i be a big fan of this film and find the tv mini series child of the dust and the version fan should look for . at least 20 minute or more be cut on the dvd version of this film . i would also suggest viewer who enjoy this film to check out the book there be a more rounded storyline with corby or whitewolf and rachel and more on black history and buffalo solder . there be two many storyline for the series or this film . sidney poitier only show he get well with age and the talent just keep grow the chemistry between his character of gypsy smith and regina taylor be wonderful viewing . i also enjoy the billy wirth or joanna go storyline and they seem to play off each other well . billy wirth be of course the model of indian vision . the look and the attitude and the dream of every woman who be want to be carry off in one of those romance novel by a native hero . work for me also . much more could have be do with this storyline but it do give the viewer a brief glimpse of racial problem back in the 1880 and white take over of native schooling and lack of black pioneer to setup town in the west . michael moriarty ( maxwell ) a always a great actor come across a a very caring and confuse teacher and not sure if the white should be interfere with native culture . for anyone who enjoy character and watch them change this film be for you . i think the chemistry between poitier character and that of the orphan whitewolf very move and think wirth and poitier work very well together . billy wirth do some of his best scene when work with poitier . go get on my nerve sometimes when you want to just stop and shake her or give her a wake up and grow up call . but on the whole it be a great evening of entertainment . look for the two tape version of this mini series if you be a fan you will really see the difference .