Incident at Oglala (1992)

100% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(668 ratings)

Produced and narrated by Robert Redford, the documentary Incident at Oglala is an examination of the murder case involving Leonard Peltier. Produced and narrated by Robert Redford, the documentary takes place in the Indian reservations of South Dakota near Wounded Knee, where U.S. soldiers massacred… More Produced and narrated by Robert Redford, the documentary Incident at Oglala is an examination of the murder case involving Leonard Peltier. Produced and narrated by Robert Redford, the documentary takes place in the Indian reservations of South Dakota near Wounded Knee, where U.S. soldiers massacred the native population (including Sioux Chief Sitting Bull) in 1890. On June 6, 1975, two FBI agents were killed in a village near Oglala, SD, and though many were charged with the crime, only Native American leader Leonard Peltier was convicted of murder. The case involves conflicting evidence that suggests he is an innocent victim. Director Michael Apted dealt with the same subject matter in his narrative film Thunderheart, starring Val Kilmer. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Michael Apted
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: May 8, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Apr 20, 2004
Studio: Live Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A powerful documentary on a miscarriage of justice over the deaths of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge reservation on June 26, 1975.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A major achievement, considering the obstacles: incendiary subject, mistrust by Indian leaders, suspicious FBI, and six months of negotiations to get an interview with the imprisoned Peltier
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
A textbook example of how to make a documentary.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Presents one more egregious example of the terrible treatement Native Americans have received from the U.S. government.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Michael Apted, "Incident at Oglala" is a documentary about the shootout in the Jumping Bull Compound at the Pine Ridge Reservation on June 26, 1975 that left two FBI agents, Jack Coler and Ron Williams, dead. The movie then traces the… More
[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Michael Apted, "Incident at Oglala" is a documentary about the shootout in the Jumping Bull Compound at the Pine Ridge Reservation on June 26, 1975 that left two FBI agents, Jack Coler and Ron Williams, dead. The movie then traces the origins of the militant American Indian Movement, before moving forward to cover the pursuit and trials of Darelle Butler, Bob Robideau and Leonard Peltier.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Incident at Oglala" contains some event reconstructions but is mostly interviews. And even though the sympathy is clearly with the defendants, participants from both sides including federal agents, eyewitnesses and lawyers(one of whom was William Kunstler) are heard from. I would have liked more biographical information on Leonard Peltier since he was one of the key players. The movie tries to fit the events into a pattern of persecution of American Indians by the federal government but this was another case of extreme justice that is endemic amongst law enforcement where somebody has to pay for the death of one of their own and the facts are simply made to fit the case. Luckily, the death penalty was not an option at the time.[/font]
Leo L

Brilliant.