90s Movie Review - Thunderheart

Director: Michael Apted
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller/ Mystery
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 1992
Starring: Val Kilmer, Graham Greene, Sam Shepard, Fred Ward

Description: A young mixed-blood FBI agent (Val Kilmer) is assigned to work with a cynical veteran investigator (Sam Shepard) on a murder on a poverty-stricken Sioux reservation.

Review: Ever heard of the movie “Thunderheart”? No? That’s not a surprise, because not a lot of people know this movie. Which is a damn shame, because “Thunderheart” is definitely worth watching. “Thunderheart” is about the conflict between the Indians and the American government. FBI agent Ray Levoi is sent to the Badlands, South Dakota, to investigate the murder of an Indian. Jimmy Looks Twice is the main suspect, a member of the Aboriginal Rights Movement. The ARM has committed murders before. Indians are the victims; there is a civil war going on. At least that’s what Frank Coutelle, Jack Milton and his GOON’s make you think. When Ray starts working with Walter Crowe Horse and other local Indians, he slowly discovers the actual truth.

The plot is based on actual events, in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the 1970s. Director Michael Apted also made a documentary, “Incident at Oglala”, that shows us the experiences he had while visiting that area in the 70s. Themes like drilling for uranium, illness amongst Indians because of the radiation in the water and the conflict between Indians and GOON’s were pictured in that documentary. The character of Jimmy Looks Twice is based on Indian activist Leonard Peltier, who was wrongfully accused for killing two FBI agents. It’s strange to see that those things are reality. It makes you feel guilty.

Another important theme in the movie is Ray’s inner struggle. Ray, an FBI agent with talent, has showed some impressive work. He is part Sioux Indian, from his father’s side. Because of Ray’s heritage, he is chosen to investigate this case. So he can easily connect with the Indians. But that’s not as easy as you might think. At first Ray is ashamed of being part Indian, but that later grows out into respect and pride.

Val Kilmer does a great job as FBI agent Ray Levoi, especially because he shows us that inner struggle so well. Funny detail: Kilmer is actually part Cherokee. We also see Sam Shepard as Frank Coutelle and Graham Greene as Walter Crow Horse. Both deliver a solid performance. Most surprising is maybe Ted Thin Elk who, as the 72-year old Grandpa Reaches, debuts in “Thunderheart”.

“Thunderheart” is a forgotten film, sadly enough. The movie has so many great elements and has a good, intelligent plot. If you haven’t seen it, please do and spread the word. More people should see “Thunderheart”.

Rating: 5 / 5