Thunderheart, 1992.
Directed by Michael Apted.
Starring Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard, Graham Greene, and Fred Ward.
SYNOPSIS:
Michael Apted’s 1992 film Thunderheart gets its 4K Ultra HD debut, and it’s a worthwhile purchase for fans, although the bonus features are lacking. In addition to a code for a digital copy, you’ll find a commentary track with writer John Fusco and an archival featurette, which are better than nothing, I suppose.
It’s easy to lapse into one-dimensional thinking when telling a story that focuses on any minority group, especially when that tale tries to lay bare injustices that have been committed against them. But what a movie like Michael Apted’s 1992 release Thunderheart shows is that minority groups are, of course, full of shades of gray, just like any other slice of humanity.
Set in an undetermined year in the late 1970s, Thunderheart stars Val Kilmer as FBI agent Ray Levoi, who has mixed Sioux heritage and is tapped to help fellow agent Frank “Cooch” Coutelle (Sam Shepard) investigate the murder of a tribal council member on a reservation.
Ray is uninterested in using his genetic make-up to ingratiate himself with the Native Americans on the reservation, where a civil war has been brewing between the Aboriginal Rights Movement (ARM), who want to free their people by any means necessary, and those who want to work with the US government.
Cooch has narrowed his suspect list down to activist and schoolteacher Maggie Eagle Bear (Sheila Tousey), who left the reservation to earn a college degree and returned to help ARM’s cause, and ARM leader Jimmy Looks Twice (John Trudell). Graham Greene also stars as Walter Crow Horse, a tribal police officer who’s suspicious of both agents.
As Cooch and Ray carry out their investigation, a wedge grows between them when Ray begins to suspect that outsiders have gotten involved in tribal politics and are trying to cover their tracks. Ray also begins to embrace his Native American heritage and becomes friendly with Walter Crow Horse, who relies on old techniques, such as gleaning information from nuances in a footprint, to help the investigation.
In the end, Thunderheart is one of those films that may not have been at the top of many request lists for movies on the 4K Ultra HD format but is nonetheless deserving of the distinction. My understanding is that this is the same 4K transfer used for Sony’s 2024 Blu-ray edition of the film, which means it takes full advantage of a 2160p experience.
This is a movie that was shot the old school way, of course, and it looks like it here. There’s a fair amount of grain in the image, which is expected, and the details are sharp and clear. Director of photography Roger Deakins really highlighted the South Dakota landscape in his shots, and that element comes through perfectly in the image quality.
You also get a code for a digital copy (there’s no Blu-ray disc found here), along with a couple archival bonus features. No new extras were commissioned here, but maybe if this disc sells well, Sony might create a more elaborate edition eventually, although I’m sure that’s a longshot in today’s home video marketplace.
Writer John Fusco is the sole participant in the commentary track included here, and he kicks off his chat by revealing that he and director Michael Apted recorded an as-yet-unreleased commentary for the film. I’m not sure why it wasn’t included here, but maybe it will see the light of day eventually. At any rate, this track is a solid look back on the making of the film by someone who did a lot of research into the subject matter and can thus speak to more than the production itself.
You’ll also find an old school featurette that runs just under 12 minutes and features various comments with members of the cast and crew. Nothing special there, but it’s better than nothing. The theatrical trailer rounds out the platter.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Brad Cook
