Relatively obscure as it is, I still had modest expectations from Shadow Of The Hawk - there are several positive reviews here on the IMDb, the idea is appealing, and the cast contains two of the unsung workhorses of 70s cinema in Chief Dan George and Jan Michael Vincent. A little part of me hoped that perhaps this might be one of those rare overlooked gems one is lucky enough to unearth from time to time. Sadly, the film does not live up to its potential - it has a couple of highlights, separated by long stretches of tedium; worse, for a horror flick, it commits the cardinal sin of being virtually scare-less for its entire duration.Mike (Jan Michael Vincent) has half-Indian ancestry, but has forsaken tribal life for a job in the big city as a computer executive. He is visited by his grandfather Old Man Hawk (Cheif Dan George), who wants him to come back to the old tribal community to help him fight the spirit of Dsonoqua, a vengeful old witch-woman who has previous history with Hawk's family. Mike is initially reluctant to turn his back on his high-tech city lifestyle to go chasing ghosts and goblins in the forest. However, a female journalist, Maureen (Marilyn Hassett), persuades him that he really should show enough respect to at least take his grandfather home and check out his claims. Maureen senses there may be a news story somewhere in all this, and that too motivates her. Mike, Hawk and Maureen begin the long, lonesome drive into the woodland but they are threatened by strange events en route. A menacing black car pursues them and forces them off the road; a masked figure continually observes them from the bushes; they are attacked by enchanted snakes and roving bears. As they near the tribal village, Old Man Hawk reveals that he has known Mike will be the one to face down Dsonoqua since he was a young baby. Now is the time for Mike to embrace his tribal roots and defeat the malevolent spirit of the enemy.The script trips up everyone here, lacking both drive and coherence. George is a wisened old pro, but he looks pretty indifferent here; Vincent was a rising young star at the time of release, but he too looks like his heart isn't really in it. Things are cursorily explained so there is very little interest or suspense in the events. A couple of scenes are neatly done - a snake bites Old Man Hawk while he sleeps; a car crashes into an 'invisible barrier'; a group of eerily masked worshippers emerge from the trees to terrorise Vincent while he stands in an enchanted circle... but these strong moments are separated by such long stretches of dullness that they cannot save the wider film. Too many scenes fizzle out without making much impression, and an air of dispiritedness hangs over the proceedings. 'Dreary' is the most apt description for it - 'Shadow Of A Movie' might have been a better title!

at 14 years old this movie scared the living bejesus out of me. ultimately, it is responsible for my love of being scared to this very day. i actually scratched my legs to the bleeding point through sheer nerves. i have never seen it since. i have not bothered to check on its availability, and i don't know that i want to. i hate disappointment. the last movie that threw me for such a loop was Phantasm. it was my first DVD purchase and by the time i got it all hooked up and running, it was late and i was all alone. i couldn't finish the movie til the next day, sunshine and daydreams! but enough of that movie, this was a milestone.

It's been about 20 years since i've seen Shadow of the Hawk ,i remember i came on TV quite often in the early 80's and i even taped it once , watched it multiple times and enjoyed it more with each viewing . The movie kind of has a "X-files" feel to it being spooky and mysterious the British Columbia wilderness gave it a very haunting feel much like the X-files and Twin Peaks had.I remember the spirit with the "white mask" gave me shivers ,especially when it attacked Jan- Micheal Vincent in the pool at he beginning of the film that was freaky ,and stalked the main characters throughout the film .I was fascinated by Chief Dan George and his character in the film ,his appearance alone with the long white hair and weathered face made you believe he was the wise old Indian who had great power and knowledge ,the most impressive effect in the film was the invisible "wall" he made to stop a pursuing car . At the beginning of the film Jan- Micheal Vincent's character rejects his native heritage but as the film progresses he sees it is his destiny and accepts his heritage to fight evil ,the Pacific northwest Indian culture is fascinating and it is nice to see it explored with this film . This movie is impossible to find on DVD or VHS and doesn't get played on TV much more either ,which is a pity because it is very entertaining i gave it a 9 out of 10 because of the many times i enjoyed watching it and the fact i think it is a good film .

Jan Michael Vincent is very good in this role as "Hawk", the grandson of a Native American medicine man, played by the venerable Chief Dan George. The plot? He must return to his tribe to safeguard them from an evil spirit. Along the journey through absolutely beautiful Northwest woods, Hawk, his grandfather and girlfriend must face attacks from both spirit and flesh and blood foes. An exciting and sometimes rather spooky road-trip. I give it ***1/2 out of *****.