Last of the Dogmen | 
 enlarge | Director: Tab Murphy
Actors: Tom Berenger, Barbara Hershey, Kurtwood Smith, Steve Reevis, Andrew Miller
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Category: Video
List Price: $9.98
Buy Used: $7.83
You Save: $2.15 (22%)
New (4) Used (25) Collectible (5) from $7.83
Rating:  104 reviews
Sales Rank: 6
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6303951031
UPC: 026359120237
EAN: 9786303951034
ASIN: 6303951031
Theatrical Release Date: September 8, 1995
Release Date: November 12, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Ex rental in good condition, case shows minor wear, tape plays well, guaranteed. Fast shipping!
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Despite an irritating, tacked-on voice-over narration that somebody must have thought was necessary to make sense of the story (it wasn't), Last of the Dogmen is actually a very moving and magical film. Tom Berenger plays a Montana bounty hunter who helps an anthropologist (Barbara Hershey) search for the descendants of a Cheyenne tribe who disappeared in the 1870s. What the two find in a remote mountain stretch is an entire community of Cheyenne who have kept themselves cut off from the modern world. A Dances with Wolves parallel emerges as the white outsiders gradually fit in, but Last of the Dogmen stands up just fine without comparison to any other films. As in Kevin Costner's Oscar-winning movie, however, there are ways in which this film captures a similar sense of yearning, mystery, and loss. --Tom Keogh
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 99 more reviews...
 great movie April 17, 2008
Kay (Gj Co usa)
i purchased this movie after owning the vhs copy of the movie i also had purchased the dvd previously and loaned it out but it was not returned to me so i repurchased it i have watched this movie numerous times and will continue to do so.
Beautiful, Touching Film That Is Too Often Misunderstood April 5, 2008
K. O. Edwards (Helena, Montana)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This review is based upon the VHS version, as the DVD version needs to be re-released so all can afford to enjoy the movie in the wide-screen format.
As a former professor of Native American Studies, I have been asked numerous questions about this thought provoking, well photographed (although I wish they would actually film movies about Montana, in Montana), and touchingly portrayed movie. After reading many of the reviews, including the editorial reviews, I find myself compelled to write my own review; and have waited this long only in hopes of viewing the DVD version first. But, after two years of unanswered letters to the production company requesting that the movie be re-released, I purchased the VHS version. To the best of my knowledge, the primary difference, which is unfortunate, is that the VHS version is full screen.
First off, I can not comment on what the producers/director/writer were thinking or intending to accomplish with this film; I can only comment on what I think about the film as I view it. And, as such, let me start by stating that the movie is NOT ABOUT Cheyenne Indians, Dog Soldiers, bounty hunters, or Montana. The movie IS NOT a western, a historical film, a cinema that "pours 'Dances with Wolves' syrup into some parallel copy cat fashion, or an escapist adventure.
What the movie IS, as stated to those listening, is a modern day legend; a fanciful, romantic tale told in "campfire" tradition. The movie IS a story being told--not acted out or portrayed--to the viewer; it IS AN ORAL tradition, rendered in cinematic format. As an oral story, then, the "irritating, tacked-on voice-over narration that somebody must have thought was necessary to make sense of the story (it wasn't)," is in fact an intrinsic component of the movie experience: the viewer is listening to the story teller and imagining the story in their mind. Equally important, the story teller tells us--the listener/viewer--that the events may or may not be so (i.e., true). It is from this context--of, what if it were true--that the content of the tale opens up to juxtaposing history and wishfulness into one beautiful, touching story.
In the tale of the "Last of the Dogmen," Lewis Gates (Tom Berenger's character) is repeatedly described in reviews as a bounty hunter, which clearly is not the case. I can only suppose that the fact that Gates is being hired (or that Dr Lillian Sloan (Barbara Hershey's character) sarcastically calls him a bounty hunter), somehow implies this, but anyone paying attention to the story can see that he is given a badge and Gates is an experienced back country guide (for which Montana has many such men and women). Such individuals are frequently part of search and rescue operations, and, when required, paid well for their work. I find Berenger's portrayal as such a person very accurate, and true of the one or two I personally know. As for the "Oxbow" region of Montana, I can only suppose that this is a quirky reference to the "Oxbow Incidence," and the use of the term to refer to a "U" shape bend in a river. Based upon other comments in the movie, I must assume that the movie is supposed to take place from the western part of Glacier National Park (where Logan Pass is located) to the Kootenai Forest; while the town of Yaak, Montana, could be the town portrayed in the movie. Are there rugged parts of Montana where few people go? Yes--especially the region I just described. Can someone hide there for long periods of time? Yes; just look at Biathlon World Championship Kari Swenson's story ("Abduction" (aka The Abduction of Kari Swenson) (VHS Tape - 1989); or 'Mountain men' case captured national attention, By GAIL SCHONTZLER, (Bozeman, Montana) Chronicle Staff Writer).
