First of all I want to say this is one of my all-time favorites films. I always get close to tears every time I see it (Forrest Gump is the only other movie that almost makes me cry every time I see.)
To the Indian History aficionados out there: how accurate is the depictions of Indians in this film?
I think there isn't much of a message board participation on this movie but I'm giving this question a shot.
Sand Creek massacre - November 29, 1864
I saw the bodies of those lying there cut all to pieces, worse mutilated than any I ever saw before; the women cut all to pieces ... With knives; scalped; their brains knocked out; children two or three months old; all ages lying there, from sucking infants up to warriors ... By whom were they mutilated? By the United States troops ...
—- John S. Smith, Congressional Testimony of Mr. John S. Smith, 1865
The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.