Crazy Horse (1996)

Michael Greyeyes plays Crazy Horse in this TNT biography of the famous Lakota chief.

As a youth, he appears destined for greatest, though his own prophesy shows he might die at the hands of his own people.

And he gains acclaim as a warrior by showing bravery in battle, first against the Shoshone in 1958, not the whites.

He’s eventually bestowed the honor of a shirt wearer by seniors of the Sioux tribe, given the responsibility of protecting his people.

When whites begin encroaching on Sioux land, he teaches the tribe’s warriors to fight as a unit.

That helps them achieve victory over the whites at the Fetterman Massacre and again at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

But while other Sioux chiefs recognize the futility of continuing a war against the whites, Crazy Horse refuses to believe his way of life is coming to an end.

And in spite of his popularity, he’s often a loner among his people, always haunted by that childhood prophesy.

Michael Greyeyes as Crazy Horse, gaining acclaim as a warrior in Crazy Horse (1996)

Wes Studi as Red Cloud, trying to get Crazy Horse to see the wisdom of peace in Crazy Horse (1996)

Review:

The two big battle scenes are well filmed. The rest of the film is less impressive, in part because it tries to cover too much ground in too little time.

So we’re told Crazy Horse is affected by the death of his best friend and his daughter, but we barely get to meet the other people in his life, so the deaths have no impact on the viewer.

One exception is Black Buffalo Woman, his first wife. She’s married off to another man with higher standing in the tribe.

But Crazy Horse soon surpasses her husband’s accomplishments and takes her for his own, though he’s eventually forced to give her back to keep peace in the tribe.

Peter Horton plays Custer, who’s wounded in the first volley of fire against his troops in this version of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Wes Studi plays Red Cloud, a chief far more willing to negotiate with the whites than Crazy Horse.

Irene Bedard as Black Buffalo Woman, Crazy Horse’s first love in Crazy Horse (1996)

Sheri Foster as Black Shawl, Crazy Horse’s second wife, urging him to stop grieving in Crazy Horse (1996)

Directed by:
John Irvin

Cast:
Michael Greyeyes … Crazy Horse
Lorne Cardinal … Young Man Afraid
John Finn … General Crook
Jimmy Herman … Conquering Bear
Steve Reevis … He Dog
Larry Sellers … Spotted Tail
Gordon Tootoosis … Akicita
Sheldon Wolfchild … Worm
Irene Bedard … Black Buffalo Woman
Sheri Foster … Black Shawl
Peter Horton … Gen. Custer
Zahn McClarnon … Little Big Man
August Schellenberg … Sitting Bull
Wes Studi … Red Cloud
J.C. White Shirt … Wyuse
Ned Beatty … Dr. McGillicuddy
Terry Big Charles … Young Crazy Horse (aka Curly)

Sheldon Wolfchild as Worm, Crazy Horse’s father, delivering sad news in Crazy Horse (1996)

Peter Horton as George Armstrong Custer, sharing news of a gold strike in Crazy Horse (1996)

Memorable lines:

Watch out. It’s that strange warrior, Crazy Horse.
What do you think he’s hunting now?

Crazy Horse: “Unless the Lakota learn to take orders and fight together, we will never win.”
“If we learn to fight like soldiers, what difference will it make if we win? We will cease to be Lakota.”

Red Cloud: “You’re young. Fighting is everything to you. But you have no idea what we’re up against. I road the iron horse to Washington. For five days, I road through their towns and cities. They are endless.”
Custer: “They’re a brave people. But their time has passed. History moves on.”
Narrator: “From that moment, Crazy Horse was haunted by death. To him, death wore a white face.”

Custer: “Caught them napping. We’ve got them.”

Crazy Horse: “I swore to protect my people.”
Sitting Bull: “You cannot protect them if you’re dead. You killed Custer, my friend. You’ll never be safe in this country.”

Michael Greyeyes as Crazy Horse, confronted with the possibility of being locked up in Crazy Horse (1996)

Terry Big Charles as young Crazy Horse in Crazy Horse (1996)