Watch Silent Tongue

Silent Tongue is a 1993 western drama film starring Alan Bates, Richard Harris, River Phoenix and Sheila Tousey. The movie is directed by Sam Shepard, known for his work as a playwright. The film tells the story of Talbot Roe, played by Richard Harris, who is a wealthy rancher in the 19th century American West. Roe's daughter, Awbonnie, played by Sheila Tousey, dies shortly after giving birth to a son named Ree, played by River Phoenix. Roe is devastated by the loss of his daughter and becomes obsessed with finding a way to bring her spirit back to life.

Roe hires a medicine man named Eamon McCree, played by Alan Bates, to perform a ritual to resurrect Awbonnie's spirit. McCree agrees to perform the ritual, but only if Roe will give him Roe's prized possession, a horse named Silent Tongue. Roe agrees and the ritual is performed, but it does not bring back Awbonnie's spirit. In a fit of rage, Roe kills McCree and takes back his horse.

Ree, who has been raised by his mother's tribe, wants to bury his mother's body in the traditional manner of her people. He sets out to retrieve her body from his grandfather's ranch, but Roe will not allow him to take it. A bitter feud develops between the two men over Awbonnie's body and the horse Silent Tongue.

The film explores themes of grief, loss and the clash of cultures between white settlers and Native Americans. It also examines the obsession with possessions and the destructive nature of greed.

Silent Tongue is a slow-paced, introspective film that relies heavily on the performances of its actors. Richard Harris gives a powerful performance as Talbot Roe, a man consumed by grief and haunted by the memory of his daughter. River Phoenix is also exceptional as Ree, a young man struggling to come to terms with his dual heritage and the loss of his mother.

Alan Bates is equally impressive as Eamon McCree, a medicine man who is both mysterious and wise. His character is essential to the film as he represents the Native American culture and serves as a mediator between the warring factions of Ree and Talbot Roe.

The movie is shot in a beautiful, desolate landscape that captures the mood of the film perfectly. The score, composed by Jack Nitzsche, is haunting and melancholic, adding to the film's overall sense of melancholy.

Overall, Silent Tongue is a powerful and thought-provoking film that delves into the depths of human emotion and the clash of cultures in the American West. It is a testament to the talent of its cast and director and remains an underrated gem in the world of western films.

Silent Tongue is a 1994 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.