Last of the Dogmen

source: Last of the Dogmen

An enjoyable film if you're a Native American buff, as I am. The costumes are a treat to the eye, the storyline is unique, and it's not the usual, "White man comes in and tames the savages" kind of Indian film. I like the voice-over, "storytelling" method that's used, and the acting is believable. (If you can stand Tom Berringer's completely non-inflected tone of voice.) Overall, a movie well worth renting. If you're looking for the ultimate Indian film, however, nothing compares to "Dances With Wolves."

Last of the Dogmen is written and directed by Tab Murphy. It stars Tom Berenger, Barbara Hershey, Kurtwood Smith and Steve Reevis. Music is scored by David Arnold and cinematography by Karl Walter Lindenlaub. When three convicts escape from prison and head into the Montana mountains, the local law enforcer hires skillful tracker/bounty hunter Lewis Gates (Berenger) to go find them. What he finds is torn clothes, blood and an Indian arrow. After spying someone in the trees it leads Gates to an investigation on the possibility of a lost tribe of Cheyenne Indians living in the mountains. A thoroughly enjoyable contemporary Western, even if it's cribbing clichés from a number of films and TV episodes of the past. Formula of story is simple, grizzled tracker man Berenger and prim anthropologist Hershey are poles apart, but into the mountains they go in search of a hidden tribe of Cheyenne. That they find them is a given, since the title says it all, but what unfolds is a burgeoning relationship between the two, while much understanding and soul searching involving the "alien" Cheyenne makes for a good chunk of the narrative. There's observations galore in here about the advancement of time, different cultures etc, and a nod to the Sand Creek Massacre, while a back story sub-plot involving Kurtwood Smith is deftly handled; if a little redundant in the grand scheme of things. Anyone who has seen the likes of The African Queen, Dances With Wolves and the Twilight Zone Episode: A Hundred Yards Over The Rim, wont be particularly surprised by what transpires in eventuality. But Berenger and Hershey make for a nice duo to be in the company of, while Kip the dog steals the film from both of them! Though story is set in Montana, film was shot on location in Alberta and British Columbia, and here is the film's trump card, where Lindenlaub's photography is quite simply stunning. In fact his work, and that of Arnold, whose score darts in and out of the landscape, deserves to be in an "A" grade movie. It rounds out as very watchable, a professional picture that just about manages to sustain interest and good will for the two hours run time. 7/10

To me a 5 or below means get up and walk away; a 7 or above means grab a chair and stick around. A 6 means watch it if you don't have anything better to do. This was a 6. First the good: the scenery. The not so good: The movie came off as a TV movie. I thought the acting of both Berenger and Hershey was flat. The opportunity was there for both, but there wasn't any zest. I attribute this mostly to the pedestrian writing. In addition, Berenger's presentation was very average. He exhibited a single vocal tonation--a medium holler. As the movie went on it got worse, not better. This was uncalled for since the plot became kind of interesting, and he should have too. Sure he was supposed to be the taciturn mountain man, but all in all, he came off as very one dimensional. Hershey was only mildly better. I really wanted to like her, but her character never came to life either. And between them, there should have been a smoldering heat, but I thought the matches were too damp to light the fire. The plot was curiously predictable assemblage of several set pieces. However, I admit it did make me want to see how it ended. The first part was the socially exiled mountain man called in to help the cops solve a crime. I am a sucker for that one--though predictable. Then it turns into an interesting spin on the monster investigation. I am a sucker for that one, too--though predictable. Then it turns into the attack against the innocents. I don't usually go for that one, especially when the attacker is even more irrationally motivated than usual, as was the case here. The it finishes with the heroes go happily into the night. I can take or leave that one. I wanted to like this movie, and I can see why most of the reviewers here fell for it: it had all the elements present. It just fell a little short. Watch it, only if you have the time. BTW: I thought the voice over was the astronaut from Northern Exposure, not Wilford Brimley.

