urbisoler-1 Review of Ishi: The Last of His Tribe

Ishi: The Last of His Tribe (1978 TV Movie)

This review may contain spoilers.

[9/10 · 8 June 2013]

I rate this film very highly, not because of film quality, acting, sets, etc., but because of Ishi's story whether embellished or not. I was so moved by this sad tale that I sought out other sources of information. I have seen film clips in libraries of Ishi at the Berkeley Museum and in the field around the scenes of his life and capture. I have a copy of the Theodora Kroeber book upon which the film was based which includes the famous photo of Ishi when he was captured in August 29, 1911. I planned on using that photo in a book I was writing. I was discouraged by the rights holders of said photo declaring in their usual liberal claptrap manner that I didn't want the tribes of Northwest California protesting my treatment of Ishi by exposing that photo as ridicule of Ishi. I still intend on using the photo. You can blame the white man for the demise of the Yahi tribe but please read about the demise of other populations throughout history. This is a tale of how mankind has developed over a long period of time. Much of it is not pretty but it is what it is. You might long for an idealized world of your imagination but this is what we have. Make it better if you can but mankind is aggressive by nature. It is all part of the human condition. I wish I had the film. Ciao!