DramaComedy

Powwow Highway

Two Northern Cheyenne men take a road trip from Montana to New Mexico to bail out the sister of one of them who has been framed and arrested in Santa Fe. On the way, they begin to reconnect to their spiritual heritage.

Release Date : 1989-02-24

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Handmade Films

Production Country : United KingdomUnited States of America

Alternative Titles : Pow Wow Highway

Cast

Character Name : Buddy Red Bow

Original Name : A Martinez

Gender : Male

Character Name : Philbert Bono

Original Name : Gary Farmer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bonnie Red Bow

Original Name : Joanelle Romero

Gender : Female

Character Name : Rabbit Layton

Original Name : Amanda Wyss

Gender : Female

Character Name : Chief Joseph

Original Name : Sam Vlahos

Gender : Male

Character Name : Wolf Tooth

Original Name : Wayne Waterman

Gender : Male

Character Name : Imogene

Original Name : Margot Kane

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sandy Youngblood

Original Name : Geoffrey Rivas

Gender : Male

Character Name : Agent Jack Novall

Original Name : Roscoe Born

Gender : Male

Character Name : Louie Short Hair

Original Name : John Trudell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Vietnam Vet

Original Name : Graham Greene

Gender : Male

Character Name : Buff

Original Name : Wes Studi

Gender : Male

Character Name : Brave on Horse

Original Name : Rodney A. Grant

Gender : Male

Reviews

Peter McGinn

@narrator56

2021-06-23

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.