Bitter Wind (1963)

Film set on a Navajo reservation. It is about the Indian program and especially alcoholism, as seen through the eyes of a young seminary student.
It appears that there exists a longer cut of this film, but I have not as yet been able to find it or discover where it may be kept. Because of that please note that this current cut of the film may be covered by active copyright by Brigham Young University unless it is the same version as the original cut which is now part of the public domain. I welcome any assistance in researching the origins of the film!

[@lbradshaw6817]

I am now 1 year sober! I was inactive for many years, my wife of 23 years very almost divorced me. We have 4 kids. I finally quit drinking after years of alcohol abuse. Today Im sober and fully active in my ward. Im now the youth sunday school teacher in our ward. Goal for 2021 to enter the temple by october this year. Thank my father in heaven for the word of wisdom. God bless you all❤🙏

[@user-lc5lz3jp7k]

Hello friend

[@cherihayes8841]

I need help... thank u

[@PapaKryptoss]

I remember growing up in Farmington New Mexico in the early 70s. Driving through Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community and seeing many men drunk on the side of the road. Alcohol still does this to this day. Thanks God for the word of wisdom to help us.

[@taimamurphy1489]

My papa is the one at 12:29, look at the big smile of his, I have his exact smile. Such a handsome man. Best papa I've ever had. He passed away a few years ago.. I love and miss you dearly..papa.. Elliot Murphy...this is the only way for me to see him..

[@caitie1478]

The woman playing the mother is My grandma, the man in the red shirt at 5:53 is my grandpa and in the beginning when they were telling stories, the girl on the side of my grandma is my auntie. Funny thing is that my grandma hated this movie because she hates alcohol.

[@59Alaskan]

Thnx for sharing!

[@beauhudson8656]

This is Amazing. My cute little mother can be found at 19:17 walking off the bus,,,,all smiles. How crazy is that???? we find this video clip of my mom from 1963 when she was 11 years old. This was also the year she went on the Indian student placement program. Wow.... I mean Wow. Thank you to whoever FOUND THIS VIDEO OR POSTED IT. YOU ARE AMAZING. Albquerque NM Jan 2017

[@bahe2010utube]

its was never a public film until recently it became public. It's only one of a kind of films.

[@almartine9450]

School in Ramah NM showed flim back in 1973 .. i alway wondered where this film was made? Coming in to Gallup from south 10miles out on 602hwy thinking it as made there.. i always wanting to know where the film was made?

[@kurtmurphy7878]

@@almartine9450 Yes, it was filmed south of Gallup where you said. My father was the one that played the oldest son in the film. I remember coming from Zuni and coming up before getting to Gallup and my father pointed out to the right and said that is where they filmed this at. That was probably almost 20 years ago that he had said that.

[@MrStaybrown]

"Don't steal or tell stories of things that didn't happen." Something that is common across the U.S. today.

[@bahe2010utube]

This film still brings tears to my eyes. I am 62 and its heartbreaking, it's still happening in this day 2018 in different form but the effect of alcoholism is the still the same. Its destroys family, home, etc. so sad.

[@almartine9450]

Where was this movie made at it looks likes on south of Gallup 602 hwy

[@gaymichaelis7581]

Thank you very much for a great video! And thank you to all who acted in it and all those who produced, directed, etc., this film!!!

[@notbrownie3063]

It’s sad that we still have that same struggle today in our communities.

[@wilsonbegay7121]

Yes you still coming to my home?

[@jaydraper8704]

Thank you for sharing this film.

[@arizonadreamers-fredsteven3656]

Wow..I haven't seen this since I was little.my dad Fred Stevens the 4th showed me long ago..and I almost forgot about it..brought tears to my eyes watching it again..many memories of watching it with my dad.

[@misterzzie189]

I love this movie, I'm 26. and I've seen this video when I was 7. but that time it was all in Navajo language. now it's English. but felt real good and shed tears when I 1st seen this movie again.

[@hopenavajo1391]

This is the real truth,alcoholism does kill.It has killed my dad and his nephews,. Sometimes I think about it.Good thing I am not drinking alcohol to satisfy my problems.

[@hopenavajo1391]

It does bring bitter memory for me,because my father died from it along with his nephews

[@navaxoalaska1022]

Amazing film..love and respect from Greece to our brothers . God bless you all.

[@earlc5990]

By early 70s, I saw this in junior high, it was already in my family.

