again, I bring it up evey few years) and I decided to try to look for it again. I am ecstatic that it is now available for purchase. I love anything having to do with Indians but this movie is something that touches your soul. You must see it. You will never see life the same again.

This movie has been my favorite hands down for many years. It has just taken me the longest time to find it and actually get my hands on a copy but thanks to this site I now own it. Many movies may come and go with their wild special effects but this movie is a classic native tale. I wish people would make more movies about Native american culture (everyone of them seemed to be a hit). Movies like this are good for the soul. If only we wouldn't just forget about the culture we destroyed with our westward push, we might all be able to learn something from these fine people.