Watch Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a historical drama series that aired on HBO in 2007. The show portrays the devastating events that led to the downfall of Native American tribes in the late 1800s. The series is based on the book by Dee Brown and features an all-star cast that includes Adam Beach, Anna Paquin, Chevez Ezaneh, August Schellenberg, Aidan Quinn, Colm Feore, Fred Thompson, Duane Howard, Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse, Brian Stollery, Shaun Johnston, Gordon Tootoosis, Billy Merasty, Morris Birdyellowhead, Eddie Spears, Eric Schweig, Jimmy Herman, Patrick St. Esprit, J. K. Simmons, Wes Studi, Marty Atonini, and Lee Tergesen.

The show takes place during the late 1800s, and it revolves around the Native American tribes' ongoing struggle to preserve their land and their way of life. The story opens with the arrival of Senator Henry Dawes, who devises a plan to assimilate Native Americans into white culture. He promises them citizenship and land, but only if they abandon their tribal identity and culture. The plan is met with resistance by many of the Native American tribes, who see it as a betrayal of their heritage.

The show follows several different characters throughout the series, each of them grappling with the cultural upheaval in their own way. Adam Beach plays Charles Eastman, a Native American doctor who is torn between his loyalty to his tribe and his desire to integrate into white society. Anna Paquin plays Elaine Goodale, a white woman who is sympathetic to the plight of the Native Americans and falls in love with Eastman. Meanwhile, Chevez Ezaneh plays the young Ohiyesa, who is sent away to a boarding school where he is taught to reject his Native American heritage and embrace Western culture.

As the series progresses, tensions between the Native American tribes and the government escalate, eventually leading to the Battle of Little Bighorn and the massacre at Wounded Knee. The show does not shy away from the brutal violence that occurred during these events, and it portrays the devastation wrought upon the Native American tribes in a poignant and heartbreaking manner.

Throughout the series, the performances by the cast are uniformly excellent. Adam Beach delivers a nuanced and emotionally resonant portrayal of Charles Eastman, while Anna Paquin brings a quiet strength to her role as Elaine Goodale. Chevez Ezaneh is a standout as the young Ohiyesa, delivering a moving performance that captures the character's emotional vulnerability and growing disillusionment.

The show also benefits from its stunning cinematography and evocative score, which help to create a sense of time and place that is both authentic and immersive. The series is clearly a labor of love for its creators, and it shows in every scene.

Overall, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a moving and thought-provoking series that offers a sensitive and thoughtful reflection on one of the darkest chapters in American history. It is a powerful reminder of the complex and often tragic human cost of cultural conflict and a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Native American people.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between May 27, 2007 and on HBO