Customer Reviews

Thunderheart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(86)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Time over time, Val Kilmer has proven that he is not just a pretty face. He has continually impressed even the most severe critics that he is a formidable actor. THUNDERHEART, to me, is among his best performances.

There is some predictability in the plot: Kilmer portrays an FBI agent who is part Native-American. When he is sent to a reservation to investigate a crime, he begins to respect and embrace the heritage he had not previously acknowledged. What is not predictable, however, is how well the script avoids sentiment and focuses on Kilmer's transformation.

Loosely based on the actual events surrounding Leonard Peltier's American Indian Movement, and the murders of FBI agents on the Pine Ridge reservation (all of which is the subject of Peter Matthiessen's book "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse"), THUNDERHEART is a powerful examination of the surreal and frightening life on Native American reservations. Brutality is everywhere: whites against Indians, Indians against Indians, etc. Director Michael Apted does a remarkable job of tempering the violence with scenes of beauty and with images of a peace-loving tribe of people. This is a heartbreaking film at times, but there is a sense of justice in the long-run. THUNDEHEART is not a piece of hunk-actor mind candy. This is a powerful (and underrated) film that demands your attention. It is well-worth it.

If I remember correctly, this movie was not rated well when it was first released in theatres. I couldn't understand why since it was well made, had a decent cast and had a thought provoking plot based on true events.

The cinematography is very attactive in showing the badlands of South Dakota and featuring looks into the Indian reservations. Also, the music was well done and offered a nice perspective of Native American sounds and environments.

This movie also sends a message about a darker time in America's past when the govenrment perpetrated some devious acts against the Native Americans. Maybe it was high time that these events came out into the open so that more people would know what happened and know that what the U.S. government did was very wrong.

Val Kilmer proved to be well suited for the "by the book" FBI agent that came of age and got in touch with his Indian heritage and learned to do the right thing. Sam Shepard, a great actor as always, played the role very well of the "dark horse" FBI agent with skeletons in his closet and a secret agenda on the Sioux reservation. Graham Greene could not have done any better as the reservation police officer. Showing his pride and dignity as an Native American along with the humorous backlashings at Val Kilmer made for pleasant interactions throughout the movie.

A movie worth watching again and again.

A low profile but vicious war is being waged on the Oglala Sioux reservation in South Dakota, on one hand there are the "traditionalists" who are adamant on protecting their culture, on the other are the pro-governement natives led by a particulary nasty man called John Milton (Fred Ward). This war results in a murder of Leo Fast Elk, a native who was also a council member. Due to the sensitivity if the case the FBI does the PC thing and sends a one fourth Indian agent named Roy Levoi (Val Kilmer). The first hint that the this won't be another run of the mill thriller is the Roy Levoi character, he isn't your average hero, infact he is no hero at all. When we first see him he is a "by the book" FBI man, and the film more then anything else is the story of how he wrestles with and discovers his true identity. Kilmer's performance is both subtle and superb.

Good thrillers keep us guessing for the truth, great thrillers like Peter Weir's WITNESS and Jim Mcbride's THE BIG EASY are more concerned with the atmosphere and cultural quirks of the characters. Thunderheart is very nearly a great thriller, more concerned with the thematic and moral implications of the Indian tribal wars then using Indians for atmosphere. There is a real sense of discovery in watching this film, an attention to detail that gives it the credibilty to survive the rules of the thriller. There is also undercurrent supernatural element (actually spiritual would be more accurate) that is handled with subtlety and grace by the director.

Hitchcock said there is no suspense in the boom, only the anticipation of one. As a result most thrillers have to survive their endings. Although on reflection Thunderheart's ending seems improbable, during the film you are carried by its momentum that you don't mind.

The title of this review refers to one character's desciption of the native Indians in the U.S. . This is the most fascinating thing for me about the film, the thin line between cultural protection and xenophobia. The violence the almost certainly errupts when different cultures collide. Although the film is clearly on the Sioux's side (and correctly so), the larger subject is fascinating.

Micheal Apted's recent films always seem to fall short of their alluring premises, both Nell and Extreme Measure were solid but lacking something. But in Thunderheart he has created a fascinating, beautiful and haunting film.

"Run, run for the Stronghold, Thunderheart.' 'The soldiers are coming." This movie is one of my favorites. I really did not care for Val Kilmer when I found out he played a key role in that idiot of a movie Top Gun but since Thunderheart, he has become one of my favorites. You can actually see the change in Val Kilmer's eyes as his character unfolds into the shaman and guardian of Indian beliefs he becomes at the end and what an ending! I saw this movie at four different theaters and every time the audience gasped at a relieved surprise when both men turn to face The Stronghold. The director lifted a story of one man's journey of a mystical discovery of himself, his heritage, a past life and an adoration of Indian land, into a poetic defiance. All the actors, including the dog, weave a clever, funny, sad and powerful tale into one explosive climax. Even James Horner's music hypnotizes the viewer from the very beginning of the movie. It is as if you can shape shift into a another form and float across the Badlands. I see this movie once a month and when I loan it to friends, they return it with a look of wonder in their eyes. I wish there could had been some kind of sequel. If you watch the ending credits, you will see the name of the individual this movie is dedicated to. On another note, the mystical quality of the movie reminds me of The Last Wave and Never Cry Wolf which are both well done. How I wish for a sequel. Michael Apted, are you listening?

