Rating: 
Summary: Skinwalkers Hillerman vs. Redford
Review: "Sun will be created - They say he has planned it all."
Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. This mystery involves the conflict between Skinwalkers and shamen and belegana medicine. Then again it may be a straight forward set of independent murders. In any event it looks like some one is out to kill Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee and he has not got a clue as to why.
As with all of Tony Hillerman's stories you have the feeling you are there. In fact if you have visited or live in the area (Four Corners canyons) that the mystery takes part in, you will be better able to identify with the people and landmarks. And as with his other books there is an overt and covert story.
This is the TV version of Skinwalkers with Robert Redford. He has a habit of redfordizing (twisting) stories for his own agenda. This book was so strongly written that I thought Redford did not have a chance to modify it. I was wrong. He changed the whole underlying primes of the story. One may think that Redford did not read the book although history has shown him to have modified several stories to suit his agenda such as "Three Days of the Condor." Maybe due to time constraints many of the Navaho traditions that make Hillerman's work unique were glossed over.
The book is much more in depth and the motive and additional characters made the mystery much more intriguing. Even the previous attempt at Hillerman films "Dark Wind" was closer to the feel. However on the positive side without Redford would anyone have made this TV film?
Rating: 
Summary: Well done, I enjoyed it.
Review: 1. OK, so it isn't the book. Not word for word, not even in many respects the plot--so what? The first movie from a Hillerman novel, The Dark Wind, was the book, all the different plot lines, and while the book was really good, it was way too convoluted for a movie. I certainly don't blame the producer for opting for a plot which a moviewatcher could follow.2. Given that, they did a very good job of keeping the Navajo mysticism, yet making a movie one could follow without having to have read the book first. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone interested in a good mystery, Tony Hillerman's work, reservation life, or Navajo culture. It isn't completely any of the last three, but it is an introduction to all of them while it is completely a good mystery. 3. Jim Chee is one of my favorite characters in literature. Adam Beach is probably too good looking to fit my image of Chee, but for sure he captured the spirit of Chee from the novels. The character of Joe Leaphorn is largely different from the novels and I wish they hadn't made that departure. But that said, the movie Leaphorn is a solid detective and once I got used to the difference I got over it. Not the same as the novel, but see #1 above. Would you rather have no movie, or have one with some changes? I choose to have the movie. I choose to get over being a purist. I've only seen two movies ever which seemed to be almost rigidly true to their novels, and both of those movies were falures. I enjoyed this movie, and there wasn't anything in it which conflicts with the themes and spirit of Hillerman's novels. 4. The women in the movie do not have the screen time the men do, but their parts are important to the script and very well played by the actresses. The movie does keep Leaphorn's tender devotion to his wife, which is really well done, and Chee's conflicting feelings and relationship with Janet Pete are both realistic and well played. 5. When I say I'll take the movie I'm not suggesting that it is some kind of consolation prize. It's a good movie in it's own right. I wasn't completely spellbound, so I only give it four stars, but I gave it four because it deserves them. If you want to sit there and compare it to the novel, give it penalty points for each variance, go ahead and be a disappointed purist. But if you like good, well acted, mystery movies, particularly ones with an introduction to another culture, you will be glad you chose this one. More, Mr. Redford, give us more of these excellent adaptations of Tony Hillerman's absolutely excellent work and characters.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT STORY
Review: Although probably not accurate the movie was thoroughly enjoyable -- great acting - great characters -- I do not pull a movie apart if it appeals to me -- Wish there were more movies about the Native Americans participation in WWII -- They deserve more recognition than they get.
Rating:
Summary: A Hillerman adaptation in name only
Review: Except for the title, "Skinwalkers", starring Adam Beach and Wes Studi, bears little resemblance to the Tony Hillerman novel upon which it is supposedly based. The plot involves the murders of several Navajo medicine men (haatali), but beyond that never really deals with the issue of witches (the Skinwalkers of the title) or witchcraft that was so central to the book. In fact, it seems that the script writers hadn't even bothered to read Hillerman's novel but rather some Cliff Notes version that sketched out the plot that was then subsequently altered out of all recognition. As in many film adaptations of novels, characters are conflated and story elements dropped. None of this would be a problem if the script and direction were up to par, which, unfortunately, they are not. The talents of Studi and Beach are wasted here. The directing is flat and by the numbers, a fault accentuated by the poor writing. Studi's character, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal (Nation) Police is particularly ill-served. The movie version of Leaphorn, unlike his literary namesake, is completely clueless about his own Navajo culture and may as well be an Iroquois dropped into the middle of the "Rez". Adam Beach's character Jim Chee comes off a bit better, if only because he's more true to his literary roots--a Navajo police officer studying to be a haatali. On the plus side, the film does not shy away from some of the social problems that afflict many of those living on the reservation, particularly the terrible effects of alcholism, poverty, and, now, gang culture (this last did not factor in the book). The first two, especially, figure prominently in most of the Chee/Leaphorn volumes. Director Chris Eyre also handles the generational tension between Leaphorn and Chee in a fairly deft manner, leaving intact the counterintuitive viewpoints of the two men: Leaphorn the older, rationalist cop and Chee, the younger and more traditional officer. "Skinwalkers", the second attempt to adapt one of Hillerman's books (the ill-fated "The Dark Wind" was the first), ultimately disapoints. Hillerman fans will have to wait awhile longer for a film (or, better yet, miniseries) that does justice to its source material.
