War Party **** (1988, Billy Wirth, Kevin Dillon, Tim Sampson) – Classic Movie Review 6482

Director Franc Roddam’s worthy 1989 movie for Hemdale is a modern-day cowboys and Indians saga that starts with the death of a white man during a 100-year anniversary re-enactment of a Blackfeet Indian massacre by the US Cavalry.

It ends with four Native American youths (including Billy Wirth as Sonny Crowkiller and Kevin Dillon as Skitty Harris [‘Hey, I’m three-eighths’]) heading for the hills pursued by vigilantes led by Colin Ditweiler (M Emmet Walsh).

An interesting idea is extremely well and most sympathetically developed, with a Native American protagonist, fresh young actors, bursts of action, and an empathetic look at the plight of America’s underdog and racial prejudice.

Also in the cast are Tim Sampson, Jimmie Ray Weeks, Dennis Banks, Bill McKinney as The Mayor, Jerry Hardin as The Sheriff, William Frankfather as The Governor, R.D. Call, Guy Boyd, Tantoo Cardinal and Kevyn Major Howard.

It is written by Spencer Eastman, shot by Brian Tufano, produced by John Daly and Derek Gibson, scored by Chaz Jankel and designed by Michael Bingham. It was filmed on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6482

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