A Western tale of an aging veteran and a girl who speaks only Kiowa
In short: In 2020, director Paul Greengrass brought Paulette Jiles’s novel to the screen, casting Tom Hanks as a traveling reader of news in post-Civil War Texas. He finds himself tasked with returning a young captive to her family, a journey that evolves into an unexpected, poignant bond between two displaced souls.
Set in 1870, the film follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a former Confederate officer who earns a living by reading newspaper stories to local residents for ten cents. His solitary life is interrupted when he discovers Johanna Leonberger, a young girl who had been kidnapped and raised by the Kiowa six years earlier. Tasked with delivering her to her remaining relatives in Castroville, Kidd embarks on a 400-mile journey across a landscape defined by danger and prejudice.
The production, which began filming in September 2019 in New Mexico, prioritized cultural authenticity. Kiowa Tribe member Dorothy WhiteHorse coached Helena Zengel, who plays Johanna, in the Kiowa language and behavioral nuances, earning praise from Tribal Chairman Matthew Komalty for the crew's attention to detail. Despite this, the film faced varied critical reception. While many praised the cinematography and the central performances, some critics argued the narrative felt overly sanitized or failed to represent the historical context accurately.
Released theatrically by Universal Pictures in December 2020, the film earned $12 million globally. It garnered nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards for categories including Best Original Score and Best Cinematography. The film’s release strategy was complex, shifting from its original studio, Fox 2000 Pictures, to Universal following the Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox, with Netflix securing international distribution rights. Ultimately, the story serves as a meditation on the weight of the past and the possibility of finding family in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: News of the World (film)
- Also: Wikidata — News of the World · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-news-of-the-world-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