[@pamderrick1382]

There is an earlier version. I guess it would be in the BYU library. The reason I know this is because when it first came out, the missionaries were showing it at a booth at the Navajo County Fair in Holbrook, AZ. My brothers & I were watching it and the part that showed the bucking horses in the rodeo was longer because my father was the stock contractor and we recognized he was because it showed my uncles doing their job as pick-up men for the bronc riding. We recognized them because at that time they wore red & white shaps to protect their legs and we could tell distinctly who they were. We had never seen the movie before that day. We went & told my Dad (who was furnishing the stock for the rodeo at the fair, that weekend) that there was a movie with his men in it and that he should come & see it. The last day of the fair he went and viewed it. He had never heard of the movie prior, After he went and saw it, he purchased a copy. He was very proud that the church had made a movie with a rodeo he put on, he would show it to people all the time. My Father & Mother have passed & the copy has been lost. If anyone knows how I could get a copy, I would really appreciate it. If the BYU library has a copy, I would like to purchase one.

[@HardtoFindMormonVideos]

+Pam Derrick What a wonderful family connection! I sincerely hope you are able to find another copy. Perhaps more stories like this would help to get BYU to digitize their old film collections both to help preserve them for historical purposes as well as to keep alive these connections many of us have to the past through these films.

[@bradjames891]

my mission, Arizona Tucson, sprang from the Holbrook Mission. As of July 1, 1990, so this is part of my heritage. I spent time in Tucson and El Paso, as well as my final transfer in the Gila Valley, mostly July 2003.

[@bahe2010utube]

its still same film only this one cut version.

[@bahe2010utube]

My Cheii Ernest Hubbell made brief appearance outside American Bar, he was one of the missionaries. This is english version. the original is in Dine'.

[@panos..1063]

love and respect from greece brothers ...

[@yosemite2405]

Classic. Man gets woman started on addiction then changes HIS mind and tosses insults to her when she doesn't change hers.

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

dude, well done

[@velhoburrinho2019]

A major problem with this film is that after 20 years of showing this in LDS seminaries in Utah, the average LDS Mormon thinks that this is what goes on exclusively on the reservation. The stereotyping continues to this day.

[@59Alaskan]

No we don't! Sure, some could but...

[@wuTskRackin]

Some homes on the Rez do be like this though. Alcoholism is a serious addiction that breaks families apart.

[@harrymarks9397]

It's not stero typing it's true even today. Thousands of our people are still victims each year.

[@Spawn303]

Yeah sad thing is, in utah it’s not alcohol but anti-depressants and doctor prescribed medication because members justify it as not illegal or against the “word of wisdom”

[@pearlcastillo7859]

I seen this when I was in Crownpoint Boarding School . The things is that we all suffer from our troubles . Life is such a totall waste we all need to fucus on our Family God is your saver he can help us when we all need him I have a wonderful family never make those mistakes in your Life let God take over your problems. Love one another GOD BLEES YOU All 😂

[@pearlitacastillo3946]

I've seen this dark in 1972 it's still a classic 😊 thanks for the video

[@jl-heatfan4life717]

KGAK still at the same spot to this day 2021 wow, that grandma is right "There Will Never Be Goin Back To Good Old Days"

[@stevekim7d2]

This is so true, and so sad.......... I'm a white guy, this kills me........... What a shame........

[@creamtast6692]

I am a Navajo but in tradition I'm Díne which means Native/Navajo

[@user-ec7sl3wj8c]

I was 4 years old when my sister and i walked through the deep snow to get powdered milk for grandma. The snow was deep, my sister passed away. My aunt and uncle are in this movie too.

[@jicarillagurl]

So, what was wrong with the traditional Diné ways and ceremonies?

[@bahe2010utube]

meaning? its alcoholism that destroys which in turn affects out way of life, cultures, traditions, way of life and our religions.

[@user-tp6gy2qo4o]

Not just alcoholism ,christianity is also destroying our culture and traditions

[@marthabenally3756]

❤the lady who played Aunt Desbah ,Helen Mc Cabe I used to attend church with her, Tohatchi Baptist Church,in Tohatchi N.M. I believe she was a teacher,she was a nice lady 🙏👏😇

[@edwardyazzie2099]

I FINALLY FOUND MY DAD AT 24:02, I WAS NOT EVEN BORN YET. NOW IM 52 AND I MISS HIM EVERYDAY. LOVE YOU DAD! ED

[@leonardproductions418]

"Maybe the new days will be better than the old"

[@jamierupert7563]

I have heard that there is an underground storage bldg( underground due to climate ) in I believe Butler, PA. They save and store alot of old Hollywood films. I live in Pittsburgh, PA about 45-60 mins away from that area. I have never personally seen it but know it does exist. I'm sorry I don't have an exact name for the place but it would be a good place to start your search. Feel free to contact me if you would like anymore information. I will do my best to help you.

