Children of the Dust
Children of the Dust
R | 26 February 1995 (USA)
Children of the Dust Trailers

In the Oklahoma Territory of the late 1880s, Gypsy Smith (Poitier) is a gunslinger of African American and Cherokee descent. Smith helps African American homesteaders to settle the territory under the specter of Jim Crow. Meanwhile, a young Native American raised by Whites (Wirth) must choose between the woman that he loves (Going) or his Cheyenne heritage.

Reviews
jewelie-27395

I'm writing this review mainly to highlight the excellent acting job by Sidney Poitier and Regina Taylor. Their story line was the most refined, and they are a joy to watch. The other elements had some weakness, but overall I enjoyed this miniseries (which I hear is better than its movie counterpart "A Good Day to Die", where the many scene-cuts take their toll on the story). I appreciate another reviewer who indicated the historical inaccuracies; I always like to know if what I'm watching is real or fabricated, so thanks for that. As far as the ending...(SPOILER ALERT)...I would have written a different one that included a surprise escape, but that's just me. I can see why the writers when for high-drama; every actor needs a good rebellious-death-scene-with-screaming female now and then.

... View More
jimimac

I have given this movie a six because of the power of the story. I would have given it a higher mark but for the historical inaccuracies of the story. Its strong point was the fact that it showed black people in the west where they surely were, but in this movie present the first of the inacfcuracies. It would not have been abnormal at all for black people to have been in Oklahoma territory in the latter part of the 19th century. They had been there since the trail of tears. Some of the transplanted Natives were slave holders and simply brought their slaves with them. Second, a black Marshall in that territory would not have been strange at all. Gypsy Smith could have easily been modeled after Bass Reeves who was one of several Black US Marshalls who patrolled Okla territory. While there has always been problems between black and white Americans, it did not really occur in Oklahoma until it became a state. Thirdly, I can't believe that the light bulb which was only invented in 1879 would have been used in a barn in Oklahoma. Great idea for a movie, but could have been more accurate.

... View More
letarawrites

I'll admit to only wanting to see this film because of Billy Wirth, which for me was well worth the eleven dollars I spent on the DVD, but for fans of more violent westerns, this isn't the film for you. It was was good movie but I was expecting more action. The dialogue at times was kind of crappy as well as the acting, mainly from Joanna Going but the story was good. Billy Wirth most certainly looked the part of a Native American and did a pretty good job playing one, too. I'm not sure which storyline I liked better, Sidney Poitier's romance, Billy Wirth and Joanna Going's romance, or the ounce of action involved in the movie but it worked. Overall, this was a good movie that's worth the watch.

... View More
Audrey Beavers

This has to be one of the best movies we have seen and we highly recommend it for it's exposure of the injustices of bigotry. Billy Wirth is an incomparable actor and truly awesome as Corby/White Wolf. However, felt the story would have been enhanced if his character had more scenes. This is a movie that can be watched over and over without tiring.

... View More