Gilbert W

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A balanced narrative set in the last stages of Manifest Dynastic cultural dislocation with total subjegation of the Cheyenne people. The independant production filmed on locale with truly a cast "of thousands" suffers cinematic neglect, but tells events from varied P.O.V. The tragedy inflicted upon the chief and his family tests their very raison d'etre. The scenes of daily village life, routine intra-tribal disputes, U.S. calvary deployment & tactcal manuvers while carrying out Interior Dept. cartograghic ethnic cleansing, inter-tribal legacy feuds, the obligatory love affair with a triangled "bromance" blend well.

The compressed historical account and the formula good guy team versus the bad guys put off the commercial media critics thus their mediocre reviews. This timeless saga of a war-weary, honor-bound but jaded hero is presented in a slow crescendo of conflict portrayed in a vividly harsh manner creating a captivating "action movie". A mythical tale such as this must have a fair maiden, heroic comrades-in-arms & the valiant steed. If contemporary, the story would have honest L.E.O.s helping the hero fight the corrupt threat from rogue intelligence or greedy corporate forces with a really cool car or a dominant truck for chases. Placed in the time of the Magna Carta origins the battle is for the preservation of Liberty from unchecked royal domination over the land and its people. High stakes in a struggle to the death makes for a truly entertaining film worth seeing. The call to arms in this eternal battle always must be retold for each generation.

Hansberry, Ellison, Wright, Wilson, Malcolm X, Baldwin...so many liberating writers that reassured us with self-realization and confidence that despite the challenges of those times we could find the strength and courage to not bow down nor bend a knee in despair or fear. Lessons that may now be required reading for all Americans in these turbulent times. Now when instead of advancing the underclass of "minorities" there is equality of diminished expectations, opportunities, and independent thought. All under the shadow of an unaccountable oligarchy of self-appointed czars that control the peaceful institutions that once allowed these wonderful writers to express their truths and share their stories. They use Judas goats to lead the undereducated, often semi-literate classes that the Great Society & public education begot to the slaughterhouse of suppression by corrupted power-mad forces of unfettered greed, amoral self-aggrandized arrogance with antipathy for those they purport to help.

Since the first cave dwellers and trekkers' fireside tale-tellers & teachers entertained us, people have enjoyed and benefited from those experiences collectively. Now our 21st c. has its first saga that offers a morality play with Greek tragedy dilemma laced adaptations in pursuit of surviving the myriad conflicts from amongst intimate relationships up to those between inter-planetary species. The production is flawless visually. Subtle contemporary social tropes, as has always been the case in any culture, may distract or disturb those diminished or ignored by them. That said, with casting and dialogue missing opportunities to be truly diverse, yet the plot and acting are very well done. This series has binge potential for many viewers. Others may want to savor the drama in segments or clusters, much as pacing the nibbling of an exquisite box of chocolates or sipping a fine bottle of wine.

My Mom, an avid reader, would give me her paperbacks (we were working class poor in the 1950s) that I devoured. Raised in Chicago's worst "bantustan", Altgeld Gardens, reading took me away into other worlds. ASFDF really moved her. Only when approaching 100 y.o. did she confess that as a young, beautiful mulatta she had been pursued by a future Capo & was abandoned upon becoming pregnant with me. In my mid-70s, I recalled Robbin's early novel's impact on her and how accurately he described the "underworld" that despite the ignorance of my heritage I fell into that dark, dangerous world of treachery in Chicago. My true grandfather, called "Two Gun", died violently leaving Mom's lover an orphan, a future soldier in the Outfit when he met her. I survived. Sometimes I think I was handed recycled lives as the Reaper had his cold claws on me many times. I survived, picked up the old lunchpail, and became respectful earning several "titles" making her proud and allowing me to respond to her tale saying "Mom I love you. You gave me so much. You gave me Life." True art reflects real life.