Rating:
Summary: Navajo Mystisism
Review: Executive producer Robert Redford has brought to PBS Tony Hillerman's fine novel "Skinwalkers," from his series of books featuring legendary Navajo Tribal Police Officers Joe Leaphorn and young Jim Chee. Screenwriter James Redford and director Chris Eyre perfectly capture the flavor of the books while changing the origional story only slightly and incorporating elements from other books in this fine series. The vistas of the American southwest, and the way of life on the reservation, both old and new, are explored as Leaphorn and Chee look into a murder that right off the bat points to something the older Leaphorn has no use for, and the younger Chee embraces; a Skinwalker. Chee is in fact trying to be a Medicine Man as well as a Tribal Police Officer, making his involvement in the case difficult. Leaphorn is dealing with his wifes illness. Wes Studi as Leaphorn and Adam Beach as Chee are dead perfect as two very different men with different views on their heritage and future. The plot involves an error made by three medicine men years before that is coming back to haunt them, possibly literally. A shotgun blast into Chee's trailor and his visions that follow make for a perfect blend of police work and Navajo mystisism. The other area captured well here is the personal life of both men. The relationship of Leaphorn and his wife, wonderfully acted, is real, adding depth and humanity to the stoic detective. Chee's budding relationship with a young Navajo defense attorney named Janet, also wonderfully acted, shows the youth of Chee and his struggles with the old ways and the new. A great personal loss by Chee and a resignation by Leaphorn that there may be merit in the 'old ways' frame a character driven and atmospheric mystery set in the world of the Navajo. This one will certainly leave you wanting more when it's over and hopefully Hillerman's 'Thief of Time' will also be brought to PBS by Redford and this talented team. For something a little different, order up this southwest mix of mystery and Navajo mythology. It's #6 on the menu...
Rating:
Summary: Interesting adaption - Hillerman fans may be disappointed
Review: Fans of Tony Hillerman all know about his exceptional research, which make his Southwestern mysteries a pleasure to read. Since these films have been geared for the PBS audience (many of whom have never read Hillerman before) the tone is changed, and somewhat simplified. This is in addition to the necessary editing that happens whenever a book is adapted into a film. If you've read several of the mysteries featuring Jim Chee and Lt. Leaphorn, expect to be a little disappointed. There just is not time to do their characters (let alone Emma and Janet Pete) justice. Movies featuring Native Americans are few and far between - like "Smoke Signals" (also starring Adam Beach), "Windtalkers" (funny how many years it took to make a movie about the Windtalkers in WWII, and even then much of it centers on Nicholas Cage's character, instead of Adam Beach) "Pow Wow Highway", even "Dances with Wolves". It's somewhat of a coup that PBS and Robert Redford have developed this picture, with plans for more. While this is not the classic that "Smoke Signals" was, it does capture the slower pace of the Navajo Nation. Unlike episodes of "The X-Files", "Roswell," and "Star Trek: The Next Generation," Native rituals and medicine men are presented as part of a living spirituality, one that exists in everyday life on the reservation. No one shows up to give Wil Wheaton or David Duchovny a vision quest, and (thankfully) there are no aliens.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I am a Tony Hillerman fan and had purchased the audio version of this title. Robert Redford and Chris Eyre stayed true to the story! It was excellently done! I would highly recommend adding this to your collection!
Rating:
Summary: I liked it
Review: I had bought the DVD the minute I saw the preview for "Skinwalkers" on PBS (I knew I wasn't going to be able to watch it on TV so buying was the next best thing). I was really surprised how well it turned out. Granted, I'm sure it isn't as good as the book, but I never like to compare any of the novels I read with their screen adaptations. It just wouldn't be right. Anyhow, I liked "Skinwalkers" a lot and I hope there will be more. The setting and music really set the mood and I really enjoyed watching it-like 5 times. I would recommend others to watch it, but please do not compare the screen adaptation to the book. The two are fairly different.
Rating:
Summary: Worth watching
Review: I just watched this movie on PBS and really enjoyed it. As a fan of Hillermans' novels I was excited to see this adaptation, not least because of the powerful talents involved. Co-produced by Robert Redford, PBS-Mystery, Carlton TV-UK (developers of Inspector Morse) and starring Wes Studi (Dances With Wolves, Geronimo) with Adam Beach (Smoke Signals) the movie has an authentic feel and look. Hillerman has always been able to capture the feeling of the Indian culture he presents,with respect for the way he portrays both past and present Indian life. If you're a Hillerman fan don't fear this adaptation, if not, this is a great introduction to his novels and I hope will be just the first of a series of movies from this same team.
Rating: 
Summary: Not at all like the book
Review: I love Tony Hillerman's style and characters. I also love Robert Redford as a director. So I was totally at loss when I watched this movie,which possibly had 3 things that had been in the book. The actors were good and I think I would have liked some honesty from Hillerman and Redford acknowledging that the movie and book had little in common, but the characters. However, live and learn - watching the movie again, (not as a Hillerman book) -I have to admit it wasn't to bad - except for the teenage gang and the hand in the soup
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