I'm sure that there is a story behind the casting of Trevor Howard as the old Cheyenne Indian who has led quite a life in Windwalker. We already know that Chief Dan George was originally supposed to be cast in the title role and that would have made rational sense certainly. Still Howard brings a certain noble dignity to the part of the old Cheyenne warrior though film fans on both sides of the pond are used to seeing him as ardent lover in his youth and barracks roisterer in his middle age in British films.As a young man Howard saw his wife killed and one of his two twin sons kidnapped by the Cheyenne hereditary enemy the Crow. Later on in old age Howard is as custom has, put while not quite dead on the funeral pyre. When he doesn't die being out there in the cold it occurs to him that their might be some higher purpose for him being kept alive. He rolls off that pyre and goes back to his family. And the rest of Windwalker is Howard learning why the Great Spirit has kept him alive.Windwalker is one of those sleeper films that people enjoy discovering. It is a film about Indian culture out in the plains and Rocky Mountains before the white man arrived. It is caringly and lavishly photographed in some rugged terrain the more realistic to make this film. It was what Dances With Wolves came to be later, the ultimate film about Indian life and lore. Nick Ramus and James Remar are wonderful as the two sons.This film came and went very quickly. Back in the day in 1980 when it first came out. I met a young man in one of our fabulous gay bars back then named Tommy Barker who had lived on a reservation though he was not an American Indian. He was quite steeped in the culture and we went to see Windwalker. It was great to see it with someone who really appreciated the film and its authenticity. I lost track of Tommy shortly after that. He was a great person and I certainly hope that he's not in the past tense for good. This review is dedicated to him.The phrase that Charles Dickens used in describing Dr. Manette in A Tale Of Two Cities "Recalled to Life" is how I think of Windwalker. I think you'll be blown away when you see it.

"Windwalker" will hold interest, but you have to pay close attention to the rapidly changing subtitles. This is sometimes difficult and leaves only a couple seconds to marvel at the fine cinematography. Also, I found the almost constant time changes to be somewhat of an annoyance. The "Native American" costumes, rituals, and language gives the film an authentic feel. Sorry I cannot say the same for the cave scenes, as they looked totally fake. Trevor Howard does a good job, and Billy Drago gets to play yet another deranged role, this time as a sexual predator "Indian". Though slow at times, and a bit confusing, authenticity overcomes the few faults. - MERK

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.

This exceptional movie is now in the long-awaited dvd format. It was a pity about the vhs original being poor quality--this "little gem" didn't deserve that sort of treatment--evidently the video was recorded on long-play to keep costs down and the clarity suffered. Now that this film is on dvd,it should be even popular than before.