Last of the Dogmen (Ws)

"Last of the Dogmen" is a beautiful story that takes my breath away everytime I watch it. It's one of those films that even if you start out viewing it alone, pretty soon, you'll find the rest of the family gathered around simply because one glimpse of the scenery,one paragraph of the dialouge,one look at the story and it's got a hold on you.

It's a modern Western, with all the romantic adventure of one that may take place 100 years ago. Lewis Gates(Tom Berenger) is a bounty hunter hired to track three deadly criminals who have escaped deep into the "Oxbow" of the Montana wilderness. As he follows their trail, he begins to uncover a 100 year old mystery. One of the clues is an arrow that could only have been used by a tribe of Cheyennes that existed over a century ago.
He can't let go of what the possibilities may be and convinces the beautiful Dr Lillian Sloan(Barbara Hershey), expert in Native American culture, that there may be something incredible out there. Their search begins as they try to uncover the past, and what they find is a way of life too beautiful to be spoiled by modern day man and it is up to them to save it!

It's just an incredibly beautiful film that interweaves the search for the past with Gates' own ghosts from his past. The friendships formed,the evolving romance, the cinematogrpahy, the musical score, and the heartwarming story all combined for a wonderful film.
Even "Zip" the dog(played by "Zip"), will be tugging at your heart.Berenger and Hershey worked beautifully together, and Steve Reevis and other American Indian actors were not only wonderful but lent a great deal of realism and authenticity to the film...Bravo!

The DVD presents a wonderful widescreen picture, taking in all the majesty of the Rockies. The DD5.1 is very good. The sounds of nature and the modern day sounds of helicopters and such, are quite a contrast to behold in surround sound.The DVD also has some nice features. It may be viewed with the sound in either the Theatrical version, or the Director version. Both are in DD5.1, and the main difference I found was that the Theatrical version has the captivating narration by Wilfred Brimley,and the Director's version does not. There is the option of Director(Tab Murphy) commentary, and it also provides subtitles in English, French and Spanish for those needing them.There are other features that include, cast bios and costume sketches as well.

If you liked "Dances With Wolves", give this one a try. I can not say enough good things about it. If you have already seen it, you will enjoy it again on this DVD. It's for Western lovers, adventure lovers, romance lovers and anyone who just wants to get lost in a good story for a couple of hours.It is rated PG(there is some violence and mild langauge)

Happy trails and enjoy.....Laurie


Last of the Dogmen   January 27, 2005
Steven Hellerstedt
25 out of 33 found this review helpful

A small group of Cheyenne survived the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, relocated and remained hidden from modern society for almost a century and a half?
That's the question that LAST OF THE DOGMEN poses. Tom Berenger plays a bounty hunter who's engaged to track three escaped convicts in the Oxbow, a multi-thousand square mile area of rugged and unexplored wilderness in northern Montana. Berenger doesn't get his man, or men, but he does stumble across some mighty suspicious looking rider obscured in a fog. Barbara Hershey plays an anthropologist he engages to help him investigate the mystery.
Filmed in Mexico and Canada, this movie looks good. Berenger is appropriately rugged and Hershey appropriately professorish, they have a good Bogart/Hepburn AFRICAN QUEEN chemistry going, the dog is cute.
LAST OF THE DOGMEN held my attention but it didn't make me say `wow'. There's a lot more character interaction than action and things bog down at times. There's are some plot inconsistencies as well - for instance, if the Dogmen capture or kill everyone who discovers their presence, how does Berenger's character escape the first time they see him?
Movies like open with inspiration and require a lot of perspiration before they can close. The idea of a hidden tribe is intriguing. How you go about finding it, and what you do after you've found it, is the trick. In 1937 Frank Capra found the winning formula in LOST HORIZON, while almost bankrupting Columbia in the process. Even though LAST OF THE DOGMEN is listed under "Adventure," I'd put it in the same category as Capra's speculative fantasy. In any event, both are about a retreat back to an idyllic, primitive past. The village as Eden, the wisdom of simplicity, the flight from modernity - call it what you will, it's a compelling fantasy.




