My respect for the AFI’s new 100 List is greatly diminished with the omission of this film. How can that be? I’m really rather angry about this.

Why is it that so many forget how groundbreaking this film was? After a century of persecution of Native Americans, both politically and cinematically, this film made them into human beings. If this was an “apology film,” so be it. They deserved one. In addition, the film ran over three hours long at a time when Hollywood didn’t think we’d sit that long, it contained subtitles which Hollywood believed was the kiss of death, and it was an example of a genre Hollywood decided was no longer viable. YET…. AFI’s voters exclude it! What is wrong with you?

The film is a cinematic marvel with perfect performances from Costner on down to an amazing Graham Greene. The cinematography, music, and art direction is some of the finest I have ever seen. I know of a young man — a Goodfellas fan — who didn’t want to see this film because of the anger so many Scorcese fans still have for this film. Yet, after he saw it, he had to agree it is a fine film and he chuckled when he admitted that he actually enjoyed it!

This is a work of art. And I’m sick to death of second-guessers, critics, and those that belittle it because it beat out Goodfellas. I’m sick of Costner critics who refuse to see the sure hand of direction here. For AFI to kick it off the list is like a last straw. The only other film of that year with box office legs that even competed with this film was Home Alone. This film deserves respect and AFI didn’t give it. Shame on you.