This is a very good film for those who only think that American History is only about American Independence, Civil War and Cowboy's and Indians. There are many more stories to be told about America like the Cajuns, the American/Mexican war, American Indians and not just slavery of African-Americans. I agree that this film is may not be very sophisticated, action packed and the story line is relatively easy to predict. But, all that aside, Asante does a very good job and shows his talent in attempting to play a cultural role that he is not. His attempt to act "Cajun" and attempt to speak the Cajun dialect underlines his acting ability. This film is very underrated only because it is not very well know. There are not enough films about our culture and this film is a good starting point. It is amazing that no other film attempts, since 1986, to tell the story of the persecution of the Cajuns/Creole culture in the South during this time period. I know that this does not compare to the persecution of the African-American slaves during the same period, but it does attempt to show the similarities. And, if you go to the real Cajun Country today(not New Orleans), you will enjoy the brotherhood, hospitality and friendliness that is comparable to none.

"Belizaire the Cajun" is a relatively low budgeted film filmed in Louisiana at a site where an early Cajun settlement was recreated. It stars Armand Asante as Belizaire, a decent fellow who is caught up in some hateful times...and it's about his efforts to remedy the situation using his brains and, occasionally, brawn.

The story is set just a few years before the US Civil War and the plot seems to mirror much of what happened in the post-war South. A group of 'concerned citizens' have taken it upon themselves to form a vigilante committee in order to rid their community of so-called 'undesirables'...mostly poor folks. Like the later KKK, they arrive at night on horseback en masse and announce to these undesirables that the committee has decided they are guilty of crimes (despite the law no prosecuting them) and the parties have a few days to collect their belongings and leave the state...or else. Good natured Belizaire is horrified to see his friends threatened and the film is about his efforts to stop this madness.

The best thing about the film is Asante's nice depiction of the title character. He effects a nice Cajun accent and is very good in the lead. My only problem with the film is that it really could use captions, as the accents and dialect are at times VERY difficult to understand.

A rarely seen corner of folk culture receives star billing in this lively slice of backwoods Americana, directed by an alumnus of Robert Redford's Sundance Institute. The background is historically precise: a 19th century clash between expatriate French Canadian settlers and local vigilante ranchers in rural Louisiana, but in the foreground is a rousing, crowd pleasing drama much in the style of many a western. Armand Assante plays the title character, a celebrated Cajun rogue and medicine man hoping to end the repression of his kinfolk by pleading guilty to a murder he didn't commit. This selfless gesture leads him straight to the gallows where, in an unlikely but exciting climax, he manages to outwit the enemy and save the day (not to mention his own neck). It may lack the technical gloss of a bigger budget film, but more than compensates with plenty of rich period detail and flavor. Robert Duvall, credited as a creative consultant, appears in a brief cameo role.