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IMDb > Thunderheart (1992)
Thunderheart
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Thunderheart (1992) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Thunderheart (1992) -- US Home Video Trailer from TriStar Pictures

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Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   6,103 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
John Fusco (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Thunderheart on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 April 1992 (USA) more
Tagline:
Two men from different worlds. Two cops after the same killer. Together they must uncover the secrets. Together they must discover the truth.
Plot:
An FBI man with Sioux background is sent to a reservation to help with a murder investigation, where he has to come to terms with his heritage... more | add synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
User Comments:
Thunderheart : the American Indian lives on in American Soul more (71 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Val Kilmer ... Ray Levoi

Sam Shepard ... Frank Coutelle

Graham Greene ... Walter Crow Horse

Fred Ward ... Jack Milton
Fred Dalton Thompson ... William Dawes
Sheila Tousey ... Maggie Eagle Bear
Ted Thin Elk ... Grandpa Sam Reaches (as Chief Ted Thin Elk)
John Trudell ... Jimmy Looks Twice
Julius Drum ... Richard Yellow Hawk
Sarah Brave ... Maisy Blue Legs
Allan R.J. Joseph ... Leo Fast Elk
Sylvan Pumpkin Seed ... Hobart
Patrick Massett ... Agent Mackey

Rex Linn ... FBI Agent
Brian A. O'Meara ... FBI Agent
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
119 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Based on a true story, documented as Incident at Oglala (1992), which was also directed by Michael Apted. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Bloodstain disappears from the right side of LeVoi's shirt. more
Quotes:
Richard Yellow Hawk: You better watch yourself pal, I'm the FBI round here. Full blooded Indian. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Last Action Hero (1993) more

FAQ

Is "Thunderheart" based on a book?
How does the movie end?
Who is Leonard Peltier, the guy on whom Jimmy Looks Twice is based?
more
16 out of 25 people found the following comment useful.
Thunderheart : the American Indian lives on in American Soul, 10 June 2005
10/10
Author: Logicaliman from United States

Watching Val Kilmer execute a brilliant performance is not only entertaining, to say the least, but moving.

Kilmer comes to grips with his 1/4 Sioux background and with the forces of "civilization" as an FBI agent. The forces of civilization are the infamous greed and corruption, or "special interests" as some politicians prefer to use. The Sioux are accused of proud but reckless. They're right about the pride. What is omitted by the forces of civilization is the honor of these people.

Particularly engaging is the mysticism of the Sioux. FBI agent Ray Levoi (Kilmer) is gradually absorbed by this mysticism (as can be the audience), and opens greater insight into the real conflict.

While probably the majority of Americans cannot claim Native American heritage, surely, the land can. And belonging to the land, as Americans, that heritage must be ours as well. This film inspires one to feel such thoughts and feelings, especially if we feel attachment to (and presumably, love for) this land, America.

One most interesting observation about owls: one character says to Levoi, the FBI agent, "the owl is the messenger; it means somebody's going to die." That is a common interpretation in Mexico too, surely brought down by its Indians, the common vision there being that of a barn owl (lechuza, in Spanish).

This mysticism is very powerful in this film. I recommend it for quality acting performances, and high spirituality.

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Poor casting choice of Val Kilmer Pegasys9
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Great Movie kamshak11
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