Movies About American Indians

From Kevin Costner, starring Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Rated PG-13

Dances with Wolves is a drama film directed by Kevin Costner. It tells the story of Lt. John Dunbar (Costner), a Union soldier in the Civil War who is sent to the frontier and discovers the Lakota Sioux people. Through his interactions with them, he gradually comes to learn and appreciate their culture, and eventually becomes a respected member of the tribe. Along the way, he also must contend with the machinations of the U.S. Army, which is attempting to take over the Sioux land. The film features sweeping cinematography, powerful performances, and an emotional story of personal growth and acceptance.

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond
Rated Passed

The Searchers is an epic western directed by John Ford and released in 1956. It stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, an ex-Confederate soldier who spends years in the American West searching for his niece, Debbie, who has been kidnapped by Comanche Indians. Along the way, Ethan is joined by his adopted nephew, Martin Pawley, and the pair traverse dangerous terrain and face off against both Indians and renegade whites in their quest to find Debbie. The film is a classic exploration of themes such as racism, family, loyalty and morality, as Ethan is forced to confront his own biases towards Native Americans and his complicated past. In the end, Ethan puts his own life on the line in order to save his niece and bring her home.

From Mel Gibson, starring Gerardo Taracena, Raoul Max Trujillo, Dalia Hernández, Rudy Youngblood
Rated R

Apocalypto is a 2006 adventure drama film directed by Mel Gibson and produced by Icon Productions. Set in Mesoamerica during the decline of the Maya civilization, the film tells the story of a young man named Jaguar Paw, who is captured by a raiding party and taken to a Mayan city for a human sacrifice. While there, he must attempt to evade his captors, rescue his beloved family, and ultimately escape the city before it is destroyed. The film features a strong visual style, as well as an intense and dramatic score by James Horner. Along with its thrilling action sequences and intense drama, the film offers an insightful look at the Maya civilization and its culture.

From Michael Mann, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig
Rated R

The Last of the Mohicans is a classic 18th century adventure movie directed by Michael Mann and is set during the French and Indian War of the 1700s. The film follows the adventures of Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis), the adopted son of a Mohican chief, and his two brothers, Chingachgook (Russell Means) and Uncas (Eric Schweig). After their village is attacked, they team up with Cora (Madeleine Stowe) and her sister Alice (Jodhi May), who are under the protection of British Major Duncan Heyward (Steven Waddington). As they make their way through the war-torn wilderness, Hawkeye and his brothers protect the sisters from their pursuers, which include a band of Huron warriors, British soldiers and a French officer, Colonel Munro (Maurice Roëves). In the end, Hawkeye and his brothers fight bravely to protect Cora and Alice and ultimately defeat their enemies.

From Arthur Penn, starring Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George, Martin Balsam
Rated PG-13

Little Big Man is a western film directed by Arthur Penn, released in 1970. The film follows the life of Jack Crabb, a 121-year-old man who looks back on his life. Jack's story begins when he is captured by a Cheyenne tribe, who adopt him and call him "Little Big Man". He is raised by the tribe and, despite his white skin, is accepted as one of their own. Through Jack's adventures with the Cheyenne, he learns about their ways and culture, and even fights alongside them in battles against the U.S. Cavalry. Eventually, Jack must leave the tribe and make his way in the white world. He has many adventures in this new world, and eventually lands a job as a saloon keeper. Along the way, Jack meets many colorful characters and experiences love and tragedy. Throughout the film, Jack shows his resilience and ability to survive in both the white world and the Cheyenne world. In the end, he finds his true place in the world and finds peace with the life he has lived.

From Sydney Pollack, starring Robert Redford, Will Geer, Delle Bolton, Josh Albee
Rated GP

Jeremiah Johnson is a 1972 American western film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Redford. The film follows the story of Johnson, a mountain man in the 19th century American West who is determined to make his own way in the rugged landscape. After a stint in the US Army, Jeremiah moves to the Rocky Mountains and takes up life as a mountain man. He soon finds himself embroiled in conflicts with the local Native American tribes as he attempts to make a living as a fur trapper. Along the way he meets a variety of characters, including a Crow chief, a grizzled mountain man, and a mysterious Native American woman. As he struggles to survive the harsh land, Jeremiah must also learn to keep his own inner demons in check. In the end, Jeremiah must decide whether to remain in the mountains or return to the life he once knew.

From Zacharias Kunuk, starring Natar Ungalaaq, Sylvia Ivalu, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq, Lucy Tulugarjuk
Rated R

Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner is a 2001 Canadian epic film directed by Inuit filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk. Based on an Inuit legend passed down through generations of the Inuit people, the film tells the story of a nomadic Inuit tribe in the Arctic Circle, its struggles with internal strife, and the consequences of a forbidden love affair. The story follows Atanarjuat, a young man of the Inuit tribe whose life takes a dramatic turn after he angers the tribe's leader, Oki. In revenge, Oki murders Atanarjuat's brother and attempts to kill Atanarjuat as well. Fleeing for his life, Atanarjuat runs across the frozen tundra, pursued by an ever-growing band of angry Inuit warriors. With the help of an ancient spirit, Atanarjuat succeeds in outrunning his pursuers and makes it to safety. The film follows Atanarjuat's journey as he attempts to earn redemption and win back his place in the tribe. Through his quest, Atanarjuat discovers the truth behind the tribe's internal struggles, and ultimately finds the strength to forgive and accept his fate. The

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar, Ben Johnson
Rated Passed

From Michael Apted, starring Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard, Graham Greene, Fred Ward
Rated R

From Elliot Silverstein, starring Richard Harris, Judith Anderson, Jean Gascon, Manu Tupou
Rated R

From Terrence Malick, starring Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale
Rated PG-13

From Walter Hill, starring Jason Patric, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Wes Studi
Rated PG-13

From Ron Howard, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Evan Rachel Wood, Jenna Boyd
Rated R

From Robert Altman, starring Paul Newman, Joel Grey, Kevin McCarthy, Harvey Keitel
Rated PG

From Marcus Nispel, starring Karl Urban, Clancy Brown, Moon Bloodgood, Russell Means
Rated R