Rating: 
Summary: MAGICAL MOVIE
Review: I don't usually watch westerns but when my father told me about this movie, and I saw the awe that filled his eyes, I knew I had to watch it. I did and I was enchanted by everything about it. I loved the performances of Tom Berenger as the tormented Lewis Gates, Barbara Hershey as the bookish anthropologist Lillian and especially, Zip, the scrappy little bob-tailed dog that had so much personality! I also enjoyed Wilford Brimley's narration throughout the movie - it was entirely believable because he is so down to earth. The story is slightly implausible, bordering on fantasy - a bounty hunter and an anthropologist find a "lost" tribe of Cheyenne Indians living in an incredibly remote area of Montana. But the movie is so well done you find yourself wishing it were true. The actors who potrayed members of the lost tribe - especially the man who played Lone Wolf - were extremely authentic without being caricatures or stereotpyes. And the music - this movie wouldn't be as good without that marvelous music. And last but not least, the scenery. The mountains, the rivers where the escaped convicts and later Lewis run for fresh water - made me wonder if such a place really exists. This is a must-have movie best viewed when you are in need of hope and a reason to feel good about the world. And sometimes I wonder if Lillian and Lewis "lived happily ever after" with that lost tribe. I sure hope so!
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFULLY WOVEN TAPESTRY OF A TALE OF A LOST TRIBE...
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: A neglected gem of a movie
Review: When this movie was released in 1995 alongside other competition, it flopped due in part to it's main idea, a movie about Indians. But it was never given a fair shot and by this review I hope to change that. The basic plot of the movie is very simple but very interesting. What if there was a lost pocket of Cheyenne in the wilderness of the Northwest? This question brings together two very well developed characters, Tom Berenger as a lonely tracker/bounty hunter with his sidekick dog Skip, and Barabara Hershey, a professor of Native American history. A relationship builds between the two and they are taken in by the native Americans. But, they leave a trail, and are followed by the local sheriff who hates Gates (Berenger's character) and would love to see him in the slammer. A lot of effort and thought was put into this movie, making it not only epic and romantic but also thought provoking and insightful into what we can and should do for the Native Americans. The question I mentioned above is asked later in the film, answered and ends with one of the most spectacular conclusions rivaling that of the Shawshank Redemption. The musical score by David Arnold who has worked on many films including the most recent James Bond movies, is very sweeping and majestic with a lot of romance. I loved this film and I would recommend it to pretty much anyone.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this movie!
Review: This movie just sort of snuck up on me. I was having a bad day, and it was on TV, so I thought I'd give it a chance. And it turned out to be *just* the thing to pick me up from my doldrums. A very, VERY sweet movie that is interesting, gripping, has some mystery, romance, and is fine for the whole family. Highly recommended. Beautiful scenery (I always love beautiful scenery) and two wonderful main characters. Tom Berenger is a grumpy, reclusive and rather shy tracker who get sucked into a very unusual quest -- to find a lost Native American Tribe. He is wonderful in his roll -- he does "grumpy but lovable" better than most other actors I can think of. Barbara Hershey is fantastic too. Beautiful, brainy, capable, dedicated and a perfect compliment to Berenger's character. I really admired her in this film. I won't reveal too much of the plot here, but it is a delightful film, and I highly recommend it. Maybe a little on the longish side, but I wouldn't have it any other way. One of my favorite movies to date.
Rating:
Summary: Modern Day Western With A Century Old Feel
Review: This review refers to the HBO DVD edition of "Last Of The Dogmen"... "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
Rating:
Summary: Last of the Dogmen
Review: The first time I seen this movie, I was channel surfing and decided to watch it. I'm glad I did. I thought this movie was very good. I liked the narration and the story itself was very well told for being Fiction. The characters I found to be very likable, yes, even the dog. I found myself thinking that would be something great to have an adventure like they did. Anyone who did not like this movie has no imagination or sense of adventure themselves. In these days and in these times we need movies like this. Hats off to the actors and the story, and to whomever picked the location. Job very well done.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT IF...?
Review: LAST OF THE DOGMEN is an exercise in "what if..." What if a band of Cheyenne in the late 1800's escaped soldiers in a last, desperate effort for survival, made it into the wilds of northern Montana or southern Alberta and survived beyond the knowledge of our modern society?
There are places in the continental United States and in Canada that are so wild and primitive that one wonders whether it might just be possible, whether there could be a last holdout of Native Americans living as they did one hundred and fifty, maybe two hundred years ago. LAST OF THE DOGMEN provides an enchanting look at the prospects of such a story. Oh yes, we all know that "civilized" Americans did a "wonderful" job of seeing to it that such a story could never possibly happen but what if...? LAST OF THE DOGMEN is to Native American history what CAPRICORN I was to lunar exploration. What if...? Tom Berenger renders a striking performance as a Montana tracker who has to know. He enlists a college professor of anthropology played by Barbara Hershey whose curiosity is equally insatiable. Together they discover something that neither is truly prepared for but with which neither is willing to let go of once they see it. A classic modern western that is a must see! Douglas McAllister
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry-a DOG of a movie
Review: I love movies. I bought this movie because of the reviews here. I was all set to love this movie. Well, not too far into it I was bored, the dialogue was trite and only the scenery saved the remaining minutes. Both stars, Beringer and Hershey are on my A list. However, even they could not save this movie that was trying its best to convey something but what I don't know. The relationship between the two was trite along with terrible dialogue. The whole premise of the movie left me scratching my head. If mystic was the order of the day, it wasn't. Adventuresome, it wasn't.Delivering a message, it didn't. If you love beautiful scenery buy a travel DVD that leaves out this silly story.
Rating:
Summary: Kristen
Review: I still do not own this movie but have rented it a few times and greatly enjoyed the story. One of the things I liked most about the movie was Tom Beringer's dog Zip, a tri-colored Australian Cattle Dog. I attribute this movie to me now owning two of these awesome dogs. They are smart, loyal companions just as the dog in the movie is.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't plan to like it but I did
Review: A friend brought it over and I had it around for a couple of months before I watched it because the name didn't sound like anything I would like. The premise is pretty unbelievable and the characters aren't that likely either but somehow it just clicks with me. I just finished buying it. If I like a movie I watch it again and again. This one is a keeper.
Besides, it's not that easy to find a movie that I can watch with my grandson. This one is relatively free of bad language and has no embarrassing sexual situations.
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