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Last of the Dogmen

From Alfawiki
Last of the Dogmen
Company typeIndependent film
IndustryFilm
Founded1995
FounderTab Murphy (director and screenwriter)
ProductsFilm

Last of the Dogmen is a 1995 American Western film marking the feature directorial debut of Tab Murphy, who also penned the screenplay. The cast includes Tom Berenger, Barbara Hershey, Kurtwood Smith, and Steve Reevis. Set against the backdrop of northwest Montana, United States, the narrative centers on a bounty hunter pursuing escaped prisoners into a secluded wilderness, where he uncovers a secret community of Dog Soldiers belonging to a Cheyenne Native American tribe. The movie was filmed across locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Canada, and Mexico. Although it received mixed to favorable critiques, it did not achieve commercial success at the box office.

Plot

Lewis Gates, a bounty hunter, chases three fugitives into Montana’s remote Oxbow Quadrangle, motivated by his former father-in-law who holds him responsible for his daughter's demise. At the scene of the crime, Gates discovers clues including an ancient Indian arrowhead. After consulting with archaeologist Lillian Sloan, he learns that the arrow resembles those used by Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. Their investigation uncovers a pattern of disappearances in the region and a legend about Cheyenne survivors from the 1864 Sand Creek massacre who have remained hidden for over one hundred years.

Gates convinces Sloan to accompany him on the expedition. Deep within the wilderness, they are captured by a Cheyenne war party led by Yellow Wolf. They are brought to a concealed village where Chief Spotted Elk shares the tribe’s history of escape and survival. Sloan gains their confidence by communicating in their language.

When Yellow Wolf’s son sustains an injury, Gates risks stealing antibiotics from a town pharmacy, pursued by Sheriff Deegan—his ex-father-in-law—who organizes a posse to track them down. As pressures mount, Gates suggests detonating leftover TNT to create a distraction enabling the Cheyenne to retreat further into the wild. Sloan opts to remain with the tribe; Gates consents with hesitation.

Gates surrenders to the sheriff but triggers an explosion that forces them both out of a hidden tunnel behind a waterfall. After rescuing the injured sheriff, Gates persuades him to keep the wilderness sanctuary secret. Sloan and the Cheyenne successfully escape, and later Gates reunites with them with her assistance. The film concludes with their heartfelt reunion.

Cast


Production

Last of the Dogmen represents Tab Murphy's first experience as a director; having penned the script in the early 1980s, the film rights were subsequently secured by producer Joel B. Michaels. The project was backed by a $25 million budget and planned for an 11-week filming period.

Principal photography occurred at several notable sites throughout Canada and Mexico, including:

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie maintains a 69% "Fresh" rating. Film critic Roger Ebert gave it 3 out of 4 stars, commending Berenger’s authentic portrayal and the engaging narrative, though he remarked that the concluding segment leaned on familiar tropes, which somewhat undercut its earlier strengths.

Alternate releases

The versions released in U.S. theaters and on home video include third-person narration by Wilford Brimley, which is not present in the UK edition; the DVD release provides both narration options. An exclusive Netflix streaming availability until October 2020 featured an alternative narration track performed by Kurtwood Smith.

External links

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