12 exciting films about Indians

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Adaptations of novels by Fenimore Cooper and Karl May, historical dramas and witty comedies.

12. Chingachgook - Big Serpent

• Germany, 1967.
• Western, adventure, drama.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 1.

In the middle of the 18th century, the indigenous population was also drawn into the confrontation between the English and French colonists of America. The daughter of the Delaware chieftain, Watava, is captured by hostile Hurons. Her fiancé Chingachgook tries to free his beloved with the support of his friend St. John's Wort.

In the mid-1960s, East German studio DEFA shifted from filming anti-fascist films to increasingly popular Westerns. The works of this company became popular in many countries of the socialist bloc, especially in the USSR.

The brightest star of DEFA adventure films is the Yugoslav actor Gojko Mitic. He also starred in the film "Chingachgook - Big Serpent", based on the book by Fenimore Cooper "St. John's Wort". Mitich is also remembered for the image of the leader Osceola in the tape of the same name and for his repeated appearance in the role of Winnetou in the film adaptations of Karl May's novels.

11. Lone Ranger

• USA, 2013.
• Comedy, Western, Action.
• Duration: 149 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 4.

Lawyer John Reid had no plans to become a ranger. But after the death of his brother, he still decided to defend the law, wearing a mask to maintain anonymity. The outcast Tonto helps him in his adventures. But the heroes do not get better right away.

This picture is based on the legendary US TV series of the same name in 1949, which, in turn, originated from a radio show. The creator of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Gore Verbinski, once again called the audience favorite Johnny Depp to play one of the main roles. And in the image of the ranger himself, he starred Armie Hammer.

In a strange way, this did not save the film from failure: the audience's interest was low, and critics smashed the picture to smithereens. Still, the film will delight fans of graceful filming and cynical humor that goes like this to Johnny Depp.

10. The woman walking in front

• USA, 2017.
• Western, Drama, Historical.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

The widowed artist Catherine Weldon goes to the Indian Reservation, dreaming of painting a portrait of the leader of the Sitting Bull. As it turns out, the US authorities claim the territory of the tribe. But the woman decides to team up with Sitting Bull to help the Indians. Gradually, heroes from completely different worlds come closer.

Surprisingly, this story, mixing political drama and romance, is based on true events. Although screenwriter Stephen Knight ("Peaky Blinders") has departed from historical truth in many details. But still, the real portraits of the Sitting Bull, painted by Catherine Weldon, are indeed kept in American museums.

9. Manitou Moccasins

• Germany, 2001.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 87 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

An Apache leader named Abahachi and his blood brother Ranger decide to buy a bar. But soon they are unfairly accused of killing the Cowardly Rabbit - the son of the Sly Slug leader. The heroes need to restore their good name and, along the way, find the treasure. But the difficulty is that the Indians have already dug up a folding chair and declared war. Although the only horse of the tribe sat down strongly after washing.

This insane parody of classic westerns was filmed in Germany. And the main thing is not to look for logic in the film. Many anachronisms are deliberately used here, and the plot twists are completely meaningless. But it turned out very funny - in the spirit of the films of Mel Brooks and the Zucker brothers.

8. New World

• USA, UK, 2005.
• Drama, historical.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

English colonists are just beginning to explore America. One of the first settlers, Captain John Smith, falls in love with the daughter of the Indian chief, Pocahontas. But between their peoples, irreconcilable enmity is developing.

Now many people know about the legendary love story thanks to the cartoon "Pocahontas". But visionary director Terrence Malick offers a more mature and incredibly beautifully filmed version.

Alas, the picture failed at the box office. She was not saved either by Colin Farrell's excellent acting, or the ingenious camera work by Emmanuel Lubezky.

7. Foes

• USA, 2017.
• Drama, western, adventure.
• Duration: 134 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Captain Joseph Blocker hates Indians. But it is he who is ordered to deliver the dying leader of the Yellow Hawk and his family to their homeland. Heroes travel through lands where hostile tribes live. On the way, they meet a widow whose entire family was killed by the Indians.

Director Scott Cooper directed a dark and controversial western-style drama. And the magnificent Christian Bale played here a hero who sometimes even causes hatred because of his prejudice. Yet travel changes even him.

6. Dead man

• USA, Germany, Japan, 1995.
• Drama, western.
• Duration: 121 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Accountant William Blake comes to the Wild West in search of work. But his place has already been taken, and the hero begins to pursue continuous failures, as a result of which he almost dies. Wounded, Blake hides in the forest, where he meets the Indian Nobody. He takes Blake for his namesake - a famous poet - and decides to help the fugitive.

This unusual painting by Jim Jarmusch is shot in black and white and imitates the classics of Westerns. But in terms of content, this is the most ambiguous film, where it is often difficult to distinguish reality from visions.

5. Little big man

• USA, 1970.
• Western, Adventure, Comedy, Drama.
• Duration: 147 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Jack Crabbe, 121, tells the story of his life. After the death of his parents, he was raised by the Cheyenne Indians. When the boy grew up, he was reunited with his sister and even made friends with the famous hero of the Wild West. Still, Jack never found his place among the white people.

For the United States, this film turned out to be a turning point in the Western genre. After all, in it the Indians finally appeared not as bloodthirsty enemies, but as a people with their own culture and history. But the authors criticized the order of American society.

4. The last of the Mohicans

• USA, 1992.
• Western, adventure, melodrama.
• Duration: 112 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

During the Anglo-French War in America, Colonel Munro's daughters are captured. White hunter Hawkeye, his adoptive father Chingachgook and brother Uncas have to help the girls and defeat the traitor Magua.

The most famous film adaptation of the book of the same name by Fenimore Cooper deviates greatly from the original. Strictly speaking, this is a remake of the 1936 film, not an adaptation of the novel. But Daniel Day-Lewis's brilliant performance and dynamic storyline made this version of The Last of the Mohicans the most famous.

3. Windy river

• UK, Canada, USA, 2017.
• Thriller, drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Huntsman Corey Lambert discovers the mutilated body of a girl on the territory of the Windy River Indian reservation. FBI agent Jane Banner arrives to investigate the crime scene. She asks Corey to help her find the killers.

Director Taylor Sheridan, in a confusing detective story, also showed the difficulties of the life of the indigenous population of the United States on the reservations. A significant part of the film is devoted to the topic of violence, and in the end credits they show the real statistics of the dead Indian women.

2. Apocalypse

• USA, Mexico, UK, 2006.
• Thriller, drama, adventure.
• Duration: 139 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

A Mayan village named Lapa Jaguar was captured by a neighboring tribe, enslaving the inhabitants. They want to sacrifice the hero himself to the gods. Jaguar's Paw is making every effort to save itself.

Mel Gibson tried to make the film as realistic and believable as possible. He invited an expert on Mayan culture to study all the subtleties of their life. And besides, the heroes speak the Yucatec language.

1. Dancing with wolves

• USA, 1990.
• Drama, western, adventure.
• Duration: 181 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

After being wounded in the Civil War, Officer John Dunbar is transferred to the western border. He serves in a small fort and at some point remains completely alone. Dunbar becomes close to the nomadic Indians, and then becomes a full-fledged member of their tribe.

Kevin Costner not only starred in the film, he directed and produced Dancing with Wolves himself. The efforts of the author were fully justified: the film collected an excellent box office and received Oscars in the main nominations: Best Film and Best Director.