Near the end of 1970's "Little Big Man", Chief Dan George offers a wise bit of advice to Jack Crabbe, a line I've remembered ever since hearing it over forty years ago - "...sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn't". Interestingly, the old Chief found himself on his deathbed before a drop of rain on his face managed to revive him to live another day.

The comment in my summary line was spoken by one of the Crow enemies of Cheyenne Smiling Wolf (Nick Ramus),without realizing that it was also an unintended tribute to the Indian's father, the Windwalker of the title. The elder Cheyenne's quest to find his lost son stolen by the Crows in childhood forms the early part of this story told in flashback. Having given up the quest long ago, the story brings Windwalker's original quest to conclusion in a Native American narrative dealing with the great circle of life.

The story takes a bit of time in the telling, and since it's not a traditional Western, some may find the lack of action to be an issue to the point of tedium. One thing that could definitely have been done better was to name the principal characters as the story progressed. For example, I never heard Smiling Wolf referred to by name, nor the names of Dancing Moon, Spotted Deer and Horse That Follows. If those names didn't show up in the credits I would never know they were part of the story, and even now I'm unable to place them with the characters.

The surprise here of course is the way British actor Trevor Howard portrays the old Windwalker, quite apart from the historical characters he often got to do in the Forties. His craggy features and gravelly voice suited him well here, with a look that didn't force you to suspend disbelief that he wasn't a Native American. His presence in the story provides the anchor between past and present, in a tale that expresses devotion and loyalty to family torn asunder by bitter circumstances.

Srt in 1797 Utah, an aged Cheyenne (Trevor Howard) patriarch helps his kin to fight off a raiding party of rival Crow warriors and while he tells his grandchildren the story of their family. Along the way hee must risk his own life by passing a hard proof . Narrated by a voice-over , Smiling Wolf (Nick Ramus) , telling the perilous life of the starring Windwalker from his youthful (James Remar) falling in love for Tashina (Serene Hedine) and while suffering several dangers from a raiding party of enemy Indians . He conquered love and death...now he walks the winds of eternity!

Simple and plain Western with breathtaking outdoors filmed in naturals parks , being an independent project filmed in the Crow and Cheyennes Indian languages and subtitled in English throughout . An unique tale of 'Indians without a single cowboy' with great cinematography , splendid landscapes and rousing musical score . Including fantastic inspiration in the Native habits , showing spiritual apparitions and weird dreams, as well as the spectacular outdoors fom Diamond Fork Canyon, Utah, Smith & Moorehouse Reservoir, Uinta Mountains, Utah, Uinta Mountains, and interior shots on sound stage : Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Stars the classic actor Trevor Howard who gives a nice acting playing an ancient Indian warrior who has reached the end of his life is brought back from his 'death' to save his family , as he's the only cast member who isn't a Native American . Being well accompanied by a decent cast, such as : James Remar , Nick Ramus , Serene Hedin , Rudy Diaz and brief appearance by Billy Drago.

Here stands out the gorgeous cinematography , though being really necessary a perfect remastering because of the film copy is washed-up. Nicely financed by Arthur R Dubbs , an expert producer of nature films such as : Robinson Family , Across the Great Divide , The Mountain of the Robinson Family , Wilderness , Wonder of It All , American Wilderness . The motion picture was well directed by Kieth Merril . He is a good professional , a nice director and producer, known for The Great American Cowboy (1974),Amazon (1997) and 12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue (2012) , among others . Rating : 6.5/10. The flick will appeal to Indian Westerns enthusiasts . Well worth watching .

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.