One hundred years after the Battle of Milk River, both sides agree to reenact it. The cavalry are supposed to shoot blanks & the Indians weren't supposed to fight back....
Direction
Roddam turns a reenactment into genuine siege horror.
Acting
Dillon and Wirth sell desperation without Hollywood heroics.
Director
Franc Roddam
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made during the 1988 centennial of the Wounded Knee massacre, the film was barely released—studios feared its political rawness would alienate audiences.
The Blackfeet Nation crew members reportedly rewrote dialogue to make the Native characters' resistance feel authentic rather than scripted victimhood.