THE LAST MANHUNT
US, 2022, 103 minutes, Colour.
Martin Sensmeier, Maiei Minimaka, Lily Gladstone, Christian Camargo, Wade Williams, Jamie Sives, Tantoo Cardinal, Jason Momoa.
Directed by Christian Camargo.
This last manhunt, of a white posse pursuing a Native American, is based on fact, an episode of 1909, covering several hundred miles. It was previously dramatised on film in 1970s Tell Them Willie Boy is Here, starring Robert Blake as Willie Boy, Katharine Ross as the woman and Robert Redford in pursuit. The film was directed by Abraham Polansky.
This time this is a more sombre telling, directed by Christian Camargo who also plays the Sheriff. The screenplay was cowritten by Jason Momoa who also has a small cameo as Big Jim. This time the lovers are played by Martin Sensmeieer and Maiei Minimaka.
This is a rather slow-moving film, pursuit, not an exciting Western that many might have anticipated. Rather, it spends time looking at the situation of the Native Americans, the possibility of the relationship between Willie Boy and Carlotta, different tribes, hostilities, laws about relationships and marriage. It also looks at the white community, the men who go in pursuit of Willie Boy, the sheriff with his own private griefs, drinking, the other white members, the Native Americans who also travel. And, along with them, is a journalist who wants a sensational story so that he can move upwards in his profession.
Ultimately, this is a sad story.
1. An early 20th century Western? Based on actual characters in manhunt, 1909? The situation of native American Indians?
2. The background of 1909, the West, the towns, the role of the native Americans, racist attitudes? Tribal situations, law and lore? The details of life?
3. The scenic aspects of the film, the landscapes, the beauty, ruggedness, menace? The musical score?
4. Willie Boy, his family, situation, the relationship with Carlotta, her place in her tribe, her strict shaman father, the forbidden relationship? The confrontation, the death of the father, Willie Boy and Carlotta and the blame? Their escape?
5. The film detailing the pursuit, the bond between Willie Boy and Carlotta, their characters, love, dependents? The detail of the repercussions with the tribe, the various relatives, decisions?
6. The sheriff, the members of the posse, their situations, the sheriff and his memories of his wife, drinking, the pressure from the members of the posse? The range of Native Americans in the pursuit? Big Jim? The pursuit, the writing, the scouting, confrontations with Willie Boy, the shooting of the horses? Decisions about continuing the pursuit? The ruggedness of the situation? The groups going off to pursue the fugitives? Meeting again?
7. Randolph, newspaper background, his personality, clothes, horse, accompanying the group, wanting interviews, wanting to sensationalise the story, his career?
8. The background of the native Americans, their reaction to the pursuit, the conversation with the grandmother?
9. Willie Boy and Carlotta, through the mountains, the snakebite, Willie Boy and his going to the farm, getting the medicine? Carlotta and her death?
10. Willie Boy, the chase, his death?
11. The media, big Jim posing as the dead Willie Boy, the story, its publication, reality and folklore?