A WONDERFULLY WOVEN TAPESTRY OF A TALE OF A LOST TRIBE...   October 13, 2002
Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

This is simply a terrific movie that has it all, a wonderful cast, an intriguing story line, beautiful scenery, and an enjoyable soundtrack. What more could a film lover ask for?

The plot revolves around a Montana tracker, named Lewis Cates, who believes there to be a lost tribe of Native American in the wilds of Montana. In fact, legend had it that a tribe of Cheyenne had been swallowed up by the Montana wilderness sometime towards the end of the nineteenth century and never heard from nor seen again. A loner with some personal issues, Cates teams up with Professor Lillian Sloan, an anthropologist and professor of Native American studies who happens to speak the language of the Cheyenne and is familiar with their customs. Together, they go off exploring in the remote and vast, breathtaking woodlands of the American Northwest, looking for this lost tribe. It is there that the Cheyenne find them, rather than the other way around.

Tom Berenger is perfectly cast as the rugged tracker, and he gives a low key, commanding performance. Barbara Hershey, one of the best, though most under rated, actresses around, gives a simply superlative performance. Through her one gets a sense of the wonder she feels at the opportunity that has presented itself to her. It is a chance of a life time to get to know a people who remain uncorrupted by the influence of other cultures. It is an opportunity to live a piece of history. There is a profound respect for people and their customs that she radiates, as befitting a serious anthropologist. There is also a budding romance between Cates and Sloan, which Berenger and Hershey pull off well, as it seems to be a romance that is founded on mutual respect.

Those who play the roles of the Native Americans are excellent, with special kudos to those who play the characters Lone Wolf and Yellow Wolf. These roles are played with a certain dignity and stoicism that lend an air of authenticity to their existence in the film. Their humanity is palpable, making it believable that Sloan and Cates would want to stay with them and share in the simplicity of their lives. Last, but certainly not least, mention must be made of director Tab Murphy, who beautifully directed this most memorable of films. This is a movie that can be enjoyed by the entire family. It is a film that those who are interested in other cultures, as well as those who simply love a great movie, will enjoy. Bravo!


Fine Storytelling, Authentic and Engaging tale   July 1, 2001
Diana Bandy (Taylorville, IL)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

Last of the Dogmen ranks as one of my favorite movies of all time. I own it on VHS and DVD and love the additional features that come on the DVD version. If you are interested in the background and behind the scenes details, you will enjoy the DVD. The picture quality is top notch and helps to do justice to the beautiful scenery.

As far as the story, there is something so good, so valuable about the values displayed by Lewis and Lilly in regard to their discovery of the lost tribe of Cheyenne. They never even entertain the thought of making the Cheyenne's presence known to the rest of the world. A strong message of respect for people and nature flows through the film like a deep current. Berenger and Hershey are two seasoned pros that seem to be performing at their peak and I truly appreciate what their talents, wisdom, and experience brought to each of their roles and to the integrity of the story. The native american characters are real people, not "Indians." The actors that portrayed these roles did an outstanding and commendable job of portraying the Cheyenne people with dignity, humanity, and respect. The Cheyenne costumes, language, and customs were authentic.

The score of this film is passionate and moving. It throbs with romance, majestic beauty, and life to the beat of a native american drum.

In essence the film evoked for me purity, passion, wonder, and respect for life. If these are qualities that you appreciate in a story, you won't be disappointed.


For Berenger fans and lovers of good movies   September 11, 2002
hrladyship (Norman, OK United States)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Last of the Dogmen is the story of a trapper, played by Tom Berenger, who discovers a lost tribe of Cheyenne Indians. He is accompanied into the wilderness by a professor of Native American studies, played by Barbara Hershey, who knows the language and customs of the Cheyenne.

Although the premise is almost too fantastic, the characters are very believable. The performances are excellent. With filming in the American northwest, Canada, and Mexico, the scenery is breathtaking. Direction and the sound track support and complement the acting and scenery, making the movie a wonderful experience.

This movie could have become sappy and condescending. Instead it achieved a level of honest entertainment and respect for its subject. It is highly recommended to anyone interested in American history, Native American customs, the wilds of America, or who just plain like a good story. It's an unforgettable movie with no ax to grind, no heavy-handed moral to tell.