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Thunderheart

  • 19921992
  • RR
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Thunderheart (1992)
Home Video Trailer from TriStar Pictures
Play trailer2:22
1 Video
43 Photos
CrimeMysteryThriller
A young mixed-blood FBI agent is assigned to work with a cynical veteran investigator on a murder on a poverty-stricken Sioux reservation.A young mixed-blood FBI agent is assigned to work with a cynical veteran investigator on a murder on a poverty-stricken Sioux reservation.A young mixed-blood FBI agent is assigned to work with a cynical veteran investigator on a murder on a poverty-stricken Sioux reservation.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
    • Michael Apted
    • John Fusco
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Sam Shepard
    • Graham Greene
    • Michael Apted
    • John Fusco
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Sam Shepard
    • Graham Greene
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Thunderheart
    Trailer 2:22
    Watch Thunderheart

    Photos43

    Val Kilmer, Graham Greene, and Sam Shepard in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Sam Shepard in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)
    Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in Thunderheart (1992)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Val Kilmer
    Val Kilmer
    • Ray Levoi
    Sam Shepard
    Sam Shepard
    • Frank Coutelle
    Graham Greene
    Graham Greene
    • Walter Crow Horse
    Fred Ward
    Fred Ward
    • Jack Milton
    Fred Thompson
    Fred Thompson
    • William Dawes
    • (as Fred Dalton Thompson)
    Sheila Tousey
    Sheila Tousey
    • Maggie Eagle Bear
    Ted Thin Elk
    • Grandpa Sam Reaches
    • (as Chief Ted Thin Elk)
    John Trudell
    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
    Patrick Massett
    • Agent Mackey
    Rex Linn
    Rex Linn
    • FBI Agent
    Brian A. O'Meara
    • FBI Agent
    Duane Brewer
    • Ranger
    Lewis C. Bradshaw
    • Ranger
    Dennis Banks
    Dennis Banks
    • Self
      • Michael Apted
      • John Fusco
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Trudell (Jimmy Looks Twice) really did serve in Vietnam and was acting chairman of A.I.M. From 1973 to 1979.
    • Goofs
      FBI agent Ray Levoi is leaving D.C. for South Dakota but when they show his plane take off, LAX's distinctive control tower is clearly visible.
    • 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!"

    • Alternate versions
      The version prepared by Tristar for commercial television showing featured 270 separate cuts, removing 22 minutes of footage. To shorter the film even further, the film was time-compressed to gain an additional 4 minutes, and the credits speeded-up to lose another 2 minutes. Director Michael Apted asked to have his name removed from the mutilated TV version, or have a disclaimer shown before the title credits, stating that he disowned that version. After legal litigation, Tristar opted to remove Apted's name and credit the TV version to pseudonymous director Alan Smithee.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Straight Talk/Rock-a-Doodle/Thunderheart/Beethoven/Raise the Red Lantern (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      Badlands
      Written and Performed by Bruce Springsteen

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

      by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

    User reviews104

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    reasons you will love this enlightened modern western
    This is one of my personal favorites. I gave it a 9 as I don't think that it's a perfect film, though it is very close. The acting is great and it's heart is in the right place. There are dozens of plot descriptions available here, so i will just tell you why you might love this film....

    • a very honest and realistic portrayal of native Americans (by native Americans, like the excellent Graham Greene from 'Dances with Wolves').


    • excellent location cinematography, it was filmed in the badlands.


    • one of the most satisfying climactic scenes ever....it really feels good.


    • the film has a fairly strong anti-government sentiment to it...(if you're all gung-ho for the US government, this film may not be for you).


    • Thunderheart is based on actual events that happened on Pine Ridge Reservation in the 1970s. John Trudell, who plays Jimmy Looks-twice (the FBIs main suspect), was actually there! He is a real real-life Sioux activist whose character is loosely-based on Leonard Peltier.


    Some other quick tidbits, look for David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young as a bartender in the bar room scene. I love the allegorical last shot of the film with Ray (Val Kilmer) in his car. Very fitting...which way to go? The whole film fits perfectly and usually I will say that many films wont appeal to every taste, however in the case of Thunderheart I will say this ....I don't know one person whose opinion I value who doesn't like this movie!

    further note: If you like this one try watching the 1970 classic 'Little Big Man'.
    helpful•16
    2
    • barrwell
    • Sep 9, 2010

    FAQ10

    • Is "Thunderheart" based on a book?
    • What happened in the Wounded Knee incident that inspired this movie?
    • Who is Leonard Peltier, the guy on whom Jimmy Looks Twice is based?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 3, 1992 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • Sioux
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Tribeca Productions
      • Waterhorse Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 59 minutes
      • Color

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