KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

FrogGlace In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Bill Maniaci (benmoshe) A story and expression of traditional values that have, unfortunately, been forgotten or ignored by most Native Americans that I am very familiar with in today's Northern Nevada. That is the fault of the U.S. Government and the perpetuation of life on the Reservation or Indian Colony. The film however emphasizes the values that we all want to have instilled in the ever growing minds of our children. It is an enjoyable story that has told us how Native Americans lived and loved, fought, and died as they provided for and protected their Families and their Tribe or Band.It's a worthwhile family show and time well spent. It's not a movie for nitpickers. Just enoy the story, the acting, and the cinematography.

fauxjob I watched several reruns of this as a 6th grader in 1975 on local programming in St. Louis, so I'll write my review from a 9 year-old's perspective."Indian Paint" is a family-oriented movie about the trials and tribulations of a native-American boy's "coming of age". The characters maintained my interest and the plot was filled with the twists and turns that make a kid's movie thrilling, however far fetched.The cinematography, costumes, and stunts are typical of the era and I quite enjoyed it. I didn't consider this film a "western", even though it fits the genre in the sense of "the west"-- it's not your typical protagonist / antagonist with villains-type of western.The relationship between the main character and his horse is so moving that I thought the movie was called "Painted Pony"-- instead, that's a little tune that actor Johnny Crawford sings and hums in the film. I quite enjoyed that and it stays in my memory to this day.It's not PC to native-Americans, and it's historically incorrect, as many point out, but it's my belief that films like this generated interest for our native-Americans.I would recommend this for kids / family, as well as adults who are nostalgic or don't mind the un-pc angle. I would definitely watch it with my pre-adolescent kids if I had any ;-)

bkoganbing If Indian Paint hadn't started out with a bad historical error I might have given it a star or two higher rating. But even a B independent picture should not have made such a bad mistake. Right at the beginning the narrator says that the story is set in the time before the white man came to the western hemisphere and the Indians who are plains Indians are all riding horses.Even high school history students know that the horse came to America first from Cortes who let his stock run free and multiply in Mexico. Horses gradually moved north or were traded north by tribes to the south to their northern brethren who envied what could be done on horseback.Such an incredibly silly error mars a very nice story of a young Indian boy coming of age as a warrior through his love and care for a wild colt that everyone else says can't be broken. Jay Silverheels is the chief of the Arikawaha tribe and he's got considerably more dialog than what he used to have in The Lone Ranger. Silverheels's son is Johnny Crawford two years from The Rifleman and trying to keep his career alive as a teenage heartthrob. He plays the lad trying to tame the wild colt and has quite a few adventures in the process.Some criticism is voiced about not having American Indian players in the roles that whites have in this film. Take a look at the credits and you'll see one Robert Crawford, Sr. is the associate producer of Indian Paint. That should answer the question why his Johnny was cast in the lead. Please note that Robert Crawford, Jr. who was a regular in the Laramie series while Johnny was on The Rifleman is cast as Johnny's best friend. I think this is the last time the Crawford brothers worked together on a project.Indian Paint was shot on a shoestring completely outdoors in Texas where the action would have taken place a few hundred years earlier. It does lack some production values that a big studio could have given, but it's still a nice story, good family viewing.But let no one come away with the fact that horses were being ridden before Columbus got here.

dbborroughs Very much of the time story of a young Indian brave who bonds with a young colt during their time away from the tribe. While away the young man also grows up into a man.Not my cup of tea western tale gets points for trying not to be the typical depiction of native Americans but at the same time it still suffers from some Hollywood conventions such as Caucasian actors playing Native Americans. Aimed firmly at the family audience the film might give some parents kittens with its "graphic" depiction of death between warriors(its not off screen but it is hidden). I liked that the film doesn't really shy away from real life. Unfortunately the film never fully clicked with me since it's, as I said, aimed at the family audience so some of the twists and turns seemed to be aimed more at teaching a lesson then being full realistic.Worth seeing if the plot appeals to you or you like westerns.