O Pequeno Guerreiro

It's not surprising why this particular effort from award-winning producer Saul Zaentz has been completely forgotten, despite being released by a major distributor. It's extremely slow and seemingly endless, with lead actor McKee Redwing so bad that (even with the understanding he was a child at the time of filming) it's understandable why he never made another movie. The fact that his character is so sullen and rude for much of the movie doesn't exactly endear him as well. There is nothing here you haven't seen before (and better.)

The only points of interest are seeing some nice scenery, and seeing Randy Quaid and Christopher Lloyd (before they became famous) thoroughly embarrass themselves onscreen. Bet they don't list this movie on their resumes - and I bet Zaentz doesn't, either.

I rated this an 8 not because it is such a great film, but because it has all the elements of one. As a lite family film it plays well, but it could be a deeper, more adult tale, that would appeal to a larger audience. No disrespect to the performers really, the characters are written rather stiffly. Kiko Redwing is nice to look at, and carries his part well enough, but he's written more like a brat than a troubled kid. If you analyze his dialog, it isn't much better than the performance. I don't like to pick on kids at any rate. Charles White Eagle is amusing with his bits of wisdom and humor at Quaids expense but could be a little more aggressive. His character lacks internal conflict until a small memory flashback near the middle of the film. And neither of the central characters ever move beyond mere depictions... until a genuinely touching moment at the very end. The best performances are delivered by Quaid and Lloyd, and everyone else is peripheral. This sort of deadens the story, the way the rest of the boy's family just blends into the background.

The made for TV film 'Dreamkeeper' tells a similar story but relies too much on effects. 'Smoke Signals' has a similar theme but has a wider perspective on the community and the lore. This is a more intimate and potentially much more powerful story of a young Native American's passage into manhood and lessons about the conflicts endemic to our ongoing clash of cultures.

This is not much of a critique I know, but I do love this film and always watch it with an eye for what it might have been. I think this story deserves another shot at success. 90% of whats in theaters is remakes and sequels anyway. So why not?

This film focuses on an issue that is rarely addressed in the film making industry; the struggle of todays Native Americans.

The film lets us into the life of a young Sioux Indian boy, who lives in the big city with his mother. He hardly knows his father who passed away when he was very young. He is now a troublesome teenager who has a problem shaping his identity and denies his Native American heritage. In an effort to help the son, the mother takes him to meet his grandfather on the reservation. At first he finds the grandfather and his way of life outdated and refuses to befriend him. The grandfather who has a great amount of patience and wisdom finds a way to bond with the grandson. He buys him a horse that is limp, and tells the boy that the horse can be healed. If he turns to the ways of his forefathers and makes a pilgrimage to the sacred grounds the horse will be healed. The boy, who at first is suspicious, soon comes to feel attached to the horse and the lifestyle of his forefathers. Thru the process he gets to learn about his own family. The fate of his deceased father and the lifestyle and wisdom of his grandfather. Its a lovely film that I can highly recommend. The film is shot at a beautiful, scenic nature of the American Midwest. And the actors do their utmost to bring life into this wonderful story.

I loved this movie. It was the best movie I have ever seen. The cast were all wonderful actors. The movie was about three generations of Native American men. The movie showed the love the three have for each other and how the generations follow the traditions and spiritual beliefs. It is about love and respect that the generations have for one another. I have always enjoyed movies and Native American lives and beliefs. I think that they had a rough live but their culture is full of love and respect for one another. I would like to have sat down with my grandfather and learn more about my culture and beliefs. I think it is a beautiful thing to see the generations see eye to eye. I have been looking for this movie for many years and I have not found anyone that can order it for me. If anyone knows where I can purchase this wonderful movie, please let me know. Your help is appreciated. Thank You, Corine Romero