However, the character I most related to--and I suppose why so many ask me about the movie--is Dr Lillian Sloan (Barbara Hershey's character). Her love and respect (yes, I was disgusted with the fact that she was in charge of an archaeological "dig") for Native American cultures is nothing less than a reflection of myself. Is everything she states accurate? NO. Accuracy, in true non-Native American "campfire" tradition, is surrendered to what sounds best. Then again, without this bending of the truth, the premise of the tale is lost: survivors of the Massacre at Sand Creek "escaped" to northwestern Montana (which Hershey's character fairly well summarizes; also, see my review of "Soldier Blue" for comments on this massacre). Again, this is a "trick" of campfire tales: in 1864, there were literally only a few hundred non-Native Americans living in Montana, not the other way around! Moreover, there were no Dog Soldiers (a fraternal/men's social organization found among the Cheyennes and other tribes--although Wikipedia claims they were a band) at Black Kettle's encampment at Sand Creek; nor was Lone Wolf, a revered TRIBAL--not band--leader, present at the Sand Creek Massacre in southeast Colorado. To answer a question raised in another review, Dog Soldiers did not "pin" themselves to be the last one's fighting (as suggested by Hershey's character, Dr Sloan), BUT frequently acted as a rear guard during moves. In fact, there were many survivors at Sand Creek (but all were Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho Indians, not Northern Cheyenne--who reside in southeast Montana), not just a few as alleged by Dr Sloan (Hershey's character) in the movie. There was another men's society, frequently referred to as Contraries, that did "pin" themselves to be the last one(s) fighting (which is alluded to in the movie during Gate's dream), but they were as rare as they have become colorful in stories. Dog Soldiers--most likely because of their name--have been stereotyped by the media for centuries, as as such are a convenient group to tell stories about. To the movie's credit (albeit, mistakenly so most likely), they use the name Dogmen instead of Dog Soldiers. Lastly, I did not find Dr Lillian Sloan's (Barbara Hershey's character) interest in the Cheyenne to be "swooning over the 'noble savages'." I find her actions to be just what I would do, given the chance to find myself back in time when traditions were unchanged by European influences. Nor do I feel that the portrayal of the Cheyennes is stereotypical or romantic.
While the movie, like all movies, has flaws that detract from the film, Hershey and Berenger give wonderful performances, and the movie is one that will stand the test of time as a great form of entertainment, that can be watched over and over (hopefully on DVD soon).
As one final note, I would welcome any questions concerning the Cheyennes, one of four Native American nations I have studied for over 30 years.
Great Escape Flick March 13, 2008
K. Manno (SF, CA)
What a delight it was viewing this movie! the characters came across as genuine people you might actually know. The scenery was breathtaking. The story realistic yet fanciful. I've often driven through certain regions of the U.S. and imagined the lost Indian tribes that inhabited them. This movie brought my imagining to life. A hidden band of Cheyenne Indians still living as their ancestors did well over 100 years ago. It's "Lost Horizons" and "Brigadoon" of the native American world.
I love the outdoors, but must live in the real world to make a living. This movie provides an escape into today's wildnerness in which one is able to meet face to face Indians as they once lived. A bit fanciful and escapist, but heck, isn't that what you want when you view a movie?
 SPOILERS!!! It's been a while... February 19, 2008
Nico1908 (Florida)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
... since I saw this movie, but a few things keep bothering me (in random order):
If the "Dogmen" were supposed to be the last ones standing and fight until the bitter end, how come any were left?
It took Hershey and Berenger several days to reach the Indians, but when Berenger has to go to town for medicine, he gallops right on down the mountain, zooms into the pharmacy, and gallops right back up. Yeah. Right!
Which reminds me: Horses are plains animals and of very limited use in steep terrain. Indians hunting on horseback in those woods and mountains? Extremely unlikely!
Why does Berenger bother to blow up the passage behind the waterfall after the sheriff and his cronies have just been on top of him in a helicopter? What was the purpose? There was no way those guys could NOT have seen the Indians, so the whole dynamite scene was pointless.
Last but not least, I found the characters annoyingly stereotypical: the archaeothropologist is swooning over the "noble savages"; the Indians are stoic; the white loner is rough because he's suffered a tragic loss, but that's just a facade anyway; whereas the sheriff is really arrogant and hateful - to name just a few.
There was no chemistry between Hershey and Berenger whatsoever, and her character's ability to speak fluent Cheyenne was annoying.
Overall I keep wondering what the point of this movie was - other than producing some sort of "Dances With Wolves" spinoff with a pseudo-dramatic end when she decides to stay with the Indians and he rides off into the sunset.
I'm glad I watched this on cable and didn't spend any money on it!
 I haven't bought this DVD, but I like the movie a lot! October 23, 2007
H. Wm Rhea III
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I haven't bought this DVD, but I like the movie a lot! But then again I like movies where someone finds a people or a place that are unknown to the rest of the world. This is kind of a Sci-Fi western in that sense. It's a good movie and most people will like it once or twice.
|
|
|
