Thunderheart (1992)

Director:

Michael Apted

Writer (WGA):

John Fusco (written by)

Release Date:

3 April 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller | Western

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...

Plot Keywords:

South Dakota | Native American | Neo Noir | Based On True Story | Independent Film

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Sioux

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA

Company:

TriStar Pictures

Trivia:

Based on a true story, documented as Incident at Oglala (1992), which was also directed by Michael Apted.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: After Ray and Walter walk away from the pow-wow campfire at Grandpa's, they start their little argument. After Walter says "they did", Ray says "Bullshit!" After that, you hear Walter say "You're bullshit!" but if you look closely, his lips don't move.

Quotes:

Walter Crow Horse: License and registration?
Ray Levoi: Kiss my ass.
Walter Crow Horse: Hey, this is *my* jurisdiction now. And you were going 59 in a 55 zone.
Ray Levoi: Let me see the radar.
Walter Crow Horse: I don't need no radar, I can tell! I just listen to the wind; it said, "Fifty-nine, nail 'im!"

Movie Connections:

Featured in Last Action Hero (1993)

If you're not in a hurry, a great film.

I had to go with a 9 for this one, because it is a bit long and sleepy, plus the viewer must pay very close attention to follow it. The first time I saw it, at age 17, I didn't really get it, but I had been impacted by it's honest portrayal of the reservation.

Now that you've been warned, I recommend it. I had immediate respect for the Indians I had always considered worthless. We cannot expect them to succeed in a world they didn't create, nor particularly wish to participate in. The intelligence level of the Indian characters is admirable, complimentary, and believable. I'm going to watch it again tomorrow.

Val Kilmer is superb as usual, and Graham Greene should have gotten an Oscar, but sometimes there aren't enough to go around. The cinematography is just amazing. If you like movies that meet you half way and take energy to watch, you'll be impressed. If you liked Titanic, don't bother.