I bought a DVD of the film years ago because it is great. It is a really good example of cinematography, not requiring a lot of dialog to tell the story. It is simple, clean and clear.Gee, I need to add more lines to my review so that it will get added to the other reviews.Acting is good and timeless. Photography is great and timeless. Beautiful scenes, panoramas, and close ups. The seasonal shots are magical: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (snow).To me it belongs with a set including "little Big Man" and "A Man Called Horse". If wanting to know something about Native American culture and history.It even contains some simple humor."Dances with Wolves" and "The Last of the Mohicans" fit into a different category of "Indian" movies.January 1, 2016 I really like this movie, the story, etc. and now that I have a 65" 4K TV, I really wish it was available in 1080p widescreen HD on BlueRay.

I remember seeing this one when it first came out in 1980. I have to say that it was way too slow, there was hardly any action and life for it to be considered a good film. As a matter of fact, I don't know how this one even made it to the big screen! The film's portrayal of the Crow and Cheyenne Nations were respectable enough. But I'm afraid that's the only highlight of it. Most people who saw this one may think it was like any other typical Hollywoodish film where Indians are seen as the bad guys ... (today is a different matter altogether since Native people are seen much differently than they were back then.) But.... anyways...... I love ANY film dealing with Native people, but not the ones that depict them with the negative stereotypes! Fortunately I never saw a lot of those bad stereotypes. I just thought the story probably wasn't very well planned. Other than that, it was OK but not the kind that would earn any Oscars or anything along those lines.That's why I gave this one a 6.

A native Indian family fleeing from an area struck by disease, is forced to be on the move during winter, and grandfather is sick. With the last of his strength the old patriarch ascends to his death platform to join his ancestors. In these hard times resources are dear, and a sick and dying old man with nothing more to contribute to the family must do the noble thing and not be a burden to his kin. He would slow them down and consume food, blankets, space and warmth that should nurture those who will carry on his line. He must go with dignity and walk on the wind. It is his time.But as it happens this old man's greatest adventure and finest moments are yet before him, and as we shall see, he will not only contribute a much greater boon to his family than they or he could ever imagine, but he will ultimately find closure to a great tragedy he suffered in his own youth. Windwalker is a refreshingly different film. All dialogue is spoken in authentic native dialects, with subtitles where necessary to aid the telling. The story unfolds through the use of the sparing English narration and wonderful visuals. Also refreshing is the absence of any caucasian/native interaction and angst. All characters are native North American Indian. Good guys, bad guys, those whom the viewer decides himself/herself are good bad or otherwise, all are seen in a setting that predates the arrival of Europeans on the scene. Too, it can be seen that the indigenous way of life really wasn't idyllic just because Caucasians had yet to come along and 'ruin' it! There is disease, famine, rapacious attacks from neighboring rival bands... Sort of like Europe in a way, wasn't it? Free of heroic 'indian fighter' themes such as early cowboy movies had, Windwalker is also free of the latest theme in which the 'white men' are portrayed as having destroyed the native's presumed blissful former lifestyle. It is a blessing to be able to watch and share a movie with a North American native setting that is completely free of any political leanings one way or another. No racial tension or posture exists because it's all native. Bravo!The story unfolds with enthralling straightforward simplicity, and spiced with occasional dry humour, reaches a satisfying conclusion. Suitable for all ages, this is a movie well worth watching.

I picked up this movie at a tag sale since I am very interested in Native American type films. Obviously Dances with Wolves is now the standard by which all Native American subject films are measured....WOW... what a nice surprise to find this film that I had never heard of. Although it is a 1980 film, and Hollywood tended to use white actors for Native roles, who cares. What a great story. It is very subtle in the way the story unfolds, and leaves you guessing about what is happening and what is going to happen. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. If you liked this movie, you will love Last of the Dogmen (1995) even more.