For 1988? Mad mad props.
Added 5/31/2009
Probably the first high-budget NDN film, War Party was really a first in many ways. It stepped past the whole "let's portray Native people positively for once" hurdle and went straight to "let's portray Native people as people for once." I wish I knew more of the story behind this script and production; all I know is that 1) Billy Wirth campaigned to get his role (which makes me wonder if they originally wanted to cast a more Indian Indian) and 2) the screenwriter died before the post-production was complete. So I don't know what the original vision was or what inspired it.
I must say, I have no idea how they got the money from a studio to make this...unless I'm underestimating the teen fans of Billy Wirth via The Lost Boys {possibly on par with how Twilight fans are flocking to see indie films featuring the two lead actors} at the time that probably carried it at the box office. And the ample money shows--even though the script was strong and most of the acting was quite good--the incredible production design, amazing [and expensive] photography, stunts/FX (like that awesome pre-CGI explosion), etc went far to make the sharply unconventional story so believable (once you suspend disbelief, of course). Black comedy + high drama + high quality production + gorgeous Montana location... The script is great (with some truly hilarious lines), the conflict is palpable, and the weird storyline really, amazingly works--as long as you watch the film for what it was/is.
I recently heard a mixed review from more recent viewers on the younger side who couldn't relate to the fantasy element of the story and could not get past the whole "that would never happen" thing. They felt that it wasn't `realistic' rez life conflict, and then I heard a teacher who was upset about `the message' conveyed by one of the twists in the plot. When it comes down to it, though, I think that if you don't appreciate the fact that the plot has a fantasy/experimental edge to it and that some of the scenes are *supposed* to be on the surreal side--or its black comedy elements--you're going to see a very different film altogether, and that film won't work so long as you're stuck outside the story and trying to deconstruct it. And while I don't want to give any spoilers, I do have to say that if you miss the whole unique `what if' fantasy nature of the entire plot, you'll miss the point of the ending--which is not meant to be romantic or melodramatic. I felt it was meant to provoke, not preach. I've heard that there was an alternative ending shot, but I'm glad it didn't go there.
It got shredded by critics when it came out for being `irresponsible' since the film didn't offer [patronizing] solutions for racial harmony (?!), but I would say that this in itself shows what the film succeeded in doing--its sheer craziness leaves viewers (so long as you accept the premise, of course) with a bunch of compelling questions and makes you think. It also failed to provide the typical alternative to the anti-Indian Western: a melodrama of the noble savage, and I guess that made people uncomfortable. It was something new altogether, and didn't tell you what to think. And there were few predictable character sketches, where stock characters played certain roles according to the script that you would have expected from a film about contemporary ndns. What I appreciated most is that there was really no objectifying even though many of the characters were . Many of the characters were complex and very few were 2-dimensional. You had everyone from a whiskey-chugging medicine man to a butt-kissing tribal council chair to a wimpy bounty tracker you can't bring yourself to hate--all of who *could* have been thin, lame characters--but instead felt unique. There were so many little character details that would have been cut from a standard Hollywood script that really made such an outwardly sensationalistic conflict truly complex and not black-and-white. What's more, you find yourself questioning each new turn of the plot, where you think you have it down and then realize that were this blown-out-of-proportion conflict to be translated into another context, you'd have it wrong. And somehow the film never got heavy-handed or in love with itself.
My only complaint: there is no way on earth that Dennis Banks and Tantoo Cardinal produced Billy Wirth, even in his heavy metal makeup (granted, they made a 1/8 dude look like a 1/2 blood dude (albeit half of the time)...but the makeup people should have at least tried to make Tantoo look part white if they were going to cast a big-part white dude. And Kevin Dillon, whose character is supposed to be [hilariously so] "3/8ths" Cheyenne is about 8/8ths Irish. But it's a small complaint considering that they both were really great in their roles once they settled in, and I can't imagine someone else carrying Kevin's awesome cheese factor (you know, that mostly white mixed dude who's more militant than the full bloods), which he totally makes work.
P.S. I have to point out that this was Saginaw Grant's first film, and he's pretty much awesome in it. He's genius enough that he makes this scene where he's laughing at a burning...erm...flag truly funny. Technically black comedy, but he had me cracking up in a great way...it was like "Vindication, yo!" (you have to see it to see what I mean).
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I'd love to see this with the "alternate" ending!
Added 9/30/2002
It is my understanding that this movie was filmed with another ending, which was in the original script. The "other" ending has the Governor surrendering to the Tribe. Of course, it ended up on the editing room floor. How about a DVD with this ending? Are you listening Corporate America?
10 out of 14 people found this helpful.
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Entertaining
Added 12/7/2001
A friendly reinactment of a battle between the Indians and the Colonists at a festival in Montana goes wrong when one Indian was deliberatly shot and killed. After that happens, all hell breaks loose! I wont spoil the rest here. Good movie.
5 out of 8 people found this helpful.
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Compelling
Added 10/5/2001
Although not the best Billy Wirth or Kevin Dillon movie around, WAR PARTY is a good addition to most anyone's collection. Set on a desolate reservation town, it's main theme revolves around racial prejudice, as well as pride. Love and family ties into the plot to some degree, and there are several frames of beautiful scenery. And, although the script seems to drag a bit at times, the un-Hollywood finale is well worth the wait!
8 out of 9 people found this helpful.
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