NINE [9] NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN
FILMS ON THREE DVDs

*** SEVEN HOURS OF RARE FOOTAGE ***

(circa 1910-1970)

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND AWARD WINNING FILMS THAT DOCUMENT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE

DVD #1

WHITE FAWN'S DEVOTION (1910)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 11 MINUTES : B/W : SILENT

This film, the first ever produced by an Native American director, was made in memory of Wounded Knee and is told from an Indian view point. The plot revolves around a white settler who marries a native woman, has a child (White Fawn), and lives modestly among the Indians. After learning that he has inherited a fortune, his wife kills herself and the tribe blames him, tracks him down and brings him before the elders to determine his fate.

THE INVADERS (1912)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 41 MINUTES : B/W : SILENT

A rare, politically incorrect film for it's time, this film tells the story of how the government broke treaties with Native American tribes on behalf of the encroaching railroads. A surprisingly well written and sensitive story that holds tremendous historical value.

THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (1920)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 71 MINUTES : B/W : SILENT w/MUSIC

Classic adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper 's novel about the American frontier during the French and Indian War. Famous silent film stars Wallace Beery (Magua), Lillian Hall (Alice Munro) and Harry Lorraine (Hawkeye) give tremendous, non-stereotypical, performances in this faced paced, action packed film.

DVD #2

NANOOK OF THE NORTH (1922)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 55 MINUTES : B/W : SILENT w/MUSIC

Widely considered the first anthropological documentary film in cinematographic history!

This critically acclaimed masterpiece was inspired by a series of Canadian terrain explorations performed by Robert Flaherty on behalf of shipping tycoon Sir William Mackenzie between 1910 and 1916. Much of the original footage was destroyed by fire in 1918 so Flaherty went back to Canada where he met up with Nanook, "The Bear", Chief of the Itivimuits and renowned hunter who graciously allowed Flaherty to film the daily lives of his Eskimo (Inuit) family and their continuous struggle for survival among the frozen tundra of Northern Canada until 1920.

HUNGER (1930)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 138 MINUTES : DUOTONE : SILENT w/MUSIC

Produced by Chief Yellow Robe, this rare documentary film has an all Ojibwe Indian cast re-enacting ancient rituals and tribal life before the Europeans arrived on the Canadian landscape.  A truly historical early film that shows the perseverance of a determined people and how they conquered the harsh environment of Northern Canada for thousands of years. Excellent footage of wild animals, ceremonial clothing, rituals, ancient tools and early 19th century Native Americans.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Contains one of the earliest usages of a zoom lens in cinematic history!

DVD #3

THE PUEBLO HERITAGE (1950)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 20 MINUTES : COLOR w/SOUND

Traces the history of the Pueblo Indians from the Mesa Verde to present day Pueblos with an emphasis on Taos, Acoma, and the Zuni. Concludes with scenes of Indian Ceremonials in Gallup, New Mexico. Beautiful scenes of ancient architecture, artifacts and ceremonial dress. Made with the cooperation of the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Park Service.

SPIRIT IN THE EARTH (1951)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 25 MINUTES : COLOR w/SOUND

The American West by car and the retelling of a Native American myth.

NAVAJO CANYON COUNTRY (1954)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 12 MINUTES : COLOR w/SOUND

A rare documentary film showing the lifestyle and culture of the Navajo Nation and the Dineh people after being forced to relocate to Arizona and New Mexico decades earlier. We see how they cope with the harsh environment and struggle to hold on to their heritage while merging with the surrounding communities and workforce.

GERONIMO JONES (1970)

APPROX. RUN TIME: 21 MINUTES : COLOR w/SOUND

Young Geronimo (a direct descendant of the great Apache warrior Geronimo) learns the traditions of his native heritage from his grandfather, a medicine man, who tells Geronimo that he will be a great medicine man one day as well. The grandfather gives Geronimo an ancient tribal artifact believed to have mystical, spiritual and magical powers and tells the story of his people. Geronimo heads to town, passing by his father's grave, to buy his grandfather a birthday gift and ends up trading the ancient artifact for a television. When Geronimo and his grandfather turn on the TV, the two are reminded of the tumultuous relationship of the Native American with contemporary American culture.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

* Cine Golden Eagle Award *
* San Francisco film festival Award *
* National Educational film Festival Award *
* Oakland Film Festival “Humanities Award” *
* Premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York *
* Columbus Film Festival “Golden Christopher” Award *

NINE (9) RARE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN FILMS

A final word about these films... The first 2 DVDs contain, unedited, original films that were shown in movie theatres over 75 years ago and the 3rd DVD contains old independent films shown in classrooms over 35 years ago so please don't expect them to have the same production quality as you would find in feature films produced using today's technology.