Graham-Greene Movie Reviews

"Broken Chain" is a decent made-for-cable movie essentially about the difficult decisions to be made by the Six Nations of the Iroqouis during the late 18th century as white settlers expanded into the New York frontier. It also shows the complex and fragile relationship that existed between the native tribes and their English allies as the American colonies rose up in rebellion against the crown. Symbolizing this relationship are two Mohawks, Thayendanega (Eric Schweig), the famous Iroqouis war chief known as Joseph Brandt who allied with the British during the Revolution and led a number of daring and bloody raids along the New York and Pennsylvania frontier, and his blood brother, Lohaheo, an intelligent and conflicted leader who tries in vain to keep his people neutral in the hope that it will preserve the Confederacy of the Six Nations and save the lives and land of his people in the face of total war.

After fighting against the French during the Seven Years War under the guidance of Sir William Johnson (Pierce Brosnan), an Englishman who genuinely admires the Iroquois, but who is only too eager to manipulate them for the purposes of the Crown, the Mohawks soon find themselves caught in the middle of the American Revolution, with both sides hoping to lure the powerful Confederacy to their cause. While Lohaheo urges neutrality, Brant joins the Britsh and fights with great ferocity against the Americans at Oriskany and Wyomissing. The two must face an uncertain future for their people and struggle to save a way of life whose existence is threatened by the people with and against whom they fight.

This is a good stab at a movie that brings this period of our history to life and tells a story that is too often ignored, not just the history of the Eastern Frontier, but the important role played by the Six Nations in the history of America.

"The Broken Chain" portrays a time when the Six Nations of the Iroquois were struggling for their land and their very survival. Two brothers find themselves on opposite sides--one as tribal leader tries to preserve peace among the Confederation, and the other allies himself with the British, placing his trust in their protective power. Eric Schweig gives a well-rounded performance as Joseph Brandt, the brother who adopts British ways, only to bring his people to ruin. Buffy Sainte-Marie shines as the wise tribal matriarch who does her best to warn her people against the encroaching tide of dishonest white settlers. Pierce Brosnan hams it up as William Johnson, the white friend of the Indians in early years and later their betrayer.
The film is educational, though plodding at times. Worth watching to understand how much our American government owes to the Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and other native peoples for its principles of democracy and equality.

This piece is long overdue. Every western, period piece of the "frontiers" depicts the Native Americans as a threat, and a menace.
This piece dispells this myth. The Iroquois were people just trying to hang on to what they had. Between the French, British, and Colonists, they were stripped of land no one owned, pushed around by the people they helped, and forced into situations that they were not equippted to handle.
The Mohawk, Onodaga, Onieda, Cayuga, Seneca, and eventually the Tuscarora all wanted what was best for everyone. But due to poor advice, mostly from the British, they lost everything, including a government that was started long before the whites,
and quite a bit of which was used to form the Declaration of Independance.
Indians did not start out as threats and menaces, this movie shows why they were perceived that way. They only wanted what they believed was theirs. Wouldn't you do the same thing?

What do the male leads in this 1986 mystery/intrigue sleeper have in common? If you answered, "They both are veterans of the 4077," (Elliott Gould in the movie and Mike Farrell in the subsequent TV series) you win the Kewpie Doll! Oops! Sorry! The prizes have disappeared!

Farrell is Harry Kenyon, newlywed honeymooning in a quaint Rockies village. But the new Mrs. Kenyon has disappeared. Or has she? Gould is the Police Lieutenant on the case who would much rather be back home in NYC. There's also Fred Gwynne as the Priest who not only cannot find Car 54, but appears unfamiliar with Saint Thomas Aquinas - and the Super Margot Kidder, apparently having an identity crisis pre-dating her recent confusion in Beverly Hills.

The beginning of this film reminded me a little of the later quirky "Fargo" especially Lt. Rudameyer's preoccupation with that Deli sandwich. But at least the folks in Fargo know how to drive on winter roads. What WAS San Franciscan Kenyon thinking driving like that?

This movie is an excellent film adaptation of a 1965 play by Richard Thomas, "Catch Me If You Can". The characters are well-defined and the suspense is first-rate. I have seen it twice on television, but never thought to tape it. I would love to be able to spend $89.98 for it, but unfortunately, that's too rich for my blood. Good luck in finding it in a rental store!

This thriller is taut and suspensful, almost electric with intensity, and with all of its star players practically at the top of their form. Here is "poor hard-luck Harry" Kenyon whose wife has disapeared and apparently the only policeman (Lt. Rudimeyer) in town available to investigate it would rather be left alone eating his kosher corned beef sandwich from a deli on west 87th street, New York.

