Val Kilmer Western Movie Ages Well

1992’s Thunderheart is a beloved Western movie, and it’s only gotten better with age. Starring Val Kilmer and Sam Shepard, Michael Apted’s Western takes a look at the Wounded Knee incident that took place in 1973. Featuring plenty of details and a meaningful message, it’s great to see that a Thunderheart 4K release is now available for purchase.

“FBI agent Ray Levoi is thrust into a strange new world when he is sent to solve a murder on an Indian reservation. Hand-picked because of his part-Sioux ancestry, Levoi is teamed with a legendary older agent to capture a radical Indian protester. There, Levoi encounters the local sheriff and the tribe’s religious leader, who knows secrets about Levoi’s own lost heritage. As Levoi’s awareness of the native culture grows, so does his belief that the U.S. government has framed an innocent man,” says the official synopsis.

Apted, who was best known for directing The World Is Not Enough, Nell, and Coal Miner’s Daughter, had a great eye for detail and framing, which is why he was also such a great documentarian. He brought that attentive eye to Thunderheart, which has aged wonderfully thanks to its focus on Sioux customs and not falling into clichés. The film winds up being an intense thriller that sticks with viewers thanks to how real it all feels.

Thunderheart is filled with small details and some gorgeous cinematography, which is all the more easy to appreciate in 4K UHD. The more dimly-lit scenes receive the greatest boost thanks to the disc’s implementation of HDR. As far as audio goes, it features both the DTS-HD 5.1 track that was included in the recent Blu-ray release, plus its theatrical DTS-HD 2.0 audio mix. I preferred the 2.0 release, which sounds more robust and allows for the action and the film’s original score to really shine.

Beyond the enhanced visual and audio quality, Thunderhearts 4K release is even better than its recent 2024 Blu-ray counterpart when it comes to special features as well. Nearly 12 minutes of archival interviews with the cast and crew are included, including thoughts from Kilmer and Graham Greene. The recent audio commentary by writer and producer John Fusco is also included, which goes over casting, character development, and more stories from making the film. A theatrical trailer rounds out the bonuses, making it a solid amount of extras on the disc.

Thunderheart 4K Review: Final Verdict

The Thunderheart 4K release is a great way to enjoy Michael Apted’s Western movie. The film itself has aged wonderfully, with poignant themes and a wonderful lead performance from Val Kilmer, and it has never looked better than this 4K release. Featuring an audio commentary, plus interviews with the cast and crew, there are meaningful bonus features included as well, making it a well-rounded release.

Disclosure: ComingSoon received product from the distributor for our Thunderheart 4K review.