Broken Rainbow
Brief Synopsis
The government relocation of 10,000 Navajo sheds light on continuing mistreatment of Native Americans.
Cast & Crew
Read More
Burgess Meredith
Historical Voice
Martin Sheen
Narration
Michael Anderson
Director Of Photography
Trevor Black
Sound
Baird Bryant
Cinematographer
Roslyn Dauber
Associate Producer
Film Details
Genre
Documentary
Release Date
1985
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 9m
Synopsis
The government relocation of 10,000 Navajo sheds light on continuing mistreatment of Native Americans.
Crew
Michael Anderson
Director Of Photography
Trevor Black
Sound
Baird Bryant
Cinematographer
Roslyn Dauber
Associate Producer
Johanna Demetrakas
Sound
Fred Elmes
Cinematographer
Maria Florio
Director
Maria Florio
Screenwriter
Maria Florio
Editor
Maria Florio
Producer
Victoria Mudd
Director
Victoria Mudd
Cinematographer
Victoria Mudd
Screenwriter
Victoria Mudd
Editor
Victoria Mudd
Producer
Laura Nyro
Music
Haline Paul
Sound
Jim Rossolini
Sound
Clyde Smith
Sound
Lisa Sonne
Writer
Alan Splet
Sound Department
Tony St John
Cinematographer
Susumu Tokunow
Sound Mixer
Joan Weidman
Cinematographer
Videos
Movie Clip
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i243/brokenrainbow_nowordforrelocation_vd_223x104_10232013034225.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i243/brokenrainbow_nowordforrelocation_vd_223x104_10232013034226.jpg?w=400)
Film Details
Genre
Documentary
Release Date
1985
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 9m
Award Wins
Best Documentary Feature
1985
Articles
Broken Rainbow
Broken Rainbow was directed by anthropologist Victoria Mudd, who also produced, wrote and edited the film along with Maria Florio, a graphic designer. It was the first foray into filmmaking for both Mudd and Florio through their newly formed company Earthworks Films. The documentary uses interviews, archival footage, photographs and clips from old Hollywood Westerns to help illustrate the plight of the Navajos. It is a passionate call to action for all those who sympathize with the injustice.
Broken Rainbow also prominently features an original title song written and performed by musician Laura Nyro set against the backdrop of the breathtaking natural landscapes of Arizona.
Among the many positive reviews the documentary received was one from Walter Goodman of The New York Times who wrote, "In succumbing to the fashion for idealizing an underclass, the movie makers call their own good sense and judgment into question. The Navajo case, as presented here, is forceful enough not to require foolish embellishment. You don't have to romanticize a people's traditions to defend them against being kicked around. "We don't count," one woman says, summing up only too accurately her people's experience with Washington. Broken Rainbow created out of passionate commitment and composed with loving care, compels us to see that experience through Indian eyes."
Producer: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd
Director: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd
Screenplay: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd, Lisa Sonne
Cinematography: Baird Bryant, Frederick Elmes, Victoria Mudd, Tony St. John, Joan Weidman
Music: Rick Krizman, Fred Myrow
Film Editing: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd
Cast: Martin Sheen (Narrator), Buffy Sainte-Marie (voice), Burgess Meredith (voice), Laura Nyro (voice), Mark Andrews (Himself).
C-70m.
by Andrea Passafiume
![Broken Rainbow](https://prod-images.tcm.com/img/film-participant-detail/Featured-Artilce_Placeholder.png)
Broken Rainbow
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature of 1985, Broken Rainbow tells the heartbreaking story of the mistreatment of Native Americans at the hands of the U.S. government. Beginning in the 1970s, over 12,000 Navajos were forced off their land in northeastern Arizona to make way for greedy companies that stood to profit from exploiting the natural energy resources. Narrated by actor Martin Sheen, this moving and beautiful documentary will not soon be forgotten.
Broken Rainbow was directed by anthropologist Victoria Mudd, who also produced, wrote and edited the film along with Maria Florio, a graphic designer. It was the first foray into filmmaking for both Mudd and Florio through their newly formed company Earthworks Films. The documentary uses interviews, archival footage, photographs and clips from old Hollywood Westerns to help illustrate the plight of the Navajos. It is a passionate call to action for all those who sympathize with the injustice.
Broken Rainbow also prominently features an original title song written and performed by musician Laura Nyro set against the backdrop of the breathtaking natural landscapes of Arizona.
Among the many positive reviews the documentary received was one from Walter Goodman of The New York Times who wrote, "In succumbing to the fashion for idealizing an underclass, the movie makers call their own good sense and judgment into question. The Navajo case, as presented here, is forceful enough not to require foolish embellishment. You don't have to romanticize a people's traditions to defend them against being kicked around. "We don't count," one woman says, summing up only too accurately her people's experience with Washington. Broken Rainbow created out of passionate commitment and composed with loving care, compels us to see that experience through Indian eyes."
Producer: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd
Director: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd
Screenplay: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd, Lisa Sonne
Cinematography: Baird Bryant, Frederick Elmes, Victoria Mudd, Tony St. John, Joan Weidman
Music: Rick Krizman, Fred Myrow
Film Editing: Maria Florio, Victoria Mudd
Cast: Martin Sheen (Narrator), Buffy Sainte-Marie (voice), Burgess Meredith (voice), Laura Nyro (voice), Mark Andrews (Himself).
C-70m.
by Andrea Passafiume
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Fall November 1, 1985
Released in United States November 1985
Released in United States November 1985
Released in United States Fall November 1, 1985