Rating: - Beautiful, Touching Film That Is Too Often Misunderstood
This review is based upon the VHS version, as the DVD version needs to be re-released so all can afford to enjoy the movie in the wide-screen format.

As a former professor of Native American Studies, I have been asked numerous questions about this thought provoking, well photographed (although I wish they would actually film movies about Montana, in Montana), and touchingly portrayed movie. After reading many of the reviews, including the editorial reviews, I find myself compelled to write my own review; and have waited this long only in hopes of viewing the DVD version first. But, after two years of unanswered letters to the production company requesting that the movie be re-released, I purchased the VHS version. To the best of my knowledge, the primary difference, which is unfortunate, is that the VHS version is full screen.

First off, I can not comment on what the producers/director/writer were thinking or intending to accomplish with this film; I can only comment on what I think about the film as I view it. And, as such, let me start by stating that the movie is NOT ABOUT Cheyenne Indians, Dog Soldiers, bounty hunters, or Montana. The movie IS NOT a western, a historical film, a cinema that "pours 'Dances with Wolves' syrup into some parallel copy cat fashion, or an escapist adventure.

What the movie IS, as stated to those listening, is a modern day legend; a fanciful, romantic tale told in "campfire" tradition. The movie IS a story being told--not acted out or portrayed--to the viewer; it IS AN ORAL tradition, rendered in cinematic format. As an oral story, then, the "irritating, tacked-on voice-over narration that somebody must have thought was necessary to make sense of the story (it wasn't)," is in fact an intrinsic component of the movie experience: the viewer is listening to the story teller and imagining the story in their mind. Equally important, the story teller tells us--the listener/viewer--that the events may or may not be so (i.e., true). It is from this context--of, what if it were true--that the content of the tale opens up to juxtaposing history and wishfulness into one beautiful, touching story.

In the tale of the "Last of the Dogmen," Lewis Gates (Tom Berenger's character) is repeatedly described in reviews as a bounty hunter, which clearly is not the case. I can only suppose that the fact that Gates is being hired (or that Dr Lillian Sloan (Barbara Hershey's character) sarcastically calls him a bounty hunter), somehow implies this, but anyone paying attention to the story can see that he is given a badge and Gates is an experienced back country guide (for which Montana has many such men and women). Such individuals are frequently part of search and rescue operations, and, when required, paid well for their work. I find Berenger's portrayal as such a person very accurate, and true of the one or two I personally know. As for the "Oxbow" region of Montana, I can only suppose that this is a quirky reference to the "Oxbow Incidence," and the use of the term to refer to a "U" shape bend in a river. Based upon other comments in the movie, I must assume that the movie is supposed to take place from the western part of Glacier National Park (where Logan Pass is located) to the Kootenai Forest; while the town of Yaak, Montana, could be the town portrayed in the movie. Are there rugged parts of Montana where few people go? Yes--especially the region I just described. Can someone hide there for long periods of time? Yes; just look at Biathlon World Championship Kari Swenson's story ("Abduction" (aka The Abduction of Kari Swenson) (VHS Tape - 1989); or 'Mountain men' case captured national attention, By GAIL SCHONTZLER, (Bozeman, Montana) Chronicle Staff Writer).

However, the character I most related to--and I suppose why so many ask me about the movie--is Dr Lillian Sloan (Barbara Hershey's character). Her love and respect (yes, I was disgusted with the fact that she was in charge of an archaeological "dig") for Native American cultures is nothing less than a reflection of myself. Is everything she states accurate? NO. Accuracy, in true non-Native American "campfire" tradition, is surrendered to what sounds best. Then again, without this bending of the truth, the premise of the tale is lost: survivors of the Massacre at Sand Creek "escaped" to northwestern Montana (which Hershey's character fairly well summarizes; also, see my review of "Soldier Blue" for comments on this massacre). Again, this is a "trick" of campfire tales: in 1864, there were literally only a few hundred non-Native Americans living in Montana, not the other way around! Moreover, there were no Dog Soldiers (a fraternal/men's social organization found among the Cheyennes and other tribes--although Wikipedia claims they were a band) at Black Kettle's encampment at Sand Creek; nor was Lone Wolf, a revered TRIBAL--not band--leader, present at the Sand Creek Massacre in southeast Colorado. To answer a question raised in another review, Dog Soldiers did not "pin" themselves to be the last one's fighting (as suggested by Hershey's character, Dr Sloan), BUT frequently acted as a rear guard during moves. In fact, there were many survivors at Sand Creek (but all were Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho Indians, not Northern Cheyenne--who reside in southeast Montana), not just a few as alleged by Dr Sloan (Hershey's character) in the movie. There was another men's society, frequently referred to as Contraries, that did "pin" themselves to be the last one(s) fighting (which is alluded to in the movie during Gate's dream), but they were as rare as they have become colorful in stories. Dog Soldiers--most likely because of their name--have been stereotyped by the media for centuries, as as such are a convenient group to tell stories about. To the movie's credit (albeit, mistakenly so most likely), they use the name Dogmen instead of Dog Soldiers. Lastly, I did not find Dr Lillian Sloan's (Barbara Hershey's character) interest in the Cheyenne to be "swooning over the 'noble savages'." I find her actions to be just what I would do, given the chance to find myself back in time when traditions were unchanged by European influences. Nor do I feel that the portrayal of the Cheyennes is stereotypical or romantic.

While the movie, like all movies, has flaws that detract from the film, Hershey and Berenger give wonderful performances, and the movie is one that will stand the test of time as a great form of entertainment, that can be watched over and over (hopefully on DVD soon).

As one final note, I would welcome any questions concerning the Cheyennes, one of four Native American nations I have studied for over 30 years.

Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.