The Dark Wind (1991)

A Navajo police officer is mixed up in drug smuggling and murder on the reservation.

Director:

Errol Morris

Writers:

Tony Hillerman (novel), Neal Jimenez (screenplay)

Stars:

Lance Baker, Betty C. Barlow, Gary Basaraba

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lance Baker	...	Mr. Archer
Betty C. Barlow	...	Old Navajo Woman #2
Gary Basaraba	...	Larry
Billy Beck	...	Motel Clerk
Arlene Bowman	...	Edna Nezzie
Guy Boyd	...	Agent Johnson
Charlie Carpenter	...	Pilot
Blake Clark	...	Ben Gaines
Julia Collins	...	Old Navajo Woman #1
Kee Collins	...	Old Navajo Man #1
Gary Farmer	...	Cowboy Albert Dashee
Patrick Jensen	...	Albino Boy
John Karlen	...	Jake West
Neil Kayquoptewa	...	Lomatewa
James Koots	...	Taylor

Storyline

A Navajo police officer is mixed up in drug smuggling and murder on the reservation.

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Plot Keywords:

arizona desert | arizona territory | tuba city arizona | navajo reservation | hopi indian | 

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Taglines:

The Navajo believe that when a man does something evil, it is because a dark wind has entered his soul.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gary Farmer (Cowboy Dashee) and Lou Diamond Phillips have also worked together on Sioux City and Longmire.

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Goofs

A microphone is visible twice: once at the bottom of the screen about 42 minutes into the film; the other at the top of the screen about 10 minutes before the end.

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Crazy Credits

The producers would like to acknowledge the Hopi and Navajo people. Their land, culture and humor enlightened us throughout the making of "The Dark Wind."

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Alternate Versions

UK video versions were cut 11 seconds for a "15" rating. The cinema version was uncut at the same category.

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Connections

Referenced in Imagining Indians (1992)

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Soundtracks

Louisiana Hush Puppy
Music and Lyrics by Harry Shannon

User Reviews

Beautiful and spectacular

The Robert Redford films are always beautiful - spectacular displays. The "Meeting of the Spirits and the Real World" on the mountaintop, with thunder, lightning, bon fire with sparks flying, wind blowing, dancers' shadows, and chanting is almost worth the price of admission. I have read the book, and thought the casting was good, but the hairstyle of Jim Chee didn't match the character. I enjoyed the film, and urge others to see it, although many of the actors are not Native Americans which is a failing to many viewers.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Navajo Hopi

Release Date:

15 May 1992 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Dark Wind

Filming Locations:

Navajo Nation, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures, North Face Motion Picture Company, Wildwood Enterprises

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16 : 9