Drama

Comedy

Powwow Highway

Handmade Films

United Kingdom

United States of America

English

A Martinez

Gary Farmer

Joanelle Romero

Amanda Wyss

Sam Vlahos

Wayne Waterman

Margot Kane

Geoffrey Rivas

Roscoe Born

John Trudell

Graham Greene

Wes Studi

Rodney A. Grant

Tony Frank

Chrissie McDonald

Sky Seals

Maria Antoinette Rogers

Nicholas Anthony

Kandi Brooks

Dalin Gomez

Irene Handren-Seals

Lafayette J. Harris

Bill T. Head

Ron Holmstrom

Mike Means

Marc Miles

Nuchie Nashoba

Rogene Not Afraid

Leigh Opitz

Randal Patrick

Stephanie Roberts

Ariane Rowland

Chris Rowland

Keith Shoulder Blade

Titus Shoulder Blade

Adam Taylor

Patricia Van Ingen

Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman

Del Zamora

James "JR" Pollard

Jonathan Wacks

Jean Stawarz

Janet Heaney

David Seals

Russell Towery

Jim Stewart

Junie Lowry-Johnson

Cynthia Sowder

Carl Kraines

Barry Goldberg

Jan Wieringa

Don Diers

Isis Mussenden

Denis O'Brien

George Harrison

Celeste Lee

Toyomichi Kurita

Angela Nogaro

Joanna Robinson

Lee Alan McConnell

Susan E. Novick

Kelly Schroeder

Dody Dorn

Michael Dressel

Wayne Heitman

Matthew Iadarola

George Leong

Terrisa Algarin

Ed Novick

David Maughan

Scot Silver

G. Lynn Maughan

Rick Barker

Shelley S. Boyle

Tim Carroll

Summer Eubanks

Randy Fife

Elena Bertagnolli

Ben Loggins

Lee Sollenberger

John Zumpano

Jorgen Wedseltoft

Steven Kline

Kathie Broyles

Jeffrey A. Okun

Peter McGinn

This is one of a handful of obscure gems that I will place on my list of 25 favorite movies when I get around to creating the list (Finnegan Begin Again also comes to mind).

This is truly an ensemble cast putting in superlative performances.  It is not  a message movie, which are sometimes heavy handed, but a serious thread runs through it in the form of indigenous people’s treatment, history and rights, but the story is not weighed down by the message.

Gary Farmer is delightful as an optimistic  young Cheyenne who buys a pony (aka a Buick)  and join forces with a Viet Nam vet who is an activist. They go on a road trip, with Farmer’s character using the old ways to gather power so that they can provide assistance to their reservation. There s tension and drama, but humor balances the story nicely. And the great actor Graham Greene puts in an appearance also.

The movie is based on the novel of the same name by David Seals, a real life activist for indigenous people and long time member of AIM (American Indian Movement).  It is difficult to find this out of print movie for less than $40 the last time I checked. I have a grainy copy I transferred from VHS to DVD with a grainy picture, but it will have to do as I do watch it every few years, and I think I am due for another viewing.

Powwow Highway (1989) - Original Trailer

Best Movies

Powwow Highway

Cast & Crew

Videos

Cast

A Martinez

Gary Farmer

Joanelle Romero

Amanda Wyss

Sam Vlahos

Wayne Waterman

Margot Kane

Geoffrey Rivas

Roscoe Born

John Trudell

Box office

More Like This

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Back to the Future Part III

Notting Hill

Grandfather Sky

Tiny Times 3

People on Sunday

Dances with Wolves

Alice, Darling