But then comes this woman (with a little help from "Fr. Maklin") who claims to be the missing wife (Christine Prescott Kenyon) and seems to know everything about her, and to somehow be able to anticipate each and every possible evidence Harry would put forth to prove to to Lt. Rudimeyer that this woman is not the real Christine Kenyon. How does she do it? She knows where they met, where they married, what they argued over the night she disappeared, where his friend whose cabin the newlywed were borrowing for their honeymoon keeps his booze, seems to have half of Philadelphia on her payroll, and even the dog seems to know her. Of course that last is explained by one of the funniest fictional characters ever filmed, a veterinary disciple of Sigmund Freud ("If fleas are your problem, look elsewhere!").

For best enjoyment of this intense yet chess-match-like battle of wits, stop the film once Harry Kenyon practically breaks into the bank after Lt. Rudimeyer allows the Bank manager to her "Christine" the check and they start arguing, and review the film. Try to think of all the different things Harry could have done to convince Rudimeyer. (One could almost make a video game out of this...) Then see it straight through to the end, which will come as a total surprise, managing to change and explain everything in an astonishingly short time. Incredible the different interpretations one can put on the exact same series of events. Then wind it back and it is amazing how many clues were there all along (no, the ending is not some tacked-on bit thought of at the last second, no matter how much it may seem so at first). And see who well any of your ideas for Harry would have worked.

I liked this film so much I bit the bullet and paid the $... price for it, the only rental-price-only video I ever bought new. Now, if only there could be more films which are that clever...

Despite the positive light shed on the Native American culture,the white mountain folks are grossly stereotyped.The moonshining industry depicted in East Tennesee is true to life...it's just a shame that the main character Little Tree is shown actively learning this trade and working in it as a child 8-10 years old. With a few changes, this movie could have been true G-rated family fare.as a native American,I would still highly recomend the movie,but not for under 12 years old.It could not be shown in schools in most localities.

Like another movie I recently watched and commented upon, "The Education Of Little Tree", is not a five star film, but it becomes one when its message is included. James Cromwell, Tantoo Cardinal, Joseph Ashton, Mika Boorem, and Graham Greene all give wonderful performances. Joseph and Mika are both young children, so their performances are all the more worthy of praise.

The Native Americans that are included in this film are The Cherokee People, and their story, including, "The Trail Of Tears", play a prominent role. Like other Native Americans, The Cherokee lived without destroying the land and the wildlife they coexisted with. They only used what they needed, greed did not drive them to exploit nature and destroy her, as we and our ancestors have, and continue to do.

The movie is beautifully filmed in the mountains of Tennessee, and the director took the time to capture the natural beauty that European settlers were to exploit and ruin. It's true some of this beauty still exists, but is largely because it has become national parkland, rather than having been left unmolested out of respect for its intrinsic value. Poignant moments are frequent in this film, and one is certainly when a young boy who is half Cherokee is sent off to a Dickensian nightmare of a school to be abused because of his, "Indian Blood". Upon his arrival he is stripped of his Native American name and given an, "American replacement", Joshua. It appears that biblical names were originally written for re-naming true Americans.

Graham Greene is a familiar face to many moviegoers and he is a pleasure to watch in this film. Tantoo Cardinal who plays the role of the young boy's Cherokee grandmother is also wonderful.

The movie does not resolve its tale on a completely happy note, nor one of complete despair. As it has in real life, time has shown all that was lost when Genocide was carried out against Native Americans as federal government policy. Had good judgment, and lack of stupefying greed worked to integrate the newcomers to this country with the natives that were here, I have little doubt our country would be better for it, and the facts of the country's history would not include the genocide of those people we deemed to be in our way.

this movie is wonderful educating when you learn thatan
8 year old boy has to live in 1930;s living in 2 worlds
the indian and the other world people the grandparents
who taught him the old and the new way...please watch it
youwill not be dissapointed

Jessica Tandy and Bridget Fonda find themselves on an unlikely buddy adventure when they team up to get away from it all. The movie is funny, touching and just a lot of fun. Not an award-winner but certainly a fun time. If you just want a feel-good movie that will make you smile, this one's for you!

The film is a tribute to the wisdom and the forgiving nature of an aging mother(Jessica Tandy)who has been kept apart, by choice, from the embrace of the man she has loved by her unwillingness to challenge the selfishness of her coddled son and only child.

