Cowboys and Indians: The J.J. Harper Story (2003 TV Movie) User Reviews

A star making performance by Eric Schweig.

[ram-30 · 8/10 · 6 October 2003]

The real life case of an innocent First Nations chief(the Indian) by an Winnipeg city officer(the Cowboy) is the basis of this TV movie. The actual case caused its fair share of racial tension in Canada, a small scale Martin Luther King thing. The misjustice of First Nations people is becoming a staple in the Canadian cinema diet. What makes this film worth viewing is the focus on the family's reactions. The father played by Gordon Tootoosis demands forgiveness and the brother played by Eric Schweig demands justice. The stars Gordon Tootoosis and Adam Beach(WINDTALKERS, SKINWALKERS)have minor, almost cameo, appearances. Soon-to-be star Eric Schweig makes his mark in this film with a powerful performance. An honourable mention goes to veteran actor Gary Chalk who has chalked up over 100 movies to his credit. His portrayal of the troubled soul Inspector Dowson was worthy of a Gemini Award(the Canadian Emmy)along with Eric Schweig. The special effects(jump cuts, dream sequences) are occasional and not overbearing. Couple this with some beautiful northern Canadian scenery and recent ongoing events involving police officers and First Nations people like the Neil Stonechild case, and you have a very rewarding and relevant viewing experience.

The "blue wall of silence" cuts across the border

[SGMidence · 6/10 · 29 November 2020]

Amazing (and disheartening) how similar this case of a First Nations man's lethal shooting by police in 1988 Winnipeg is to any given police killing of a Black/POC victim in today's United States. (Or even to the murder of Trayvon Martin by a wannabe cop.) Not sure if Canada has made much progress toward justice in the intervening three decades, but apparently south of the border we have not.

The film itself is engaging and concise, albeit a bit melodramatic and unmistakably a TV movie of its time. (Remember fades to black for commercial breaks?) Worth watching for the subject matter and for its Indigenous representation.

A serious miscarriage of justice similar to the Donald Marshall case

[LaxFan94 · 6/10 · 8 February 2004]

After watching this film, I saw that it had a lot of facts in it that related to the wrongful murder of JJ Harper. I relate this film to another Canadian made film called "Justice Denied" in which Donald Marshall was wrongly convicted of murder. It's quite similar how the injustices that were committed against Donald Marshall were also committed against JJ Harper and his family! Well, the way it turned out, Robert Cross (the police officer who shot Harper) died many years later so no one will ever really know who shot Harper. According to the real story, Cross was in pursuit of 2 young men who were driving a stolen vehicle. Although Cross did apprehend the 2 suspects he somehow ran into and started harassing Harper for no apparent reason. That was when Cross pulled out his revolver to shoot Harper.

Well.............. anyways............. I really liked the drama in this film so that's why I gave it a 6 out of 10.

Cowboys and Indians - Cowboy was a City of Winnipeg policeman

[rjkowalchuk · 11 November 2003]

The cowboy in the movie Cowboys and Indians: The J.J. Harper Story was a City of Winnipeg policeman, the late Constable Cross, and not an R.C.M.P. officer as stated in a review by Richard Maurer. Anyone submitting a review has to have the correct facts before submitting.

Untold

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 28 July 2020]

This is a less publicized but compelling story of the racism endured by the indigenous peoples.

My thoughts on the JJ Harper murder

[babylam · 10/10 · 23 January 2006]

I grew up in Winnipeg and saw the treatment of the natives almost everyday. There are good and bad in EVERY race, why make them all out to be bad? That goes for all races today. John Harper was an educated man, he graduated from high school, he even had a year of university under his belt before going back to the reserve. How do I know this? John Harper lived with my family for the 3 years he was in high school, and he kept in contact with us the year after graduation. He was a kind and gentle soul, he could be fun loving and he could be serious when the times were right. I wasn't very old when he left our house, but I can still remember all the times he helped me with my homework when my own brother couldn't be bothered. He even taught grade 3 the year before he came to Winnipeg. None of this is mentioned in the movie, and the suicide of constable cross is an admission of guilt as far as I'm concerned. What happened to John is unforgivable, not only in the native community, but also in the white community. Not everyone in Winnipeg think like the police do, I knew the person inside, and what he was like as a PERSON, not an Indian!

Excellent Film!

[rwootn · 10/10 · 20 October 2006]

Cowboys and Indians is an excellent film. The writing, acting, directing could not have been better. This was a story that begged to be told, and this group of talented individuals and teams did a superb job of doing so. Stories like this one are not pleasant ones, but serve to remind people of the social injustices that exist all around the world. It is my hope that when this film is seen that attitudes and prejudices will be changed. A film that can do that is a rare a special thing. Andrew Berzins is an excellent writer, and his talents and expertise in this field came shining through in this film.

Thank you for telling this story!!!

Ruby

Cowboys and Indians awesome

[mcbrides1223 · 10/10 · 20 January 2006]

I just watched it for the second time today and I must say with all my heart it is about damn time they made a movie about us as people not as spiritual beings. Such a waste of human life as this story was maybe some good will come out of it. And Eric is hotter than ever. To often in the movies First Nations people are seen as other than everyday people. We are always portrayed as chiefs or medicine people. Hey we are just like everyone else. And this movie showed just that. We hurt when an injustice is done and we can win in quest for justice. It is really to bad that the big movie companies cant see that. I cant wait till this comes out on DVD. Thanks to those who chose to show this story as it really was.

An engrossing movie.

[b-27247 · 10/10 · 16 August 2018]

I loved it. Follows a cover-up of the killing of a Indian young man. Well made and captivating.