Thunderheart, Movie Review Example

The film Thunderheart offers a unique character study of the culture of American Indians and the investigation of a murder that took place on a Native American reservation in the 1970s. The film provides a glimpse into the FBI, the government, and the Native American culture as they clash and cause significant tension within the community. This film represents the challenge of handling a crime in a small town where there is great camaraderie and support among local residents, juxtaposed with the shock and horror of murder within the community and how it impacts their lives. The film also reveals many details in regards to pro versus anti-government tactics and their influence on this community and its people. The topic of cultural awareness and assimilation will be addressed in the following paragraphs with respect to this film and its impact on cultural identity.

Thunderheart explores the experiences of a man with Sioux heritage and familiarity with the culture, as he investigates a murder (TCM). The cultural challenges of Native Americans are explored in great detail in order for the viewer to obtain a greater sense of the issues that this culture experienced in their daily lives, including their conflicts with the U.S. political system (TCM). In particular, many members of the political system in the United States are White males and do not understand or are readily willing to accept other cultures and their experiences, thereby creating a significant divide between cultures and the so-called supreme views of the White man (Coates 56). From this perspective, White males dominate not only the U.S. political system, but also law enforcement and other organizations that govern the whole of society and its people (Coates 56). These considerations are significant within the film because many non-White cultures have become sensitized to the actions of Whites, and in particular, White males, and take their actions very seriously (Coates 56). For example, Native Americans represent a unique component of society and deserve every chance and opportunity to make something of themselves; however, they are perceived as less than equal and are not given the respect that they deserve (Coates 56).

The experiences of Native Americans represent a symptom of a much larger condition in the United States: urban sprawl and the loss of sacred land to the growth of urban areas (Macionis and Parrillo 110). These conditions also represented a loss of civilization as it was once known for many Native Americans, whose claim to their land became much smaller, and that which was preserved was treated with disdain and disrespect by government and the political system as a whole (Macionis and Parrillo 110). From this perspective, the expansion of urban areas into suburbia and metropolitan conglomerates has been instrumental in limiting the power and strength of Native Americans, many of whom have been left behind and face critical challenges that are difficult to overcome. It is important to consider that the loss of historical artifacts and key cultural identifiers has been largely relevant in the plight of Native Americans and the treatment that they have received by the federal, state, and local governments in limiting their cultural identity and freedom (Macionis and Parrillo 114). The film examines this loss of cultural identity and the significant disconnect that occurs when Native Americans are largely misunderstood, misinformed, and mistreated by the power of modern government (TCM).

The power expressed by different forms of government is largely influential in the actions taking place on Native American reservations in the United States, such as that depicted in the film, as it considers the power and impact of government and areas of corruption as they impact the lives of Native Americans (TCM). However, the clash of cultures, the protection of basic freedoms, and the issues related to urban politics and the actions that take place that prevent these freedoms require critical examination (Mollenkopf 220). In this context, it is important to identify the restrictions placed on the Native American culture as a consequence of the urban political system and the impact that these activities have on the reservation and its people (Mollenkopf 220). It is important to recognize the limited influence of the Native American culture on modern society, as they often appear to be a forgotten population with limited influence and impact on society as a whole. This is a difficult concept to contend with because their treatment in many aspects has been vile and unacceptable as provided by a predominantly White male government. However, additional considerations must be made to explore this culture and its influences on society because education regarding the culture may make the difference in the perceptions that are often evident across other cultures in regards to Native Americans. This population is largely misunderstood and does not possess the clout or acceptance that is necessary to protect the people and their way of life.

The film attempts to convey the importance of recognizing the Native American culture and the devastating impact of not only the murder on the reservation, but also the issues that this culture experienced at the hands of government (TCM). The strength of a predominantly White political system forced the hand of many Native Americans to submit to the poor treatment provided by this system and its overall negative impact on their lives, in many ways similar to the treatment afforded to African Americans (Coates 57). In these instances, cultural identity was not respected nor revered and the people of this culture did not receive the attention, the resources, or the respect that they deserved (Coates 57). In some ways, White politicians during this era might have believed that the Native Americans did not deserve their land or that they would have to work for what they believed in (Coates 57). This perception was evident throughout the Native American culture and the distrust of American politicians was substantial (Coates 57).

The film Thunderheart attempts to bridge disconnect between the Native Americans whose lives were disrupted by tragedy. Recognizing the importance of different cultures and the customs that are relevant within those cultures must be explored in order to provide the necessary respect and understanding of their importance. The film addresses these concepts as a means of addressing the issues that modern governments create when they lack respect and understanding of cultural identity and its importance within a given community. The film’s efforts to understand these differences is explored through the eyes of its main character in order to identify how government corruption and political power have interfered with lives of many people in communities throughout the United States. At the same time when these individuals require government support or assistance in any form, it is often not available and their needs are either misrepresented or lack support altogether. This is true in the eyes of many Native Americans as the film depicts and thereby introduces a new level of distrust and lack of support for government and politics. The film conveys an important message regarding politics and urban expansion, all at the expense of the Native American culture and its smaller communities. The film also explores the different dimensions of corruption within the political system and within government in order to convey how many cultures are treated when the dominant culture strives for superiority. In this context, the film’s depiction of Native Americans is relevant because it captures the attention of the viewer and promotes the importance of cultural assimilation within communities.

Works Cited

Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “’This is How We Lost to the White Man’.” The Atlantic 2008: 52-62.

Macionis, John J., and Vincent N. Parrillo. Cities and Urban Life, Third Edition. Prentice Hall, 2003. Print.

Mollenkopf, John. A Phoenix in the Ashes: The Rise and Fall of the Koch Coalition in New York City Politics. Princeton University Press, 1994. Print.

Turner Classic Movies. “Thunderheart.” 6 November 2013: http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article.html?isPreview=&id=296716|296736&name=Thunderheart