Her lover was portrayed by her off screen husband(Cronin)whose closing dialog was rendered bitersweet by the subsequent passing of the persona of Miss Daisy snd Ninny Threadgood.

An adeptation of a story written by a Canadian author takes the viewer on the delightful voyage of higher learning of two unlikely traveling companions. (Bridget Fonda)accompanies "Camilla" on a trip that begins in a grove of moss covered vines on a sprawling Georgia Plantation and returns her heart to a small flat near Niagra Falls.

The plot twists and turns through art imitating life situations that are familiar and amusing. If you are a Jessica Tandy fan it's a must see, if only to bid her a fond farewell and.

Two children, and two single women struggle to survive after their stagecoach is ambushed; Gunslinger Vivian Schilling should have shot the painfully dreadful Singer Charlotte Ross to move the film up to five stars. Otherwise, great cast, great script and a lot of fun.

My kids really like Savage Land, and know just about every line of dialogue, as well as all of the lyrics to the songs performed by the Kansas City Thrush. Charming kids, very likable female leads, and a good bunch of funny bad guys makes this film very accessible and enjoyable for family entertainment. Can't wait for the DVD version, and hope there will be some bonus features (hint-hint?)

Two children, and two single women struggle to survive after their stagecoach is ambushed; Gunslinger Vivian Schilling should have shot the painfully dreadful Singer Charlotte Ross to move the film up to five stars. Otherwise, great cast, great script and a lot of fun.

My kids really like Savage Land, and know just about every line of dialogue, as well as all of the lyrics to the songs performed by the Kansas City Thrush. Charming kids, very likable female leads, and a good bunch of funny bad guys makes this film very accessible and enjoyable for family entertainment. Can't wait for the DVD version, and hope there will be some bonus features (hint-hint?)

Two children, and two single women struggle to survive after their stagecoach is ambushed; Gunslinger Vivian Schilling should have shot the painfully dreadful Singer Charlotte Ross to move the film up to five stars. Otherwise, great cast, great script and a lot of fun.

My kids really like Savage Land, and know just about every line of dialogue, as well as all of the lyrics to the songs performed by the Kansas City Thrush. Charming kids, very likable female leads, and a good bunch of funny bad guys makes this film very accessible and enjoyable for family entertainment. Can't wait for the DVD version, and hope there will be some bonus features (hint-hint?)

This is a great portrayel of Billy Mills. The details of the movie are not the best(such as the football lines in the Olympic stadium). Robby Benson studied Billy Mills as well as worked with Mills to get the character down pat. He also trained for and ran a marathon to actually learn how to run like Mills. The story does a great job through flashbacks of telling of Mills' life growing up. It is a very inspirational story that I show my cross country teams. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be inspired.

The beauty of sport is when an athlete overcomes great obstacles with courage and determination. This is what Billy Mills does and it's a story all Americans should know and treasure. The story of someone's life is very difficult to capture in a 90 minute video, but this movie portrays the circumstances and happenings of a great man and an inspiration. I watched that movie countless times, including the night before the state championship in cross country. I used to hear the drumming Sioux music from the races during my races. Running Brave became my movie and Billy Mills was my hero as I faced the uncertainty of adolescence and won the state championship.

A movie based on the life of Olympic runner Billy Mills. His love for running everywhere drew him into a dream to run in the Olympics. Billy's dream wrapped itself around the hearts of his people on the reservation which made him even more determined to run, and to win. There is a realistic difference in Billy's life on the reservation and his life in college which is not only shown starkly by the scenes, but also in Billy's thoughts, actions and reactions. I recommend this movie for people of all nationalities and ages.

I just saw this film at the Native American Museum in New York during it's premiere in this city. It's an amazing film. Darker and more thought provoking than Smoke Signals, it still maintains the sense of humor so characteristic of Chris Eyre's work. The story takes place in Pine Ridge County, SD, which is, as we quickly learn from the film, the poorest county in the United States. It is also Oglala Lakota Indian reservation. The film is shot on location, with all the starkness of the surroundings carefully exposed. The narrative revolves around two brothers. Rudy (Eric Schweig) is a cop and a vigilante, who is using legal and extra-legal means to help his community. Moggy (Graham Greene) is a triple Purple Heart Vietnam veteran and a chronic alcoholic who tries to maintain a sense of humor in face of misery and depression. Deep love between the brothers serves as the backbone of the plot. Things get out of hand when Rudy's vigilantism causes Moggy's suffering. Chris Eyre employs both tragic and comic elements to give the film a fresh and unique dynamic. And a provocative ending.