This movie is in my top 10 movie list. It has a great story of 2 loners who find each other, yet their feelings grow in a slow, natural way, without the gratuitous sex that spoils many love stories. The feminist learns to let the shy guy make a move, and the widowed hero finds another strong, courageous woman he can love. The movie is also a celebration of a people and a way of life, many of us wish we could retreat to. The Indians refuse to be conquered and that in itself feels good. I completely disagree about the voice-over ruining the film, as one reviewer claims. It is extremely important to the story and even if it wasn't central to the plot, it gives the film a mythic quality. The scenery is breath-taking and all of the characters, including Zip and the little Indian girl are memorable and engaging.

Since AMC and my wife insist we watch it every other weekend,I know most of the lines by heart. I wish they would have added other plots to it. I wish there would have been a volcano, or meteor, or flood. There also should have been a Dinosaur,or a big foot or something or a big footed dinosaur, some kinda creature chasing them! Then Walter Brimley teaching the Indian's about Dibetas, then being eaten by the big foot (dinosaur). Also the doctors part should have been played by Pam Anderson and wore a bathing suite.A lot of good ideas could have been done but NO, we have to be politically correct. Also there should have been a UFO with a death ray, And then a cameo by Kayne West. THE END.

I just watched this movie on a local TV channel tonight. I had never heard of it, but it is now officially my favorite film. I absolutely loved the story, the scenery, the acting - and Zip, the dog was marvelous. The movie has something for everyone. They should make a sequel with the same actors, but I would prefer one without the voice-over narrative. I don't recall seeing many movies with Tom Berenger in them, but this is one that I will never forget. I really could fall for that man. My advice: beg, borrow, buy, rent or steal this movie. It's definitely worth which ever route you choose to get it. I'm certain to look for "Last of the Dogmen" to add to my extensive collection of videos and DVDs. I only hope that I can find a captioned version. I am going to tell everyone I know about this wonderful film.

It's not that this movie is so gawdawful bad (though it is) that bothers me--it's the seven pages of insipid fawning comments that turned my stomach! Have you no taste people?!?! This movie is so lame that if it were a horse instead of the "dog" that it is, it would be taken out back and administered a mercy shot to the head. The plot is absolutely ludicrous and has more than enough holes to fill the Albert Hall to overflowing. Thankfully, this abomination sank without a trace, however, a bottom-feeding friend of mine found a VHS copy in a bargain bin for 99 cents (WAY overpriced) and sent me a copy without having viewed it himself. I can't hold that against him, but at least I can warn anyone who's reading this to save your time and money and if it's "Dog Soldiers" you want, well there's this nifty little horror film by that name directed by the same gentleman who brought us the uber-eerie "The Descent" last year. This ranks right down there along with "Caddyshack" as perhaps the worst movie I've ever wasted time on in my life, although I do have to admit that "LOTD" contained more laughs.

This movie reminds me a lot of "Lost Horizon". The scenery is beautiful and anyone that's ever been up in that area can attest to it. It's both a chick flick and a guy's movie because of the great mix of emotion, excitement and action. A couple of things in the movie are a little hard to swallow, but so are a lot of things in James Bond or Indiana Jones pic's, and it never stopped anyone from liking them. Tape it or rent it if you haven't seen it, you won't be disappointed.

This has been a favorite ever since it came out. But I was always confused as to why it was marred by the hokey, cornball, ridiculous Dukes of Hazzard narration that accompanied it. Imagine my sheer joy this afternoon when I discovered the Director's Version on the DVD has eliminated that. Now it lives up to it's full potential ... one heck of a movie! The cinematography and scenery in this film make it worthwhile in themselves. Throw in a little occasional humor, decent acting jobs, suspense, the ability to hold your interest, and you get a film that allows you to escape your cares and spend a couple hours in the paradise of the Canadian Rockies. This is a must see for western fans, fans of the great out doors, and guys like me who're in love with Barbara Hershey.