Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Val Kilmer | ... | Ray Levoi | |
Sam Shepard | ... | Frank Coutelle | |
Graham Greene | ... | Walter Crow Horse | |
Fred Ward | ... | Jack Milton | |
Fred Thompson | ... | William Dawes (as Fred Dalton Thompson) | |
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 |
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. Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
Michael Apted has had a few indifferent movies, but Thunderheart is in my view his best. Apted spotlights the tribal Indian community in Badlands, South Dakota, exploring the mysticism of the Sioux culture and examining the impact of its forced co-existence with the modern American way of life. This juxtaposed mix of two cultures is best exemplified by Val Kilmer, who plays a young, brash and cocky FBI investigator with Sioux blood sent "back home" to investigate a homicide.
The murder investigation proves to be the tip of the iceberg, revealing a greater conspiracy to steal the land away from the Sioux. There is a surreal edge to the movie throughout, balanced well with an engaging and gripping story line. Kilmer is at his best here, aided well by a great supporting cast. The action was thick and fast, surrounded by an aura of mystical magic that was best supplied by James Horner's thumping soundtrack. For two hours I was enthralled. This is an excellent movie.