In 1876, George Custer’s forces are defeated by Sitting Bull (August Schellenberg) and his warriors, but the assimilation of the Indian tribes will soon end their resistance. A well-financed TV movie about one of America’s darkest chapters, depicting the era from the battle of Little Bighorn to the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre. The focus lies on Sitting Bull’s stubborn refusal to adapt to life in the reservation, Senator Dawes’s well-meaning but patronizing attempts to civilize Indians, and a young Sioux Indian’s ultimate assimilation. An interesting depiction of a humiliating period, but there’s a distinct lack of outstanding performances.
2007-U.S. Made for TV. 133 min. Color. Directed by Yves Simoneau. Book: Dee Brown. Cast: Aidan Quinn (Henry Dawes), Adam Beach (Charles Eastman), August Schellenberg (Sitting Bull), Anna Paquin, J.K. Simmons, Eric Schweig… Fred Dalton Thompson.
Emmy: Outstanding TV Movie.
AVERAGE