Films About American Indians
Films about American Indians delve into the rich and varied stories of Native American tribes across North America. These films often explore the cultural heritage, history, and contemporary issues faced by indigenous peoples. They may depict historical events, such as the colonization of the Americas and subsequent conflicts, or focus on the lives of Native Americans today, highlighting efforts to preserve their culture and identity in the face of modern challenges. The genre includes a range of film types from dramas, documentaries, westerns, and even comedies, each offering a unique perspective on the lives and stories of American Indians.
“Dances with Wolves”, 1990
Director: Kevin Costner
Directed by and starring Kevin Costner, this epic western film tells the story of a Union Army officer who travels to the American frontier and develops a deep relationship with a band of Lakota Indians, which alters his perspective on both himself and the rapidly changing world around him.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd «Red Crow» Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Charles Rocket, Maury Chaykin, Jimmy Herman;
Production year: 1990;
Genre: drama, western, adventure, war, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 181 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Dances with Wolves” on the website imdb.com
“Into the West”, 2005
Director: Robert Dornhelm, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Jeremy Podeswa, Timothy Van Patten
This miniseries portrays the history of the American West from the perspective of two families, one of white settlers and one of Native Americans, depicting their interactions and the impact of westward expansion on indigenous peoples.
Starring: Matthew Settle, Skeet Ulrich, Rachael Leigh Cook, Keri Russell, Josh Brolin, Joseph M. Marshall, Gary Busey, Simon Baker, Zahn McClarnon, Michael Spears;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, melodrama, adventure, western;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Into the West” on the website imdb.com
“The New World”, 2005
Director: Terrence Malick
Directed by Terrence Malick, this film is a cinematic interpretation of the story of Pocahontas and her relationships with Englishman John Smith and settler John Rolfe, set during the founding of the Jamestown, Virginia, settlement.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Christian Bale, Q'Orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Wes Studi, David Thewlis, Noah Taylor, Ben Chaplin, Jonathan Pryce, August Schellenberg;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “The New World” on the website imdb.com
“Wind River”, 2016
Director: Taylor Sheridan
A thriller directed by Taylor Sheridan, the film follows a wildlife officer and an FBI agent as they investigate a murder on the Wind River Indian Reservation, bringing attention to issues of jurisdictional complexity and the plight of missing and murdered indigenous women.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, Gil Birmingham, Jon Bernthal, Julia Jones, Kelsey Asbille, Teo Briones, Apesanahkwat, Tantoo Cardinal;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: detective, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
“Black Robe”, 1991
Director: Bruce Beresford
A historical drama focusing on the journey of a Jesuit priest in 17th-century New France (now Canada) as he travels to a remote mission with the assistance of Algonquin guides, confronting the tension between European and Native American beliefs.
Starring: Lothaire Bluteau, Aden Young, Sandrine Holt, August Schellenberg, Tantoo Cardinal, Billy Two Rivers, Lawrence Bayne, Harrison Liu, Wesley Cote, Frank Wilson;
Production year: 1991;
Genre: drama, adventure, war;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Black Robe” on the website imdb.com
“Thunderheart”, 1992
Director: Michael Apted
This film stars Val Kilmer as an FBI agent with Sioux heritage investigating a murder on a reservation. It is loosely inspired by real events that took place on Native American reservations in the 1970s.
Starring: Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard, Graham Greene, Fred Ward, Fred Thompson, Sheila Tousey, Ted Thin Elk, John Trudell, Julius Drum, Sarah Brave;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: thriller, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Thunderheart” on the website imdb.com
“Skins”, 2007
Director: Charles Martin, Simon Massey, Jack Clough, Paul Gay
Directed by Chris Eyre, this drama film addresses issues faced by contemporary Native Americans on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and focuses on the complex relationship between two brothers.
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel, Kaya Scodelario, Joseph Dempsie, Hannah Murray, Mike Bailey, April Pearson, Kathryn Prescott, Lily Loveless, Will Merrick;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama;
Age: 18+;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Skins” on the website imdb.com
“Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”, 2007
Director: Yves Simoneau
An HBO film adaptation of Dee Brown's book of the same name, dramatizing the events leading up to the massacre at Wounded Knee Creek in 1890, serving as a somber reflection on the treatment of American Indians by the United States government.
Starring: Adam Beach, Aidan Quinn, August Schellenberg, Anna Paquin, Colm Feore, Fred Thompson, Chevez Ezaneh, Gordon Tootoosis, Wes Studi, J.K. Simmons;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, western, history;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
These films represent a sample of how American Indian stories have been portrayed in cinema, ranging from narratives that celebrate indigenous culture to those that present critical perspectives on historical and modern conflicts.
In conclusion, films about American Indians have long walked the tightrope between representation and misrepresentation, authenticity and stereotype. From the silent era's noble savages to contemporary portrayals that strive for a more nuanced and truthful depiction, these films reflect the evolving attitudes and understandings of filmmakers and audiences alike. Despite historical inaccuracies and cultural insensitivities that marred many earlier works, there is a growing trend of films being made by Indigenous filmmakers, providing a much-needed insider's perspective. With movies like “Smoke Signals,” “The Fast Runner,” and more recently “Wind River,” viewers are invited to engage with stories that range from the triumphs and tribulations of everyday life to the exploration of complex, historically rooted conflicts, all told through the lens of the American Indian experience. As the film industry continues to evolve, it is the hope that these narratives will be given the space and resources to flourish, fostering a richer, more diverse cinematic landscape that honors the depth and diversity of American Indian cultures.
