The Dark Wind (1993)

Filmed on location The Dark Wind brings to life the popular hero of several Tony Hillerman best-sellers Navajo Cop Jim Chee. Chee (Lou Diamond Philips) is a student of the old ways who wanted to be a medicine man before he became a lawman. Now as a cop covering the Arizona Territories belonging to the Hopi and Navajo Indians he's torn between both worlds.When the badly mutilated victim of a Navajo skinwalker is found on Hopi Land Chee is suddenly plunged into a world of mystery filled with drug dealers F.B.I. agents witchcraft intertribal politics and revenge. Features: Full Screen Version 2.0 Dolby Stereo Suround Digitally Mastered Scene Selection English Closed Captioning System Requirements:Running Time: 111 Minutes Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 012236146780 Manufacturer No: 14678 Product Description

The Dark Wind

The Dark Wind The dvd arrived in mint condition and was extremely enjoyable. I look forward to PBS producing more of Tony Hillerman's masterpieces. June 5, 2008

DARK WIND

I watched this twice before really understanding it all and am I glad I did. I think Lou Diamond Phillips can really act and I thought his understanding and wisdom of Jim Chee's native American heritage and his more modern life as a peace officer was very well put together.I think he expressed it just as well. I felt this was worth watching and I will be viewing it again. May 2, 2008

wish it wasn't so

Like some Hillerman type excitement and entertainment? Keep wishing...
Seeing Robert Redford's name in the credits of what might pass for a high school film class production is quite a disappointment, but then, if it didn't make the theaters I guess you shouldn't expect much from the cartoon-like characters.
The story has no explanation for the two suitcases of cocaine that suddenly appear in Che's truck at the end. You'll have to read the book to figure that out.
Watch for the boom mike overhead on camera, unedited, in the climatic ending scene. December 15, 2007

Everyone Loves a Mystery!

Everyone has their favorites: Lou Diamond Phillips/Adam Beach, Fred Ward/Wes Studi, Errol Morris/Hollywoodesque. But everybody loves a mystery! I have enjoyed both Beach and Studi in the three PBS film versions of Hillerman's mysteries, so I was a little hesitant to "start all over again" with new faces. Heck, I'd already had to refigure these guys from the books! I'm happy to say that there is room for diversity. Phillips is terrific playing Officer Chee as a bumbling, cat-loving loner who is nevertheless tenacious and inwardly savvy about Indian ways. Fred Ward characterizes Lieutenant Leaphorn as a gruff, no-nonsense commander. Both are fitting and refreshing interpretations.

While not polished like the PBS fare, Morris' film has a definite authentic twang to it: location shots, like a real trading post (Shiprock Trading Post), a real Wigwam Motel, hogans and trucks that look old and dirty; Phillips and Ward wearing what look like real police uniforms, tacky and uncomfortable; the supporting cast, many of them speaking in Navajo and subtitled in English. Is it real cat food that Phillips/Chee actually licks off his fingers after spooning it out into kitty's dish?

What does the master say? According to Barnes and Noble, Tony Hillerman, in a 1999 online interview said, "Robert Redford has all of them optioned, and he hired Errol Morris to direct them. I have to say that I have seen worse movies. It wasn't released in the U.S. You can rent it in video stores, though, if you are hard up for something to see." Ouch!

Trivia holds that Morris did not finish the film "due to artistic differences" with Redford. It's also interesting that Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals) directed both Skin Walkers (2002) and The Thief of Time (2004) while Jan Egleson directed Coyote Waits (2003).

Gary Farmer bridges the gap, playing Cowboy Dashee in The Dark Wind and Captain Largo in two of the PBS flicks. After all, we're really one big happy family. Aren't we? Thanking the Native people for their perseverance, guidance, and wisdom is the best any of these films can do. And they do. March 20, 2007

Disappointing

This version of Hillerman just doesn't recreate the book's story for me. The actors are not putting out much effort and they are too obviously not Navajo. January 21, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...