A century old storyteller and his grandson a troubled 17 year old boy embarks on a cross country journey toward self-discovery. Like Old Pete's wise tales themselves Dreamkeeper is important and illuminating storytelling for the entire family.System Requirements:Colore/Approx: 180 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR UPC: 707729144199 Manufacturer No: 14419

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THIS IS NOT A CHEESY HALLMARK MOVIE. It's really artfully done and is not a typical TV movie about why mainstream culture should loooove those Interesting and Spiritual Native Americans. I hope this film won't get labeled as a Nice Family Film About Myths. The only reason it's a TV movie by Hallmark is probably because this was the only way to fund such a high-budget Native film. What's too bad about that is that it won't get seen by the independent/art film crowd who might give it the awards that it deserves.

Honestly, not to offend anyone, but I think that this film wasn't made for White people, it's really more for Native people who will understand its importance. It's kind of how there are a lot of important films about White people/white american culture FOR White people who share the culture of the characters that other people can watch and either misunderstand (due to lack of understanding of white american culture) or try to view it in its context and understand the white perspective.

In the same way, this film needs to be seen in its own context, apart from the fact that it was shown on TV and laced with commercials aimed at mainstream America, or that its being sold as a Hallmark movie. A lot of these stories told by the Grandfather are becoming less and less told, and now are preserved for the younger generations in a way that still respects the 'oral tradition' that they come from. I hope that eventually the film will be treated more seriously, and that all those serious film critic-types will give it more attention and recognize all the creative and profound things that are going on in the structure and plot and cinematography.

197 of 202 found the following review helpful:

The greatest show to ever air on televisionDec 30, 2003
By F.N. Wright "musichead"
ABC and Hallmark should be commended highly for putting forth this outstanding program. Dreamkeeper is absolutely brilliant in every possible way. Production, direction, writing, acting, effects, cinematography, etc... everything was remarkable. It was inspiring, moving and educational all at once. I cannot recall ever being so moved by ANYTHING on TV. This show has restored my faith in television programming, and I know many other people feel the same way. I hadn't seen or heard any advertising about Dreamkeeper but just came across it as I was channel-surfing; it stopped me in my tracks and kept me enraptured throughout the conclusion last night. Amazing.

This is a must-own along with any possible tie-ins, i.e. resource & educational materials, as the content is of such a high caliber.

I hope the "head honchos" over at ABC and Hallmark get this message and know how much this program meant to alot of people.

For what it's worth, I am a "regular white guy" but my wife is Cherokee and African-American and we both were held speechless throughout the entire program.

123 of 124 found the following review helpful:

Native American Cinema Classic!Nov 14, 2006
By Shazzar Kallie "SHAZZAR.COM"
"I want to tell you a story as it was told to me." This is the thesis of this wonderful three hour film. A grandfather tells his grandson (who has forgotten how to be an Indian) the Native American legends. The grandfather is a dreamkeeper who orally keeps the legends, culture and history of his people alive through stories passed down. Shane is a modern day 17 year old on the Res (the actual Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota) who embraces the gansta lifestyle.

By the end of the story you'll discover like Shane has that each of us as to walk the road of life (Good Red Road). Shane story is parallel to perhaps an ancestor of his named Eagle Boy who lived a thousand years ago. They are both on a Vision Quest (unknowingly to Shane). One of the many wonderful things about this film is that it doesn't just focus on the Lakota Nation legends, but many others for a more fuller experience. I will focus on a few major legends below to give you insight on the film:

1. Legend of Bluebird Woman and High Horse (Lakota): This is truly a treasure and the first of the many legends told by grandpa to hopefully help Shane resolve his conflicts (internal and external). You learn that a man's worth is in the good deeds he does. A real woman wants to be won with honor and not simply given away.

2. Legend of She Crosses The Water And The Thunder Spirit (Mohawk): This is almost like a dream world in the sky. This is truly visually stunning and another legend about love. You'll learn that we must always honor and respect the power of nature.

3. Legend of Tehan, The Red-Haired, White Kiowa (Kiowa): This is based on an actual story of a white man who became a true Native American. You will realize that a man's heart and spirit are more important that what blood he comes from.

4. Legend of Dirty Belly And The Dun Pony (Pawnee): This legend is truly inspiration, because it teaches that you should never count anyone out, because the least can have the ability to be the greatest. This legend has a message of faith during hard times.