This is a go-to movie if you don't know what to watch. I think this is Val Kilmer's best dramatic performance (I also loved him in 'Real Genius'). The movie portrays Kilmer's character initially dismissing but eventually rediscovering, through well-done visions, his heritage amid the murders, corruption and eventual resolution the movie entertainingly provides. My top praise though must go to Graham Greene (Dances w/ Wolves, Northern Exposure, etc) as the wry, witty sheriff who has never had 'a vision'. Whenever Graham's name appears on the opening credits, I know I'm going to be in for a treat. Major kudos also to the cinematographer - the South Dakota badlands scenery and the excellent use of back-lighting is worth the price of admission alone - haunting, stark, but at the same time beckoning and beautiful. Not being a Native American, I cannot comment on the authenticity of life 'on the Rez', but it was moving on many levels nonetheless. A movie worthy of any collector interested in Native American interests.

Thunderheart is an extraordinary film inspired by true events that occurred on various Native American Reservations during the 1970's. The film focuses on a specific incident involving the murder of a tribal council member in the Dakotas. Consequently, the FBI is called in to conduct the investigation, which they thought would be a quick "three day in and out" affair. Director Michael Apted casted a talented group of actors for Thunderheart including Native American Graham Greene, who's actually from Canada. Greene is persuasively convincing portraying the role of Walter Crow Horse, a local sheriff in the Badlands of South Dakota. Walter Crow Horse eventually conducts his own investigation, which goes ignored by everyone except FBI agent Ray Levoi. Levoi, who's father was half Sioux, is brilliantly depicted by Val Kilmer. It's Levoi's role that assumes the lead in this film, and Kilmer's performance is provocative and absorbing. Finally, we have veteran actor Sam Shepard depicting the role of FBI agent Frank Catelle, who thinks the Native Americans are "a conquered people." This film was poignatly produced by Robert De Niro and it's a very compelling picture that successfully links Native Americans and their history to their present day challenges with the federal government of the United States. "Driving through here is like driving through a third world country smack dab in the middle of America," says agent Frank Catelle. It's observations like those that I think make the film so fascinating. Ultimately, Michael Apted uses those scenes to challenge white America's position towards Native Americans both in the past and in the present. I think this is truly a magnificent movie about Native Americans and their challenging struggle to maintain cultural indentity in a narrow minded white dominated society.

I first saw this movie on HBO and was left wondering why I hadn't seen this in the theatre.

Val Kilmer is outstanding the FBI agent who finds that everything is not as it seems, not only with the FBI but with his own identity and heritage.

The movie walks a fine line between mysticism and reality and does it well. The script is engaging and Micheal Apted's direction keeps up the pace. All the supporting roles are very well done but Graham Greene was terrific as the Reservation sherrif.

Based on actual events, there's a real sadness to the story as we see how more than once, in most cases, our government really didn't the indians best at heart.

If you read many reviews of this film you will find most people came to see it by accident or some quirk of fate. This is one of those films you stumble on and are thankful you did. Great cinema - an for those that haven't seen it yet, an undiscovered classic.

The plot centers around an FBI secret agenda to purchase Indian land for uranium. An agent is chosen because of his native American roots to investigate a murder on a rezervation. He isn't told the real reason for the job. He doesn't acknowledge his native roots and would rather it wasn't so. However, as the film progresses he unwillingly embarks on a spiritual journey that opens his eyes to the spirituality of his people and the corruption of his fellow FBI colleagues. The film does seem to be a thinly disguised parrallel to the Leonard Peltier story but don't let that put you off. It is a moving story of a struggle for survival against the poverty of a third world America and the conspiracy at high levels to deprive them of their lands. Val Kilmer is the half blood FBI agent, and Grahame Green is the Indian cop who convinces him of the truth of what is going on. Graham Greene is the true star of the film and gives a superb performance. It has something for everyone whatever their level of awareness. It has guns, blood, and car chases. It gives us a look into the spirituality and warmth and wonderful humor of the native American, allowing us to explore a whole gamut of emotions. A great thriller with a twist that ends up freeing the agent to be who he really is and leaves us, the viewer, inspired to stand up and be counted.

If you have even a passing interest in Native-American culture and affairs, you must see this movie. It brings to light the ( ongoing ) friction between the F.B.I. and the other F.B.I. ( full-blooded Indians ). You'll see nothing overly romantic here, only the appalling poverty and violence on modern-day reservations. As mentioned in other reviews, the performances are outstanding, especially Val Kilmer as the initially uptight and all-business G-man and Graham Greene as the ball-busting good guy and honest cop. There is a great sense of humor that develops between the two ( and the old wise man ) as Kilmer's agent lightens up and shares a camaraderie with his fellow Sioux. In addition, the panoramic shots of the reservation's natural beauty ( What must it have looked like teeming with elk, buffalo, and the free Indians of many Nations? ) serve to underscore the heartbreak and further the emotional pull of the story. A definite recommend, and a reminder that despite many hardships, including the murderous corruption of the all-Native reservation police force, Indian culture still survives and it needs to be protected from the never-ending greed of outside interests.

If you thought "Manifest Destiny" was over after the white man settled America in the 19th century, then unfortunately your dead wrong. This movie is based on actual events which occured in the 70's on various Sioux Indian Reservations. Basically, it's about a covert government operation to keep the lid on illegal uranium testing which has been poisoning the Indian's driking water. So, what does the government do about it? Lie, kill, steal, cheat, etc. etc. I won't say that the Government did this for racial/genocidal reasons, but rather for greed... thus, I'm not subscribing to the notion that the "evil white man did it." Afterall the government does those kinds of things to anyone and everyone indiscriminately, and not just to "poor Indians." Nonetheless, it's pretty pathetic. In conclusion, the movie was well directed, the acting was good (Val Kilmer of Doors fame, and Graham Greene from Dances With Wolves), great cinematography, and a pretty good musical score. Overall it's one of my favorite, uh... how shall I say it, movies concerning Indians and things. (Check out Last of the Mohicans, Dances With Wolves, and maybe The Doors-- although it's not really about Indians.)