Spirit Rider a credible treat

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REVIEW

There's action, adventure, wild horses, romance and compelling family drama in OWL Television's film Spirit Rider.

Filmed on location in Manitoba, Spirit Rider is the story of Jesse Threebears (Herbie Barnes), an adolescent Native returned to his reserve to be repatriated after several years in foster homes.

Barnes is credible in the central role as Jesse, an angry young man full of promise but lacking a spiritual center. Strong-willed and driven, he's also directionless.

Returning to his community could be the start of a new life for him, but Jesse fights it the whole way. Not that he has to. Enough has already happened in his past to make Jesse's reintegration into the community difficult at best.

His grandfather (Gordon Tootoosis) is a recovering alcoholic, fresh out of prison and full of doubts about looking after his grandchild. Paul (Adam Beach) is another angry young repatriate who wants Jesse out because he doesn't think the newcomer is Indian enough.

The two boys also compete for the affections of Camilla (Michelle St. Johns), a local horseback rider. And topping it all off is an ugly little Threebear family secret that threatens to trap everyone in a web of denial and betrayal.

The fictitious community that Jesse returns to is full of realistic characters and situations. Albert (Tom Jackson) runs the general store and is the local inventor and entrepreneur. Vern (Graham Greene) is the disc jockey who came back to the reserve

one Christmas when he realized his life was pointless without being part of a community.

An advanced Windspeaker screening of the movie for a few young viewers produced rave reviews. Our audience, aged eight to 15, liked the film for its action and humor. Spirit Rider, made in co-operation with CBC, PBS and the British Broadcast Corporation, should be rebroadcast on several networks in the future.