Just perfect...

A Surprisingly Unforgettable Movie!

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

I was very taken with this little "made for TV" film, told almost like a short story and made better than it deserved to be by the commitment and chemistry of the leads Janine Turner and Michael Greyeyes (unfairly denied top billing). The core characters are well-drawn in very little time; the story is engrossing, and the ending just the way its viewers come to wish for. To a great extent it makes up for the essential cheesiness of the show itself. ** Some spoilers from here on ** In 1868, both before and after her arranged marriage to a plain prairie homesteader, white Anna Brewster-Morgan (Turner) crosses paths with Tokalah (Greyeyes), a Sioux warrior, and eventually spends a year in captivity in his village, along with her friend Sarah. While Sarah struggles with Sioux life, Anna seems to relish it. But meanwhile Anna's husband Daniel and the US army have been searching for the captive women. Custer eventually tracks them and 'negotiates' for their release, at a price; but by this time Anna's initially clear-cut relationship with Tokalah, and the meaning of 'freedom', have changed for her.The supporting cast add believability. Among them, Sarah (Jean Louisa Kelly), William Lightning (Cetah) and William Shockley (Custer) deserve mention. Rodney Grant is a bit wasted in his small non-speaking part, while Patrick Bergin's whispered utterings are just annoying in the second half. The film doesn't make cartoon judgements of its characters: no dyed-in-the-wool baddies, and no true-blue heroes. Everyone has complicated, human responses to the unfolding events. Anna's friend Sarah isn't a horrible white woman: she hates being a captive, but it's the life, not the people; and she shows empathy for Anna's predicament. Likewise, Daniel's fury: having waited so long for a wife, he's justifiably frustrated that she keeps slipping from his grasp.Someone commented that this film is really all about white female wish-fulfilment and romanticising of Native men - yes, probably true. Despite this, I'd still rather see Native men visibly objectified than completely invisible, wiped off the cultural face of America altogether, as with so much of Native culture. How many mainstream films have you seen in the last twenty years in which Native characters feature so prominently? Shanghai Noon? Please. I wish, like other reviewers, that in 1997 they could have avoided putting Anna in heavy eyeliner and peach (!) lipstick; but there's more good than bad. The Sioux nation given its own voice (the scene in Custer's tent is particularly strong); Custer shown for the duplicitous self-glorifier he really was; a Native character as central love interest; Anna making a human choice guided by her desire. So until another "Thunderheart" or "Skins" comes along, I enjoy this as pure TV fantasy fiction and, yes, a bit of a guilty pleasure – what a pity all these fans can't get it on video or DVD!

When we hear about TV movies, we usually expect predictable plot lines, strained acting, and numerous holes in the plot, especially with something that airs on Lifetime periodically. Not this film.Stolen Women, Captured Hearts features a strong cast (including Janine Turner, Michael Greyeyes, and Patrick Bergin) whose emotion shines throughout the film. The score is beautiful and the plot is quite enjoyable.While most lifetime dramas focus around family drama in the present day, this film presents the story of two white women captured by Sioux Native Americans in the late 1860s and how one of the captive's emotions are tested by the temptation of her captor.The film features good drama and suspense, as well as the hostility between whites and the natives. Some historical references and even a very important real-life figure are featured in the movie. I was moved by the romance and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I definitely recommend it.

Very often, TV movies are overly corny, acting stinks and the plot always ends up with the same result. In this case, I don't think that happened. I really enjoyed this one. Every time there is a film about white woman being taken by Native Americans, there's always disastrous results. You can't tell me that maybe, every once in a while, just maybe..there was a love found somewhere. Thats what I liked about it. I also like that they showed two sides, one conforming, the other resisting. I have looked for this movie to be able to see it again, but have failed. I think Janine Turner is underused as an actress. She's stunning to look at and isn't half bad in the acting department. This is a "throw your blanket over yourself, sit down with some icecream on the couch, rainy day movie". If you are a sucker for romance, you'll love this one. And not to mention....looking at gorgeous Native Americans' with no shirts on, is never a bad thing!

This is one of the few movies that really takes one away from reality...great actors, scenery. The story is simple but life was simple then, too and the focus is on the main characters without adding too much side story. I would compare this movie to The Last Of the Mohicans in many regards. There we actually see four very believably played lovers. The Last Of The Mohicans naturally shows much more variation in scenery since it was made for the movies but it is not more believable. Both movies have touched me and I love them for what they are. They make my dreamworld richer and every-day life easier. I don't need to see too much reality in movies.