DreamKeeper

I was frankly shocked to see something this good on commercial TV. A great story, great acting, great cinematography, and so true in every detail. How it ever got by the ABC execs I'll never know, since it's just miles ahead of the usual garbage they present. Of course it tanked in the ratings, but I don't think it was promoted too well. The one gripe I had was the constant and lengthy commercial breaks that thoroughly broke up the flow (well, I guess that's how they paid for it...). How about PBS picking up the actors, crew, consultants and writers for a series? Yoohoo, Ken Burns where are you??

In South Dakota, in an Indian reservation, an old storyteller Indian (August Schellenberger) asks his grandson Shane (Eddie Spears), who is in trouble owing money to some bad guys, to take his old pony and him to Albuquerque to the great powwow, an Indian meeting. While traveling, Grandpa tells mysterious Indian tales of love, friendship and magic and brings his grandson back to the Indian traditions and culture.

What a great surprise was watching "Dreamkeeper"! Released on VHS in Brazil, with 167 minutes running time, it is composed by several wonderful mystical Indian tales, with gods, spirits, enchanted horse, evil serpent in a lake, all of them connected through the narrative of the Grandpa to his grandson and with the support of excellent cast and special effects. This feel-good film is a must-see entertainment for the whole family. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Guardião dos Sonhos" ("Dreamkeeeper")

Note: On 03 May 2014, I saw this movie again on DVD.

Note: On 02 Oct 2021, I saw this movie again.

This movie was the most phenomenal movie I have ever watched in my life .It was a movie I could watch over and over again,It really touched my heart and soul and also brought me closer to my heritage I too am native American and proud of it .The story and talented actors will remain in my heart forever.This movie is not just a one person movie or for one to relate to.Everything about this movie was absolutely breathtaking from the scenery,plots, clothing and again the actors and the story line .It also taught me a few lessons about my family and the things they have taught me over the years .also with now owning the movie I now own the soundtrack and listen to that just as much.It does my heart good to see how there are many others that feel about the movie just as I do .

This film is, by far, one of the most thoughtful, authentic and

entertaining films related to the Native American experience and

storytelling that I have ever seen. Few people know that there are

over 500 different Native tribes in North America alone. This film is

a great, educational experience. It combines stories from ten

different tribes related to love, courage and redemption.

The acting is strong and the storyline works well as it drifts

between the contemporary story of a young teen driving his

grandfather across country to the First Nations pow wow, and the

timeless stories. Please watch this film.

They did a great job with this movie. Alot of care was put in to ensure authenticity and accuracy, from identifying each tribe with their sacred stories and proper language use to ensuring costumes were correct for tribes and time periods, even down to including the "wannabe" character who tags along through part of the plot. The intertwined theme related to gang activity and violence is also very true. Pine Ridge is one of the toughest places in America to grow up in. With a spiritual attachment to ancestral lands and close family ties, very few people really want to strike out on there own; and with no industry near the reservation, these two facts combine to an 80% unemployment rate. Alcoholism, drug abuse and gang violence make rez life as dangerous as the toughest big city neighborhoods of New York and LA.

This film took several months to produce and employed thousands of Native Americans, from actors and actresses to extras, film crew members and laborers.

The special effects accurately portray imagery of spirit characters without getting engrained in fantasia and the typical new-agey romanticized look-and-feel that some recent Indian movies have (say "Dances with Wolves").