[@jamierupert7563]

[e-mail] forget to add that to comment. I am knew at this internet stuff so I apologize for my mistake.

[@bahe2010utube]

BYU has original copy. only one in existence.

[@janicewelch517]

Thia vid make me cry, how things was in hozooh way back in the days n within seconds it was sripped away. Like to see the entire video of this.

[@antoniochiquito9081]

Gossip is "Baahaadzid "

[@janetjohnson7279]

🙏🙏

[@thinkagainVarela]

i will like to see the end or the second part it reminds me my rancho in chihuahua

[@leahalexander6638]

Look who sold them the Rum 😑

[@icequeen4104]

What kind of animal is with the boy in this movie? 😕

[@59Alaskan]

@Katharina Kleine actually it's a goat...haha

[@tobeyamosa41]

Here from Dylan Gossett

[@jellyfish2591]

Is this the full movie???

[@HardtoFindMormonVideos]

+richelle auger As far as I am aware, it is. If you know of a longer or different cut I would be very interested in finding out more. If I cannot find such an earlier edition, I will try to annotate that fact as part of the video (such as with "The Windows of Heaven" where the only extant edition of the original cut is still on film stored at BYU and has never been released after its original run through Utah in 1963).

[@bahe2010utube]

This is the full movie..

[@RayBadoni]

Order a copy

[@hopenavajo1391]

I wonder if some of these people are still alive,it has been 53 years since this film was made. There is another version of this film in the Navajo,but it is poorly dubbed.

[@themountaingirl1]

The older "Billy Yazzie" is my father. He just passed last November. He was only 73.

[@user-ec7sl3wj8c]

I'm still alive but my sister has passed we were the ones who got into the old hogan to get powder milk for sick grandma the snow was deep for us. I miss my sister. E

[@hopenavajo1391]

@@user-ec7sl3wj8c awesome 👍 thanks for the reply. Your sister and you made a good movie,I laughed when I saw the powder on her face. It reminds me of my dad that passed away because of alcoholism.🙏🙏

[@hyattblackcrow]

good story of how white mans way of life does not work for us, we are Pure God loving people with big hearts for life

[@josephgeronimo3720]

Seen this when i was in Albuquerque Indian School. Recommended for all Joseph GERONIMO

[@jicarillagurl]

And grandma has russian accent...

[@henderickadakai4226]

its a voice over the original movie is in the Navajo language.

[@henderickadakai4226]

It's a voice over, the original version is in the Navajo language.

[@Variations123]

Native Americans and other indigenous tribes do not have the certain enzymes needed to break down alcohol- and have others that interfere with its metabolism. So sad that we introduced such things to such beautiful people, and that we have taken so much away from them, this always breaks my heart

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

LOLWUT? Why are you propagating nonsense? Take a physiology class!

[@jpowell2603]

28:41 That's pretty strong milk she's got there 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hopenavajo1391]

What a shame,native fighting native.

[@Hey_its_Koda]

why does granny have a russian accent. lol

[@joshuadarden1362]

that firewater lol

[@mallyflower844]

I went on the mormon placement program in the 80s and vividly remember being shown this movie. It was the saddest movie my 10 year old self had seen. Fortunately my grandmother and parents were not alcoholics because they believed in and abided by our traditional teachings of the Dinè way. This is Mormon propaganda to aide in Dine cultural genocide. It's very sad to use alcoholism of a Nation to lure people into the LDS church.

[@59Alaskan]

Sadly that is your perception, but it IS truth..

[@mallyflower844]

@@59Alaskan What is truth? Mormonism? Christianity? Those are new religions compared to our Dinè teachings. We are not Godless people neither. We have lived and abided by our teachings of our fore fathers for generations. Only lost souls and people are desperate to follow any belief which aren't their own.

[@harrymarks9397]

Mormon propaganda my foot. It saved a lot of lives and families. Whether the people who saw it became Mormons is beside the point.

[@charlesstepp2083]

When the feds sent air support, armed troops against my people in Appalachia, not one video has been made. Ooh, they're so beautiful. Ooh, one with nature. Blah blah fucking blah