Neither Wolf Nor Dog

I was a part of the kickstarter campaign and was lucky enough to see an advance screening. Having been a huge fan of the book I was eagerly waiting to see this movie and it did not disappoint!

All of the actors did a wonderful job bringing the characters in the book to life on the big screen! David Bald Eagle was masterful! Looking into his eyes you could tell he is wise beyond his years with a hint of mischief. No one on this planet could have played Dan except David Bald Eagle.

This movie should be required watching for every person and I highly recommend it!

I heard from two dear friends about the Kickstarter to get this movie made and the rest is history, as they say. I received my Blu-ray of the movie a few weeks ago and was finally able to sit down and watch it. It is a wonderful film that compliments the wonderful book. If you liked the book at all this is a must watch!

It starts off slowly, but that is to be expected and in doing so the film draws you into the world subtly. This is the second movie I have watched in the last several months that made me feel like I was watching a documentary more than a movie (the other movie was Loving). Everything felt so real! I felt like a fly on the wall simply watching Dan, Grover, and Nerburn. They felt like real people and not actors. The music, cinematography, use of sound, all of it coalesced to create this real world. It almost seemed like if I talked they would all be able to hear me.

I love movies and have several that engross me every time I watch, but only a select few (this and Loving) have hit me with how subtle and yet how very real they were. Watching this made the book come to life in a truly real way and it was wonderful. The slow pace worked perfectly as, like the book, you want to soak it all in and really hear and absorb what is going on and being talked about. Just like the book it leaves a lasting impression that ripples far beyond the end credits.

I was excited to hear this book was going to be made into a movie, although it took quite a while to get to this point. I joined the Kickstarter program and help funded it, thus I was able to screen it along with just a few others before it's official release.

Simpson does a fantastic job adapting th version of the book to the big screen. The acting was great, and the cinematography was outstanding. I thought the script was very good too, but I felt it could have used a few more of the 'impactful scenes' in the book to have a touch more profoundness...(not that the ones in the movie don't)... but I understand, there's only so much you can take from a book and put into a 2 hour movie. Those are tough decisions to make, and overall.. it a great job was done!

All in all, this was a great movie, especially considering the timeframe/budget that they had to work with. Thanks Steven for putting your heart and soul into this and making it happen. You did a wonderful job.

Being a huge fan of the book, the movie brought out additional nuggets in the story. I have read and reread the book finding new material in each read. Nerburn does a magical job of sharing his experience as a non-native in a native world.

Like the book, there were moments that I found myself laughing out-loud one minute and shedding a tear the next. This was a beautiful tribute to the Lakota community.

Would love to see the next two books on the big screen.

This film is based on a book by the same name; authored by the beautifully poetic Kent Nerburn. If you've never read his books, it's a must if you enjoy language blessed with deep meaning. The mingling of Nerburn's writing and the native perspective brings a subtle magic and spirituality to life. The layers of sound and silence, the mystical heritage and sensitive souls of the people in the books and this film make this viewing experience one of the richest you'll ever feel. Because of the sublime transference from book to film, both quiet and powerful, your heart and mind will expand. The movie is true to the original. AND while entertaining, the best feature of this film is the message. There's a valuable and not-so-hidden message which exposes a point of view seldom revealed. Neither Wolf Nor Dog is a cultural gem that everyone can relate to. The film adds important punctuation to American language in that diversity of thought, speech and act can crossover the borders of tribal lands and make a place in all our daily lives through increased awareness and sensitivity to the knowledge and experience of our oldest people. Cherish this film. Watch it over and over again. Share it. Read Nerburn's other books as they are purity and magic together.