5. Legend of Quillwork Girl And Her Seven Star Brothers (Cheyenne): This has to be my favorite legend, because it's simply dreamy! This is a creation story about the Big Dipper, showing us how dreams can guide us. We all should follow our dreams to realize our true destiny in life!

6. Legend of Raven (Chinook): This is a story of unselfishness, which Grandpa obviously tells Shane to inspire him to stop being so selfish and to start thinking about others. One must always think of community first in times of hardship.

7. Legend of Ekuskini And The Ghost Hunter (Blackfoot): This is a story about letting go and leaving the ghost of our past behind so we can embrace our future. We must all let go of our parents, while keeping their love deep within our hearts.

Shane Chasing Horse is a dynamic character, because he is not the same person he was at the beginning. We can learn a lot from our elders, and Grandpa makes sure that he tells Shane the importance of the stories in the sacred oral tradition. This film is a cultural treasure and the production value is as good as any blockbuster. I learned a lot about Native Americans and it made me proud to experience part of my own culture. After seeing this film no one will look at Native Americans again as those guys only used as props for John Wayne to resolve his conflict and become the the hero. In this filmatic masterpiece you'll discover many Native American heroes who will inspire you to walk the Good Red Road!

The bonus soundtrack is a treat as well, and for the price this dvd is a bargain! You will be truly enlightened and entertained! To be honest, I watch this film at least five times each year and I never tire of it, because it always leaves me wanting to know more about the Native American legends that helped shape a great people. God is Love!

39 of 41 found the following review helpful:

The first movie that has made me want to buy the DVDJan 01, 2004

We have TiVo and have complete control over seeing the best of absolutely whatever we want on tv. Just happened to record this one, not really knowing anything about it. We were blown away...... even my husband who at times goes for mindless action etc. We had expected to watch just a little bit of it, but ended up viewing the whole thing in one sitting (& no ads due to tivo). We have never wanted to buy a dvd or video so that we could see something again, but this production has done it. We'll be buying copies as gifts too.

The art direction was so well done, and the pace of the movie successfully convinces us the viewers of the change in world view and attitude that the grandson undergoes. The depictions of the stories were excellent, and the whole overall mood and tone of the production were very evocative.

I like the way each story had its own filming style. (Anyone who did a bit of Tim Leary experimentation in the 60s will find some nostalgia in the visual qualities of the story about the woman who lived in the sky with the thunder god -- the best depictions of those effects we have ever seen.) Wonderfully imaginative production. I would love it if there were more of these to come in the future.

27 of 27 found the following review helpful:

Outstanding!!!Nov 08, 2005
By Mr. James A. Newton
Let me first preface this by stating that I am one of those people much more interested in contemporary Native American issues such as water/ land rights and language retention than I am in the spirituality stuff. The way I see it is that for every European like me there are probably a hundred that are awaiting a wizened medicine man to tell them all the secrets of the universe and bless them with long life...blah, blah, blah.....

Taking this into account I was a little bit cautious about 'Dreamkeeper' which I received as a Christmas present from my sister. How very pleasantly suprised I was. The story starts on the Pine Ridge Reservation and a young man - Shane - being co-erced by his mother into taking his Grandfather hundreds of miles away to the All Nations Powwow in New Mexico. Shane reluctantly agrees and so the real story starts.

Along the trip the Grandfather - a storyteller - relates stories that are relevant to Shane in understanding events happening in his own life and that of some of the people they meet along the way. I won't divulge too much else about the story except to say that Shane meets his estranged father and there is a reconciliation between the two. By the end of the trip Shane has also 'found' that there is more to himself than he believed.

The stories presented are great in terms of detail to attention, covering a broad breadth of Native American cultures and never neglecting humour - love the ugly woman in the cave. The acting performances are exceptional; Eddie Spears who plays Shane makes an excellent stroppy teenager (I work with them on a daily basis!). Sheila Tousey is as excellent as ever - has that woman ever acted anything less than superbly?

I cannot recommend this film highly enough, it explores so many issues and emotions like hope, faith, desire, anger and in a simple yet meaningful way. It will appeal to most new-ager types, but given my own respect for the film it will also appeal to a much broader spectrum of people.

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