Graham Greene was cast in the role of a Lakota (Sioux) Shaman in "Dances with Wolves" with Kevin Costner. The chemistry between Graham and Kevin made the movie what it was, a classic tale about Native Americans. They were a magnificent culture that was crushed needlessly by the migration of Whites to the west. Hundreds of treaties were made and then broken by greedy Whites, resulting in numerous reservations. Graham plays "Mogie" in the movie "Skins," and once again there is the same chemistry between Graham and the lead role of Rudy Yellow Lodge, played by Eric Schweig. Both roles are played in a compelling manner. It is the type of gutsey, independent, outside of Hollywood films that I love. Mogie is a decorated Viet Nam veteran in process of drinking himself to death on what is called the "rez," the Pine Ridge Reservation next to Mount Rushmore and the Custer Monument. Reservation life involves harsh poverty, high unemployment, substance abuse and .... worse yet, Lakota versus Lakota violence. The uncomfortable question this movie poses to its audience is what do you do to rehabilitate a once noble culture after a crushing history of genocide. Or more to the point, support a culture to rehabilitate itself. Lakota actors and actresses making Lakota theme movies is an important step in the right direction.Despite the lack of "polish" afforded to high budget Hollywood movies, I would give "Skins" five stars on pure guts alone. It is a statement the wider White culture desperately needs to consider. The statement is well worth the five stars also. America would do well to learn from such people of the earth who have lived in oneness with nature without pollution for thousands of years. Whatever Graham wants to dance with or wallow in for future movies will probably be well worth the price, as he is a veteran actor at the top of his game. I am also hoping to see Eric again in similar movies.

I absolutely loved this film. A gripping story that will leave you thinking about the characters days after you've seen the film. Sad, yet still uplifting and inspirational.

I just saw this film at the Native American Museum in New York during it's premiere in this city. It's an amazing film. Darker and more thought provoking than Smoke Signals, it still maintains the sense of humor so characteristic of Chris Eyre's work. The story takes place in Pine Ridge County, SD, which is, as we quickly learn from the film, the poorest county in the United States. It is also Oglala Lakota Indian reservation. The film is shot on location, with all the starkness of the surroundings carefully exposed. The narrative revolves around two brothers. Rudy (Eric Schweig) is a cop and a vigilante, who is using legal and extra-legal means to help his community. Moggy (Graham Greene) is a triple Purple Heart Vietnam veteran and a chronic alcoholic who tries to maintain a sense of humor in face of misery and depression. Deep love between the brothers serves as the backbone of the plot. Things get out of hand when Rudy's vigilantism causes Moggy's suffering. Chris Eyre employs both tragic and comic elements to give the film a fresh and unique dynamic. And a provocative ending.

Graham Greene was cast in the role of a Lakota (Sioux) Shaman in "Dances with Wolves" with Kevin Costner. The chemistry between Graham and Kevin made the movie what it was, a classic tale about Native Americans. They were a magnificent culture that was crushed needlessly by the migration of Whites to the west. Hundreds of treaties were made and then broken by greedy Whites, resulting in numerous reservations. Graham plays "Mogie" in the movie "Skins," and once again there is the same chemistry between Graham and the lead role of Rudy Yellow Lodge, played by Eric Schweig. Both roles are played in a compelling manner. It is the type of gutsey, independent, outside of Hollywood films that I love. Mogie is a decorated Viet Nam veteran in process of drinking himself to death on what is called the "rez," the Pine Ridge Reservation next to Mount Rushmore and the Custer Monument. Reservation life involves harsh poverty, high unemployment, substance abuse and .... worse yet, Lakota versus Lakota violence. The uncomfortable question this movie poses to its audience is what do you do to rehabilitate a once noble culture after a crushing history of genocide. Or more to the point, support a culture to rehabilitate itself. Lakota actors and actresses making Lakota theme movies is an important step in the right direction.Despite the lack of "polish" afforded to high budget Hollywood movies, I would give "Skins" five stars on pure guts alone. It is a statement the wider White culture desperately needs to consider. The statement is well worth the five stars also. America would do well to learn from such people of the earth who have lived in oneness with nature without pollution for thousands of years. Whatever Graham wants to dance with or wallow in for future movies will probably be well worth the price, as he is a veteran actor at the top of his game. I am also hoping to see Eric again in similar movies.

I absolutely loved this film. A gripping story that will leave you thinking about the characters days after you've seen the film. Sad, yet still uplifting and inspirational.