Wonderful character development!

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Brilliant and touching

Better Late Then Never

There's been a murder on a Sioux Indian reservation in South Dakota and it's connected to reservation politics. Assistant FBI director Fred Dalton Thompson thinks it would be a good idea to specifically assign an agent with an Indian and specifically a Sioux heritage to investigate the homicide, figuring that the insular Sioux might better cooperate with him. Agent Val Kilmer fills the bill and he's assigned to one of the bureau's top operatives Sam Sheppard who reluctantly takes him along. Even Sheppard who's a loner sees that Kilmer just might be useful here.To say that there is more on this reservation than meets the eye is putting it mildly. And Kilmer finds he has a destiny here and he does in fact solve the case with the help of reservation cop Graham Greene.When referring to Indians in the USA their various tribes are called this or that nation. Calling them a nation as far as Thunderheart is concerned is correct in more ways than one. The reservations have their own autonomy in a lot of things, but they are also covered under the Constitution of these United States although you wouldn't think so the way tribal chief Fred Ward runs things. In fact the scenes of his reservation police disregarding basic fundamental rights could come out of some third world nation. That is the scariest part of Thunderheart and the part you will remember best.There's not just murder here, there's corruption on a grand scale and that is the destiny that Val Kilmer has in this film, to root it out and expose it. Just what is going on and who is involved you have to watch Thunderheart for.Although this is a part Lou Diamond Phillips should have played, Val Kilmer does fine in the lead. Another memorable role is that of Sheila Tousey, schoolteacher and Indian activist who has a good idea of what's going on and makes no bones to Kilmer about where his loyalties should lie.Sam Sheppard's role as an FBI agent is one that never would have seen the light of day if J. Edgar Hoover was alive. You'll see what I mean when you watch Thunderheart.Thunderheart is a fine drama, nicely photographed on location with fine performances uniformly from the cast. We can only hope that tribal leaders like Fred Ward are some kind of aberration among the American Indians.

Wow, this quite simply has to be one of the most entertaining films ever made. Never before has the plight of the Native Americans been handled in such a manner. There is no stereotypical handling at all, and the beliefs are treated and handled with care.Everyone excels in their roles. Val Kilmer is amazing as Ray Levoi, the FBI agent with native blood who's running from his past, mainly because of shame over his father, who was a drunk. Graham Greene is perfectly cast as Walter Crow Horse. Sam Sheppard as Levoi's corrupt partner investigating a murder on Indian land with Levoi. Ted Thin Elk gives one of the bets performances as the lovable Grandpa Sam Reaches. Sehlia Tousey is great as well in a supporting role as the ill-fated Maggie Eagle Bear.The film moves swiftly, with twist and turns set against the perfect back drop. Too see a nation of people reduced to living in the squaller that they are in this film is unsettling, and serves as the perfect backdrop to the plot and story. Vetern actor Fred Ward also performs well, if be it a little underused, as to evil JAck Milton. Look for Iconic singer David Crosby in a cameo appearance as a Bartender.The murder of a Tribal leader named Leo Fast Elk unearths a plot between Sheppard's Frank Coutelle and Ward's Milton to mine the Indian land for a valuable mineral. This is learned by Levio as he and Crow Horse attempt to unravel the mystery, all the time, keeping guard against the corruption of Coutelle and Milton. Coupling this dilemma, Levoi is becoming more and more in touch with his Indian blood, as the line between honor to blood, and duty to country become increasingly blurred.This is an excellent dramatic film set against a real story. Next to his performance as Jim Morrison, this ranks as perhaps Val Kilmer's best work. This is a must see film for everyone, and quite simply, could be one of the greatest films in American movie history.

"Thunderheart" would not even be an average movie without Graham Greene's wonderful performance. As reservation sheriff, his character correctly interprets a brutal murder using both mysticism and logic. Val Kilmer eventually realizes that his fellow F.B.I. agent is leading him on a road to nowhere, and that Graham Greene is onto the truth behind the killing. At almost two hours, the film seems endless, and only Graham Greene's humorous observations, break the sometimes monotonous and sometimes confusing story. The totally acceptable acting, interesting music, and beautiful locations help. The conclusion actually saves the movie, because up to that point, the whole thing seemed to be losing momentum. - MERK

I like the lead actor, the critics give it four out of five, I think that's the only reason I watched it, and I'm a little disappointed that I stuck it out, because it got both confusing and boring, from director Michael Apted (Extreme Measures, The World Is Not Enough). Basically FBI agent Ray Levoi (Val Kilmer), with a Sioux Indian background, is helping out a murder investigation at a reservation in the Badlands of South Dakota, where he is coming to terms with his heritage. He rejects the tactics of his fellow agents, who want to cover up rather than solve the crime. He gets help from Walter Crow Horse (Graham Greene), who I guess has some association with his heritage, and fellow agent Frank Coutelle (Sam Shepard) is concerned. Also starring Fred Ward as Jack Milton, Fred Dalton Thompson as William Dawes, Sheila Tousey as Maggie Eagle Bear, Chief Ted Thin Elk as Grandpa Sam Reaches, John Trudell as Jimmy Looks Twice, Julius Drum as Richard Yellow Hawk, Sarah Brave as Maisy Blue Legs and rock musician David Crosby as Bartender. Robert De Niro might have helped in production, but it doesn't change my opinion that not all of this makes sense to me, I mean there are some very small moments of interest, but not enough to make me want to see it again. Okay, worth seeing at least once, in my opinion!