Cockfighter (1974) 7.2
Southern action drama film about cockfighting. Director:Monte Hellman |
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Cockfighter (1974) 7.2
Southern action drama film about cockfighting. Director:Monte Hellman |
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Warren Oates | ... |
Frank Mansfield
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Richard B. Shull | ... |
Omar Baradansky
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| Harry Dean Stanton | ... |
Jack Burke
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| Ed Begley Jr. | ... |
Tom Peeples
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| Laurie Bird | ... |
Dody White Burke
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| Troy Donahue | ... |
Randall Mansfield
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Warren Finnerty | ... |
Sanders
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Robert Earl Jones | ... |
Buford
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Patricia Pearcy | ... |
Mary Elizabeth
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| Millie Perkins | ... |
Frances Mansfield
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| Steve Railsback | ... |
Junior
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Tom Spratley | ... |
Mister Peeples
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Charles Willeford | ... |
Ed Middleton
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Pete Munro | ... |
Packard
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Kermit Echols | ... |
Fred Reed
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Frank Mansfield has wanted to win the Cockfighter of the Year medal for ages. Frank never speaks. After shooting his mouth off one too many times then losing a champion rooster in a casual hotel room cockfight, he swore never to speak again until he's won that award... He makes a bet with old crony Jack to be settled at the upcoming meet. Frank puts his car and his trailer on the line; he loses. Jack gets the trailer, and Frank's part-time girlfriend who goes with it. Frank's long-time girlfriend Mary Elizabeth wants him to get serious and settle down. But Frank has to raise some money for a new cock - $500 - then he can form a partnership with fellow cocksman Omar Baradansky and make another try for that medal... Written by David Woodfield
Monte Hellman and Sam Peckinpah recognized the particular genius of Warren Oates, and it saddens me to think that younger film goers know little about Oates, and even less about Hellman. Makes a good companion piece for "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia." Although both films have similar plot devices, the performances by Oates are bravely unique, and moving in their fearless creativity.
The DVD includes a documentary about Oates that is a welcome companion to the feature. Esteemed critic David Thomson points out that Oates was not afraid to play dumb (unlike his occasional co-star Jack Nicholson, who always has to show the audience his underlying intelligence as a safeguard). And the commentary track, although low in volume, is worth leaning close and listening to 'back stage' stories about the production. In particular: Roger Corman's angry reaction to the final scene written for the final draft of the script.
This final scene of the movie is poetic and ambiguous, nothing you'd expect from a so-called exploitation picture. Maybe that's why Corman didn't approve. "Cockfighter" is at least half documentary, with real people in supporting roles, and filming real contests in cockpits in Georgia. Because Oates was so authentic, it would be easy to forget that this is a well-crafted performance from one of the most under-rated film actors who ever lived.