Skinwalkers (TV 2002)

The story revolves around the legend of the skin walkers or "S Dubs", a folk legend from Utah about the spirits of murdered Indians returning to seek revenge upon those who disrespect the land.

Director:

Chris Eyre

Writer:

James Redford

Stars:

Harrison Lowe, James Dalgam, Adam Beach

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harrison Lowe	...	Roman George
James Dalgam	...	Bister
Adam Beach	...	Jim Chee
Saginaw Grant	...	Wilson Sam
Nicholas Bartolo	...	Tommy Nakai
Jon Proudstar	...	Davis Nakai
Misty Upham	...	Nina
Drew Lacafa	...	Bobby
Sheila Tousey	...	Emma Leaphorn
Wes Studi	...	Lt. Joe Leaphorn
Apesanahkwat	...	Capt. Butler
Marla Frumkin	...	German woman (as Marla Finn)
Michael Greyeyes	...	Dr. Stone
Ryan Polequaptewa	...	Lonnie Mack
Noah Watts	...	Ruben Maze

Storyline

Faced with the murder of three medicine men, Navajo police must find the culprit. That the murders appear to be the work of a Skinwalker, or bad medicine man, complicate and illuminate the detective's work.

---

Plot Keywords:

utah | native american

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

---

Details

Official Sites:

PBS

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Skinwalkers - kostajat haudan takaa

Filming Locations:

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carlton International Media, Granada Entertainment, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The knife found in Chee's tire is held in place by grey putty, clearly seen and covering the tire tread.

---

Quotes

Jim Chee: I don't see how I can do this.
Wilson Sam: Do what?
Jim Chee: This case. It's too much.
Wilson Sam: Wrong, Jim. Cop, medicine man, garbage man... No matter who you are, the dark wind blows on everyone, Jim. You just have to push yourself through it.

---

Connections

Featured in Coyote Waits (2003)

User Reviews

A great Who-Dunit!

Movies in sub-cultural settings become exceptional when you quickly forget that it is, in fact, a sub-culture. Within minutes of the opening scenes of "Skinwalkers", I no longer dwelt upon the thought that a murder movie on an Indian Reservation is an unusual setting and, instead, focused on the murder mystery itself. In this sense, it reminds me of "Barbershop" (http://us.imdb.com/Title?0303714) in its ability to portray a particular sub-culture in America without actually dwelling on the differences between that sub-culture and America as a whole.

In other words, these movies become successful when you are drawn into the story so deeply that you realise that the sub-culture is as much a world in its own right as the so-called "majority" of America.

I would love to see this film turned into a weekly series. There's certainly enough potential depth of storylines to allow that.