Powwow Highway
1989 | 91m | English
Popularity: 1 (history)
| Director: | Jonathan Wacks |
|---|---|
| Writer: | David Seals, Janet Heaney, Jean Stawarz |
| Staring: |
| 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: | Feb 24, 1989 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Jonathan Wacks |
| Writer: | David Seals, Janet Heaney, Jean Stawarz |
| Genres: | Comedy, Drama |
| Keywords | native american, indigenous peoples |
| Production Companies | Handmade Films |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Aug 03, 2024 (Update) Entered: Apr 25, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| A Martinez | Buddy Red Bow |
| Gary Farmer | Philbert Bono |
| Joanelle Romero | Bonnie Red Bow |
| Amanda Wyss | Rabbit Layton |
| Sam Vlahos | Chief Joseph |
| Wayne Waterman | Wolf Tooth |
| Margot Kane | Imogene |
| Geoffrey Rivas | Sandy Youngblood |
| Roscoe Born | Agent Jack Novall |
| John Trudell | Louie Short Hair |
| Graham Greene | Vietnam Vet |
| Wes Studi | Buff |
| Rodney A. Grant | Brave on Horse |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Isis Mussenden | Costume Design |
| Toyomichi Kurita | Director of Photography |
| Junie Lowry-Johnson | Casting |
| Don Diers | Art Direction |
| Russell Towery | Stunts |
| David Seals | Novel |
| Janet Heaney | Writer |
| Jean Stawarz | Writer |
| Barry Goldberg | Original Music Composer |
| Jim Stewart | Editor |
| Cynthia Sowder | Production Design |
| Celeste Lee | Set Decoration |
| Jonathan Wacks | Director |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| George Harrison | Executive Producer |
| Jan Wieringa | Producer |
| Denis O'Brien | Executive Producer |
| Carl Kraines | Associate Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
| 2024 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| 2024 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Trending Position
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.