Thunderheart (1992)

Directed by: Michael Apted | 114 minutes | thriller | Actors: Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard, Graham Greene, Fred Ward, Sheila Tousey, Ted Thin Elk, John Trudell, Julius Drum, Allan RJ Joseph, Fred Dalton Thomas, Sarah Brave, Sylvan Pumpkin Seed, Patrick Massett, Rex Linn, Brian A O’Meara, Duane Brewer, Lewis C. Bradshaw, Dennis Banks, Candy Hamilton, Jerome Mack, Tom M. LeBeau, Bridgit P. Schock, Terry Graber, David Crosby

Ever heard of the movie ‘Thunderheart’? New? Not surprising, because many people are not aware of the existence of this title. Wrongly, by the way, because ‘Thunderheart’ is worth every effort despite the small production. ‘Any’ effort, because following the intelligent, fast-paced plot requires all your attention. ‘Thunderheart’ mainly revolves around the conflict between the Indians and the American government. FBI Agent Ray Levoi is sent under the Sensitive Operations Unit to the Badlands, South Dakota to solve a murder of an Indian. The murder appears to have been committed by Jimmy Looks Twice, a member of the Aboriginal Rights Movement. The ARM does commit more attacks and murders. Indians are the victims here; so a civil war. At least that’s what Frank Coutelle, Jack Milton and his GOONs (Guardians Of the Oglala Nation) would have you believe. Close contact with Walter Crow Horse and other Indians draws Ray closer to the truth, a truth that also puts him in danger.

The plot of ‘Thunderheart’ is based on true events in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the mid-1970s. In his 1992 documentary ‘Incident at Oglala’, director Michael Apted recounts the experiences he had while exploring this area during the years. 70 visited. Themes such as the discovery of uranium, disease among the Indians from irradiated water and the ongoing struggle between the Indians and the GOONs are described in his documentary. It also reveals the FBI’s support for the GOONs by supplying weapons. The character Jimmy Looks Twice is based on Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who was falsely accused of the murder of two FBI agents during this time. It’s strange when you consider that these things have been nothing but the stark reality. At the same time it releases a kind of guilt, a feeling of guilt towards the original inhabitants of America. Not for nothing was ‘Thunderheart’ twice nominated for a PFS (Political Film Society) Award in 1993, one of which was nominated in the category ‘Human rights’. Another important theme in the film: Ray Levoi’s inner struggle. Ray, a fast boy FBI agent, has built up an impressive track record. He is a quarter blood Sioux Indian. However, he buried that lineage together with his father, who drank himself to death before his eyes. Precisely because of his origin, he is chosen to solve a number of murders in the Indian reservation. His Sioux background should make contact with the Indians easier, but nothing could be further from the truth. Ray, out of shame, takes a superior and arrogant attitude towards the Indians.

Chewing gum and covering his eyes with a thick Ray-Ban, he makes his way through the investigation. Contact with the Indians is difficult, but it is the same Indians that make Ray doubt his opinion about his origin. Is it his origin that he has to oppose? The inner struggle is beautiful, partly due to excellent acting by Val Kilmer, who plays the role of Ray Levoi excellently. Funny detail: Kilmer is a quarter-blood Cherokee himself. Sam Shepard as Frank Coutelle and Graham Greene as Walter Crow Horse also play their roles well. Perhaps most notable is the acting performance of Ted Thin Elk, who debuts in the film industry at the age of 72 as Grandpa Reaches and does so with verve. It is the same Ted Thin Elk, among others, who makes ‘Thunderheart’ the film it is: a film with a slightly mystical, oppressive atmosphere. It’s hard to name one thing that creates this vibe, but at least Ted Thin Elk has a part in it. In addition, it is a combination of the setting, the music and the story situations such as flashbacks, dreams and visions. Especially the music by two-time Oscar winner James Horner (‘Titanic’) contributes a lot to that mystical atmosphere. Furthermore, it is the society of the Indians that still has something mysterious to us, because in general we are not or hardly familiar with this culture. In summary, the atmosphere is one that will stay with us for a while.

‘Thunderheart’ is mistakenly a forgotten film. The story is based on true events: the exploitation and injustice of a population group. The film has all the facets a good thriller needs. The exciting, intelligent plot and the pace of the film ensure that you remain captivated until the climax. It is also the atmosphere that contributes to this and that you will remember the film for a long time to come. ‘Thunderheart’ is definitely worth watching; several times too…