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Thunderheart |
| Product DescriptionA young FBI agent is sent to the Souix reservation to investigate a murder. He finds his own Indian heritage while solving the mystery.Amazon.comTough but moving, Thunderheart is an unusual story about an arrogant FBI agent (Val Kilmer) who participates in a federal investigation of a murder on an Oglala Sioux reservation. Kilmer's character is part Sioux himself, a detail that leaves him cold as he sets about pushing his way through the community to find facts on the case. In time, however, he begins to feel an ethnic tug and grows increasingly sympathetic to the locals and hostile toward his fellow G-men, much to the dismay of his agency mentor (Sam Shepard). The script is based on real events that occurred on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975 in South Dakota (involving an armed standoff between Indian activists and the FBI, an event that prompted Thunderheart director Michael Apted to make a companion documentary, Incident at Oglala). The conclusion of Thunderheart feels like politically charged whimsy, but the real strength of the film is Kilmer's outstanding performance as a man in transformation. Apted's clear-eyed depiction of the Sioux's spiritual and cultural continuity with the past has none of the cloying romanticism of other films about Indians. Produced by Robert De Niro. --Tom KeoghReviewsThis is a great American Indian movie! It's almost a virtual visit of Wounded Knee and this is one of the reasons I purchased this movie. I always enjoy learning about the Plains Indians and this movie gave an excellent account of "The Knee". I felt like I was in this movie trying to help solve this murder and trading with Grandpa. I sympathized with Maggie and her children and fell in love with the Washington Redskin/Ray Lavoi, alias, Val Kilmer (I'm a big fan of his). This movie gave you an up-close view of the Pine Ridge Indian Res and all the injustices that have become a way-of-life to these people. You will want to run to the "Stronghold" with Thunderheart and shout for joy at their triumph there. Don't hesitate to add this movie to your collection because it will put you there right in the middle of all the action. You will want to get up and dance at the PowPow, make a trade with Grandpa and root for Jimmy.
The DVD transfer is very good to excellent.
In a movie that could have become an incoherent, confused mix of multiple storylines, screenwriter John Fusco and director Michael Apted have brilliantly assembled a provoctive film which never fails to keep the viewer thoroughly involved. The story begins with an FBI agent sent to North Dakota to help solve a murder on an Indian reservation. Val Kilmer is the agent whose Sioux heritage is the motivation for the assignment. His partner, Agent Frank Coutelle (Sam Shepard), seems to be all business. The conflict on the reservation seems to be a political situation. The murder of an Indian involved with ARM (Aboriginal Rights Movement) seems to be just another case of politics carried to the extreme.
As the story unfolds, we see Agent Ray Levoi (Kilmer) being pulled into a deeper look at his own life and heritage through an old Indian medicine man played by Granpa Sam Reaches. The FBI begins to look a little less like the protectors and more like a bureaucratic agency willing to sweep the truth away in the name of expediency. Look for a superb performance from Graham Greene (as Walter Crow Horse) as a Reseveration policeman trying to get at the truth but struggling with the Feds and the Indian group aligned with them at every turn. The blending of Indian Religion into the story is skillfuly done so as not to overwhelm the movie with its influence. That religion is given just the right impact to motivate the protagonist in his personal search for himself. The assemble cast is perfect.
If you haven't seen this film, do yourselves a favor and watch it. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Highly recommended for teens and up, especially those who like: Crime dramas, journeys of personal discovery, and a symphatic look at the American Indian in modern America. Easily 5 stars.
my son wanted this movie. he likes all things indian. he thought it was great! i's not too long & moves fast, keeping your attention.
If you break this movie down, it's flaws come forth, but if you just sit back and take it in, you can get a sense of the Native Way. I have seen this movie several times since it came out, and it always is deeply affecting. I finally realized that the magic came from the presence and performance of the old Indian man who lives in the trailer, Grandpa Sam Reaches. He is played by Marvin Ted Thin Elk, and the understated yet immense power and presence he brings to the movie really makes it for me. He plays a simple character with mostly unspoken wisdom and lightness. My favorite line of his is when he laments "They broke my TV!" after the agents tear apart his trailer and destroy the old black and white television he was always watching cartoons on. He is the reason I am fascinated by this movie.
I recently discovered a facebook page 'In Memory of Marvin Ted Thin Elk", and found that he was a beloved and respected Lakota elder in his real life. He is up there for me with Chief Dan George, who was another fantastic Native American actor, whom I came to love after seeing him in 'Little Big Man'.
Just like all movies based on true vents, quite a bit of the story was left out. There was too much focus on Val Kilmer's character perspective and not the perspective of the Native American's. I actually saw the movie in about '94, and remembered little about it. A couple of months ago I read the book "Blood Of The Land". I told my Native American friend that I read the book and what it was about. He reminded me of the Thunder Heart movie. I just recently ordered it and watched it again. I would actually recommend reading "Blood Of The Land" first. It will fill in a lot of "gaps" that the movie left out. The book also has a lot of reference to documents that support the claims against the FBI. If you truly want to know the story, "Blood Of The Land" is a good place to start. It not only raises questions for the reader, it guides the reader to supporting legal documentation, news articles, and eyewitness accounts which the reader can easily reasearch through public records online. Unfortunately, the end of the movie is pure fantasy.
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