Movies About Indians

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

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 American epic Western movie directed by, produced by, and starring Kevin Costner. It is a film adaptation of the 1988 book of the same name by Michael Blake that tells the story of a Union Army lieutenant who travels to the American frontier to find a military post and of his dealings with a group of Lakota Indians. The movie follows Lieutenant John Dunbar as he befriends and eventually marries a Native American woman and is adopted into her tribe. Dunbar and the Lakota battle the encroaching U.S. Army, culminating in a climactic battle. The movie is acclaimed for its depiction of Native American culture, with its use of Lakota language and its respectful portrayal of tribal customs. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is widely considered as one of the best western movies of all time.

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

The Last of the Mohicans is a 1992 epic historical drama set during the French and Indian War in the British Colonies of North America. The main story revolves around the love triangle between Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe), an Englishwoman, her intended, Uncas (Eric Schweig), a Mohican, and Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis), a white man raised by the Mohican. The story follows their struggles against the French forces, their Native American allies, and a group of hostile Huron warriors. In the end, Cora, Uncas, and Hawkeye are able to survive the war and maintain a strong bond of friendship. Along the way, the film explores themes of loyalty, courage, and love in the mist of a violent and chaotic landscape.

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 and starring Dustin Hoffman. The film tells the story of Jack Crabb, a 121-year-old man who is the only white survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn, and his life since then. Through a series of flashbacks, the film tells the story of Jack's life, starting with his picaresque adventures as a young man. He is captured by Chief Crazy Horse and his Sioux tribe, with whom he lives for some time and later fights alongside against the US Cavalry in the Battle of Little Big Horn. After being taken in by an old mountain man, Jack becomes an Army scout, eventually leading to his involvement in the battle. After the battle, Jack is taken in by a Cheyenne tribe and marries a woman from the tribe. The film follows Jack as he struggles to find his place in a changing world, and the effects of his experiences on his outlook on life.

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

Dead Man is a 1995 American Western film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. Set in the late 19th century, the film stars Johnny Depp as William Blake, a recently-deceased accountant who embarks on a spiritual journey across the American frontier. Along the way, he is pursued by bounty hunters, Native American warriors, and a deranged industrialist. With the help of a mysterious Native American, Nobody (Gary Farmer), Blake traverses a spiritual realm where he encounters a variety of characters, some friendly, some sinister. In the end, Blake finds redemption on his journey and passes on to the afterlife.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress, Sydney Penny
Rated R

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 Michael Cimino, starring Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, John Hurt, Sam Waterston
Rated R

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