"This is the story of an original people, the Mahto band of the Teton Sioux. They live as one with the land as their grandfathers have for centuries, finding beauty and mystery in sky, earth and all creatures. Soon the white man will come west, his plowshare will divide the land. But for no, the Mahyp people are their own masters, living in the old way, the wayd of the Grandfathers...""
Was originally a nine hour mini-series entitled "Hanta Yo" to be aired in 1980, instead aired in 1984 as a five hour mini series re-named "The Mystic Warrior". The movie is set in 1801 and follows a young brave named Ahbleza. Out on a hunt Ahbleza and his father run in to two white hunters who use a rifle. They return to camp and tell the people. The medicine man, Wanagi, tells a story that the grandfathers tell of how the white men came in big boats, and fortells of a leader who will arise to lead the Mahto.
Apollonia pops in as Wicahpi, and joins the tribe, coming from another camp. The young men chase wild horses and one of them dies and Ahbleza is blamed because he was the leader. But a council convenes and hears the stories and absolves Ahbleza, but banishes another boy who is blamed.
Ahbleza goes on buffalo hunts. Then a band of Sioux come in and they have lost many warriors in a battle with another tribe who use iron tipped arrows which they make from pots obtained from the whites in trade. Ahbleza and the warriors head out and help drive away the intruders.
Another band of Sioux come in and they have trade goods from the whites, including rifles but the Mahto want no part of the white trade.
Ahbleza grows and begins to court a woman from another band, but he doesn't have much to offer. Then Wanagi tells him to give away all his possessions.
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