Unbowed (1999)

Sorry, this movie sucks

A Major Disappointment

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I'm not a fan of typical Westerns. This movie for me isn't a Western. It's a beautiful story, set in the late 1800s. The movie basically is about Lakota warriors, one of them a chief, sent to an all Black college as a test to see if Indians can learn.There is racism and racist comments directed towards the Lakota warriors, especially by Junius, played By Catero Colbert. He does a fantastic job of making you hate him.The movie from beginning to end captivated me. I have already watched this movie fives times very recently! Waka Mani(played masterfully by incredible actor, Jay Tavare)is a very proud, honest, rebellious,strong, determined Lakota chief. Tavare's portrayal is so impressive to me because from the minute he appears on screen, he has the viewer in the palm of his hand. The character is multi faceted and colorful.I also rather enjoyed the love story. It's obvious the two characters, Cleola and Waka Mani are curious about and attracted to each other from their first meeting.All the players are incredible here. The entire movie is full of rich characters. You get the sense of the strong bond between the Lakota warriors. These are obvious men with strong friendship. There is a sad scene that truly proves that.Ron Glass is, as always, brilliant in his role as the hard,strict president of the college.The love story is beautiful. You root for the characters the entire time. There is a very tasteful,sensuous and beautiful love scene in this movie.My only complaint is that the movie, though two hours was not turned into a mini series. You are left wondering what happened after the two main characters left together.There is a lot of history here that most of us weren't taught in school. Do yourself a favor and buy this movie.

I am a Pettiford descendant of the Free African Americans who are also mixed with different Native American tribes from North Carolina that migrated to Virginia, New Jersey and out west. When I 1st turned to this movie it was on the western channel on cable with about 30 minutes left of it. Then I read what it was about I said to my daughter this movie could be about our family. So I set my TiVo to tape it in the middle of the night. I came home yesterday to watch it from the beginning and sure enough Michelle Thomas' character Anna's last name was Pettiford. This is a great movie and it shows some of our relationships with the red & white man. It also showed the class system back then. All in all myself and my 3 young daughters thought that it was a great movie and that everyone should see it! This movie also made me want to look more into my history. We have traced it back to the 1500's but their are a lot of pieces to the puzzle missing. Thank you for such an educating and entertaining experience Ms. Mildred Lewis! Paulette

This movie challenges ones mind to see racism from another perspective. It forces the issue of racism not on a black/white side of things, but an African American and Indian proportionally view.Both having the same feelings, both having two sides of understanding life, its balance for the future, and its weight on the past. Both predilection of learning what it means to be a citizen in a country bent on prejudice. Both facing prejudice from within the confines of the college they attend.An African American woman must learn to surpass the boundaries of those in her presence to accept the love whom she teaches. Her many admirers surround her in protection of her innocence one of whom she is engaged.A young Indian Chief must confront his own prejudices and those around him to find freedom among the free who persecute him because of his savage nature.Escape could lead to death. Will she follow him and leave behind all she had gained for the love of a savage and face unknown obstacles?The element of emotion between these two will absolutely stir you. the feeling of anger and hostility will ignite you. You'll fall in love with these two! Exceptional and very tastefully moving on both sides of the divide!!!!!Very Highly Recommended!!!!!!!!

Jay Tavare's role as Waka Mani was played as if he were "born to it". Tembi Locke's portrayal as Cleola was fabulous. The combination of Jay & Tembi was beautiful. The other actors were cast precisely and "hats off" to the casting director for taking the time to hand pick each actor.Although it is considered a western, Unbowed is much more than that. It is a story about pre-prejudices, racism that exist between two minority groups, acceptance and learning to work together towards a common goal and most of all it is a story of love. Love has no color. I highly recommend this movie.