Thunderheart (1992)

A young mixed-blood FBI agent is assigned to work with a cynical veteran investigator on a murder on a poverty-stricken Sioux reservation.

Director:

Michael Apted

Writer:

John Fusco

Stars:

Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard, Graham Greene

2 nominations.

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

Storyline

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. Slowly he rejects the intimidating tactics of his fellow FBI agents, who are not so interested in solving the crime as covering up an incriminating situation with the locals, and as he becomes more tuned to his heritage, the locals begin trusting him. Based on actual Reservation occurrences of the '70s.

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Plot Keywords:

sioux | fbi | reservation | fbi agent | murder | 

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Taglines:

Two men from different worlds. Two cops after the same killer. Together they must uncover the secrets. Together they must discover the truth.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and for some areas of violence

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United Kingdom]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Sioux

Release Date:

3 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Coeur de tonnerre

Filming Locations:

Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$22,660,758 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Tribeca Productions, Waterhorse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The video clip which William Dawes shows Ray Levoi in the beginning of the film is actual footage of Native American activists rioting in Custer, South Dakota. The activists were protesting the change from a white man's charges from murder to second degree manslaughter, in the death of a Native American in Custer. They scuffled with the South Dakota Highway Patrol, set fire to the courthouse, and incurred property damage.

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Goofs

The boom mic is reflected in the windows of the car Agent LeVoi ducks behind when he chases Jimmy Looks Twice into the trailer before his escape.

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Quotes

Jimmy Looks Twice: Sometimes they have to kill us. They have to kill us, because they can't break our spirit.

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Connections

Featured in Last Action Hero (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Badlands"
Written by Bruce Springsteen (1977)
Sung by Bruce Springsreen over car radio

User Reviews

Truly a must see

I would like to start out by saying that this is one of my favorite films. I thought Val Kilmer was amazing as Ray Lavoy. This movie is based on some real life events; however, not everything in this movie is a real life event, due to lawsuits. Graham Greene also had an outstanding role in this movie. I must say that this movie is a must see, also this movie shows you what things one should not take for granted. If you liked this movie, check out Skinwalkers.