Search - A Thief of Time on DVD

Gloria B. (glowbird) from SPOKANE, WA
Reviewed on 1/28/2024...

Chris Eye (Smoke Signals, Skins, Edge of America) directs the adaptation of a Tony Hillerman novel set in the southwest. Adam Beach and Wes Studi play Navajo tribal policemen, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. The two men investigate the disappearance of a famous archaeologist suspected of stealing artifacts from an ancient Indian burial ground. This film is one of three from PBS Mystery! series. Excellent films based on Hillerman's excellent books.

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Mmm good movie but...

A. Canavan | Portland, Oregon United States | 01/11/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just finished the book a Thief of Time and then watched the movie. I really had to let go of the book in order to sit back and enjoy the movie(and also for my partner too, since I kept saying "but that is not right"). The characters were great depsite some changes. One for instance that kept bugging me on and off throughout the movie was Jim Chee. This is not the Jim Chee in the books...this Jim is more naive, innocent, lacks some of self responsiblity that he has in the books and much more talkative. Jim 'talks' a lot in the books..but that is because we are in his head but he is less talkative to people. He waits. He is patient. He listens. He is observant. These are not traits found in the Jim Chee in the movie.

Plus, Joe and Chee have a respectful, guarded, but not really like each other relationship at this point in the series. In the movie, Chee is thinks the world of Joe and likes him quite a bit.

I know it doesn't sound like, I enjoyed the movie..but I did. I am just sharing that it might be best to let go of what you have read in the books...to enjoy the film."

Bad adaption of a good novel

Rajesh Rathi | Mountain view, CA | 02/15/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The movie adaption is not up to the high standards set by Hillerman's novel [Novel gets a 5-star]. It had the elements to make it a good movie - great story, great actors and the most beautiful setting in the world, the Southwest.

But they botched it up- bad direction and screenplay. The deviations from the original story (not major) and the additions were not needed. The scenes are incoherent and some left unexplained. Some of the dialogs are plain stupid, for instance - Emma shows up at Janet's apartment at 5 am looking concerned. And Janet says "This is not a good time". In the end it appears as if Leaphorn did not solve the case at all (different from novel).

The pluses - Authentic locations (except at Chaco). Good acting by Studi and Beach. The movie does a decent job of showing the Navajo life on reservation, being somewhat true to the novel. And if you are bored of watching NYPD, CSI-Miami etc. etc., the Navajo Tribal Police Dept comes as a refreshing change."