On S List of Movie Reviews
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The Sign of the Beaver (1997)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
7/25
7/25:
After finishing the film, I was like, "Where's the beaver? And what sign?"
No wonder why the title was changed to Keeping the Promise which makes sense given the story. It's also
part of an American Indian DVD collection. That's because of the themes such as getting along with whites,
learning how to read so proposed treaties can be understood on paper, and dealing with the changes.
Keith Carradine may be the headliner, but it's really Brendan Fletcher's film. Both have done a nice job in
their own way. On the other side, Gordon Tootoosis and William Lightning take turns to provide a perspective
of the Penobscot Indians, a real tribe situated in Maine. I have no idea if the kid is an actual Indian since
there's nothing about him online.
The Sign of the Beaver is a good-looking period picture that's set in the Colonial America although it
understandably suffers due to low budget. Everybody should be mindful that there aren't many films like it in
existence. In the meantime, Maury Chaykin needs to work on showing more emotion when his foot is caught in
an animal trap. It should be hurting like hell to the point of not being able to think anymore.
All in all, The Sign of the Beaver is an appropriate children's film about accepting responsibilities and
growing up.