Movies About Indian Reservations

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

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 epic Western film directed and produced by Kevin Costner. It stars Costner as John Dunbar, a Union Army lieutenant who is sent to the American frontier to live among the Sioux Indians. Dunbar's experiences with the Sioux, whom he grows to respect and admire, challenge the notion of Manifest Destiny and cause him to rethink his relationship with the land and its people. He ultimately chooses to remain with the tribe and fight for their freedom. The film also stars Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, and Rodney A. Grant. It won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Lee Tamahori, starring Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga
Rated R

Once Were Warriors is a 1994 New Zealand drama film directed by Lee Tamahori and adapted from the novel of the same name by Alan Duff. The film tells the story of the Heke family, whose members struggle to bridge the gap between their traditional Maori culture and life in urban New Zealand. The patriarch, Jake, is an unemployed and often violent alcoholic who abuses both his wife and his children, leading to the breakdown of the family. Despite the challenges they face, the Hekes cling to the hope that they can move away from the slums and live better lives. The film examines themes such as poverty, race, family, and the clash of cultures in modern-day New Zealand.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Chief Dan George, Bill McKinney
Rated PG

The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 American Western directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. The film tells the story of Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer whose family is murdered by pro-Union Jayhawkers during the Civil War. Forced to flee, Josey outlaws himself and sets out to seek revenge on the Jayhawkers. Along the way, he meets a diverse group of companions, including an old Cherokee warrior and a young Cherokee woman, whom he begins to form a bond with. Together, they fight off Union forces and Confederate bounty hunters, while trying to make their way to Texas. Along the way, Josey learns the true meaning of friendship and loyalty, and discovers a new life.

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

The Last of the Mohicans is a classic 1992 adventure film directed by Michael Mann and based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper. The film follows the story of Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis), the adopted son of a Mohican chief, and his two adopted Mohican brothers, Chingachgook and Uncas, as they help a British military officer, Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe), and her sister, Alice (Jodhi May), escape during the French and Indian War. Hawkeye and his brothers must battle both the French and Huron forces, while also protecting the sisters' lives, as they make their way to Fort William Henry. Along the way, Hawkeye and Cora form a strong bond and eventually fall in love. As the trio continue their journey, they face death, betrayal and ultimately tragedy. The Last of the Mohicans is an epic tale of love, loyalty, and adventure that remains a popular classic.

From Taylor Sheridan, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Graham Greene, Kelsey Asbille
Rated R

Wind River is a 2017 American mystery thriller film written and directed by Taylor Sheridan. The film stars Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tracker and an FBI agent, respectively, who team up to investigate the death of a young Native American woman on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. Along the way, they discover a dark and dangerous world of drug trafficking and organized crime that threatens to tear apart the community. The film also stars Gil Birmingham, Jon Bernthal, Julia Jones, Kelsey Asbille, and Graham Greene. Wind River is a story of justice, courage, and perseverance in the face of tremendous odds. It is an exploration of the systemic racism inherent in American society and the resilience of Native American people.

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

Little Big Man is a 1970 American western comedy-drama film directed by Arthur Penn, based on the novel Little Big Man by Thomas Berger. The film tells the story of Jack Crabb, a white man raised by the Cheyenne nation during the 19th century. Jack is kidnapped by an American cavalry unit in the year 1868 and forced to return to his white family. He eventually becomes a gunfighter, joining forces with Wild Bill Hickok and fighting alongside General Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Jack's life story is framed by his elderly present-day self, narrating the events that made him a man. The film is a satire of the western genre, and its depiction of the Native Americans and its lead character's transition from boy to adult have been praised by critics. Little Big Man was a moderate financial success, earning $30.2 million against a $6.5 million budget. It was nominated for two Academy Awards, and won Best Supporting Actor for Chief Dan George.

From Directors: Neil Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge, Jeremiah Hayes, starring Adam Beach, Chris Eyre, Russell Means, John Trudell
Rated Not Rated

Reel Injun is a 2009 Canadian documentary film directed by Neil Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge, and Jeremiah Hayes. The film looks at the history of the representation of Native Americans in Hollywood films, from the silent era to the present day. Through interviews with notable Native American actors, directors, activists, and scholars, the film examines the stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood and how those stereotypes have changed over the years. Additionally, the film looks at how Native Americans have responded to these representations, from protests to reclaiming and creating their own stories. Ultimately, Reel Injun shows how Hollywood's depictions of Native Americans have impacted both Native and non-Native audiences, and how these representations can be used to push for positive social change.

From Heather Rae, starring Robert Redford, Kris Kristofferson, Sam Shepard, Amy Ray
Rated PG

Trudell is a 2005 documentary film directed by Heather Rae which tells the story of American Indian activist, poet, and musician John Trudell. Trudell was a member of the Santee Sioux Nation, and his life and work are explored through interviews with Trudell and those close to him, as well as archival footage from the 1960s when Trudell was an active leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM). The film covers Trudell's work in AIM, his involvement in the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969, his transition to poetry and music in the late 1970s, and his continuing work as an outspoken advocate for Native American rights. Through Trudell's story, the film provides insights into the continued struggle of Native Americans to find their place in the United States of America.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Crispin Glover, Lance Henriksen
Rated R

Dead Man is an American Western written and directed by Jim Jarmusch and starring Johnny Depp as William Blake. Set in the late 19th century in a frontier town on the edge of the American West, the film follows Blake on his journey into the unknown. After being hired as an accountant in a small town, he is accused of murder and forced to go on the run. Along the way, he meets a number of odd characters including a Native American named Nobody, who guides him on a spiritual journey of self-discovery. Along the way, Blake encounters a number of strange and surreal situations, including a gunfight with a gang of outlaws, a run-in with a bear, and a surreal encounter with a former employee. Ultimately, Blake discovers his true self and finds redemption.

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

Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner is a 2001 Canadian Inuktitut-language epic film directed by Zacharias Kunuk and produced by Igloolik Isuma Productions. The film, which was based on an Inuit legend passed down through generations, tells the story of the title character Atanarjuat, who must flee his community after being wrongfully accused of murder. His flight leads him on a dangerous journey of self-discovery as he confronts monsters, fierce hunters, and other obstacles on his path to redemption. As Atanarjuat struggles to survive, he learns the true meaning of courage and strength. The film was a critical success, and it won numerous awards, including the Caméra d'Or at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.

From Chris Eyre, starring Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard, Gary Farmer
Rated PG-13

From Scott Cooper, starring Scott Shepherd, Rosamund Pike, Ava Cooper, Stella Cooper
Rated R

From Chris Eyre, starring Eric Schweig, Graham Greene, Gary Farmer, Noah Watts
Rated R

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

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

From Directors: Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg, starring Mel Gibson, Linda Hunt, Christian Bale, Joe Baker
Rated G

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

From George Hickenlooper, starring Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Jon Lovitz, Ruth Marshall
Rated R

From Jack Riccobono, starring Robert Duane Brown, Kevin Fineday Jr., Albino Garcia
Rated Not Rated

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