While there's much to admire within this very good looking and thoughtful production, a closer look at its origins undoes much of its good work. At first impression, it comes across as a true biography (as the author claimed it to be) but it is a fabrication. Taken as fiction its fine but let's not allow ourselves to glorify blatant lies.
Its first undoing is tending to be based on a fictional book written by compulsive liar Forrest Carter, he claimed to be the orphan of Cherokee parents but this was proven to be a just another of his many lies. Carter was an ex Ku Klux Clan leader who indulged in many violent incidents. He was also a speechwriter for Democratic presidential contender, Governor George Wallace, at the time both men were confirmed racists, and shameless segregationists.
While the writer might have been attempting to atone for many past sins (and that's admirable) it casts a very bad light on this productions handling of the fake elements of the overall story. Secondly; the appalling stereotypical way the whites are depicted is far too obviously a set-up, a contrivance - all are either nasty, hypocritical, bigoted buffoons or overly obvious white trash. Thirdly; Little Trees 'Education' while with his Grandparents mostly consisted of running an illegal Whisky Still - there are many lost opportunities here for other higher learning. Screenplay writer/director Richard Friedenberg, along with co-writer Earle Hamner Jr (The Walton's TV series) may have ignored several important factual elements with this project.
There's much to atone for with the genocide of the American Natives and some of what's depicted here is heart-wrenchingly true. But, to present this story, dressed as if in its original claim of fact - from the pen of a dishonest author, is not the best way to earn any viewer respect. What should have been a superb historical statement appears to end up as an emotionally manipulative, fictional endeavor.
Visually lush, with some strong performances to match (it's always good to see Graham Green on screen, although he seems to walk through this one like he knows it a sham) 'Little Tree' certainly engages the viewer's emotions but could have been so much better if given a more honest treatment. Members of the Cherokee nation have openly denounced the so-called Cherokee teachings in Little Tree as inaccurate. The strikingly beautiful locations and photography, combined with Mark Isham's music, are valuable assets but it tends to be about 12 -15mins too long at nearly 2 hrs. Good looking but seems sadly based on highly suspect material.
Its first undoing is tending to be based on a fictional book written by compulsive liar Forrest Carter, he claimed to be the orphan of Cherokee parents but this was proven to be a just another of his many lies. Carter was an ex Ku Klux Clan leader who indulged in many violent incidents. He was also a speechwriter for Democratic presidential contender, Governor George Wallace, at the time both men were confirmed racists, and shameless segregationists.
While the writer might have been attempting to atone for many past sins (and that's admirable) it casts a very bad light on this productions handling of the fake elements of the overall story. Secondly; the appalling stereotypical way the whites are depicted is far too obviously a set-up, a contrivance - all are either nasty, hypocritical, bigoted buffoons or overly obvious white trash. Thirdly; Little Trees 'Education' while with his Grandparents mostly consisted of running an illegal Whisky Still - there are many lost opportunities here for other higher learning. Screenplay writer/director Richard Friedenberg, along with co-writer Earle Hamner Jr (The Walton's TV series) may have ignored several important factual elements with this project.
There's much to atone for with the genocide of the American Natives and some of what's depicted here is heart-wrenchingly true. But, to present this story, dressed as if in its original claim of fact - from the pen of a dishonest author, is not the best way to earn any viewer respect. What should have been a superb historical statement appears to end up as an emotionally manipulative, fictional endeavor.
Visually lush, with some strong performances to match (it's always good to see Graham Green on screen, although he seems to walk through this one like he knows it a sham) 'Little Tree' certainly engages the viewer's emotions but could have been so much better if given a more honest treatment. Members of the Cherokee nation have openly denounced the so-called Cherokee teachings in Little Tree as inaccurate. The strikingly beautiful locations and photography, combined with Mark Isham's music, are valuable assets but it tends to be about 12 -15mins too long at nearly 2 hrs. Good looking but seems sadly based on highly suspect material.