Trudell Reviews

A bittersweet bio-pic which presents an articulate, defiant and sensitive soul who promises to remain committed to resistance till he draws his last breath.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4

Like many "documentaries" that are essentially homages, Trudell often lacks context.

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The movie tries to do too much, sandwiching in extraneous histories of the Indian occupation of Alcatraz, for instance, and skimming quickly past the mysterious fire that killed Trudell's wife and children.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4

Combines a minimum of critical distance and a maximum of gratuitous flash.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4

Rae's reluctance to delve into more complex, personal or specific territory -- with anecdotes, for example -- limits viewer involvement.

[John] Trudell is the compelling presence at the heart of Trudell, Heather Rae's fascinating but superficial treatment of the poet, singer and tilter-at-windmills who has been at the barricades from the get-go.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

"Trudell" may be a one-sided work of propaganda, but it's effective, well-crafted and informative propaganda.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

This documentary feature is more concerned with telling us about Trudell's many exploits than with telling us about the man. As a result, it feels superficial, and the tone is much too reverential.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

By preaching so relentlessly to the choir, this film misses an opportunity to show what got them to sing in the first place.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Despite the rambling finish, however, overall the film is a thought-provoking and graceful portrait of a tenacious peace warrior whose frankness is his greatest weapon.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

Short on the meat of documentary -- archival detail-- and long on hero worship ...

Full Review | Original Score: C

How could a movie about someone with one of the nation's longest FBI files be this dull?

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A tribute to the focused and prophetic Native poet and activist who loves the Earth and has made many stands for the dignity of his people.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

...should all be interesting, but Rae goes that extra mile to make it alternately dull and irritating.

Trudell's activism is more compelling than his poetry or performance art.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

Rae borrows a bit heavily from the Oliver Stone school of filmmaking: Quick cuts of seemingly random footage do more to draw attention to a possible dearth of relevant background materials than to evoke ideas of Native American history and struggle.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

Serves as both a timely tribute to the man and an important reminder for those in danger of forgetting the issues at stake in the Native American struggle for rights and dignity.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

Politics aside, Trudell plays like an infomercial for its subject rather than a serious examination of the man and his beliefs.

| Original Score: 1/4

More tribute than true documentary, Heather Rae's reverential biography of Native American activist John Trudell sells everyone a little short.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Strident environmental warnings and political rhetoric do not a movie make.

| Original Score: 5/10