Open Range (2003)

A former gunslinger is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman.

Director:

Kevin Costner

Writers:

Lauran Paine (novel), Craig Storper (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Diego Luna

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Duvall	...	Boss Spearman
Kevin Costner	...	Charley Waite
Annette Bening	...	Sue Barlow
Michael Gambon	...	Denton Baxter
Michael Jeter	...	Percy
Diego Luna	...	Button
James Russo	...	Sheriff Poole
Abraham Benrubi	...	Mose
Dean McDermott	...	Doc Barlow
Kim Coates	...	Butler
Herb Kohler	...	Cafe Man
Peter MacNeill	...	Mack
Cliff Saunders	...	Ralph
Patricia Stutz	...	Ralph's Wife (as Pat Stutz)
Julian Richings	...	Wylie

Storyline

Boss Spearman, Charley Waite, Mose Harrison and Button freegraze their cattle across the vast prairies of the West, sharing a friendship forged by a steadfast code of honor and living a life unencumbered by civilization. When their wayward herd forces them near the small town of Harmonville, the cowboys encounter a corrupt sheriff and kingpin rancher who govern the territory through fear, tyranny and violence. Boss and Charley find themselves inextricably drawn towards an inevitable showdown, as they are forced to defend the freedom and values of a lifestyle that is all too quickly vanishing. Amidst the turmoil, life suddenly takes an unexpected turn for the loner Charley when he meets the beautiful and warm spirited Sue Barlow, a woman who embraces both his heart and his soul.

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Plot Keywords:

boss | cattle | rancher | violence | cowboy | 

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Taglines:

No place to run. No reason to hide.

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Genres:

Action | Romance | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pacto de justicia

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£424,954 (UK) (19 March 2004)

Gross:

£872,843 (UK) (26 March 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Cobalt Media Group, Beacon Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tig was not only the name of the dog in the movie, but also the name of the film's production company. Tig was also the name of Kevin Costner's Grandmother.

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Goofs

(at around 10 mins) There are many cattle on the hill in the background which disappear in the next shot (at around 14 mins)

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Quotes

[first lines]
Boss Spearman: [indicating a thunderstorm] Think she'll get over this-a-way?
Charley Waite: Might.
Boss Spearman: Best bed 'em down.

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Connections

Featured in Beyond the 'Open Range' (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Holding All My Love for You"
Written by Michael Kamen (BMI) and Julianna Raye (BMI)
Performed by Julianna Raye
Produced by James Harrah
(P) (C) K-Man Corp. (BMI) / Ziffy Music, Inc. (BMI) / Open Range Productions USA, Inc. (BMI)

User Reviews

4 Reasons Why I Love This Film

They don't westerns that much anymore, at least on the big screen. People in the Baby Boomer generation grew up with them on television. Western films were big at the box office in several decades, too.

Well, at least Kevin Costner must have a heart for the genre as he been involved with several major western productions in the last 15 years, this the latest.

The best thing I can say about this film right out front is that it may be the best western I've ever watched. I can't give it higher praise than that! Since I've seen so many, for so long, it's especially high praise.

I make this bold statement because of the following:

1 - Fantastic scenery and beautiful cinematography. If it looks spectacular on my 24-inch flat-screen, I can't imagine how awesome it would be a big plasma set.

2 - Characters you really care about, led by three actors who almost always give solid performances: Robert Duvall (the best in here), Costner and Annette Bening. Duvall, by the way, gives one of the best short "speeches" I've ever witnessed in a movie. It was nice to see Bening actually play a wholesome woman for a change. The two men who are out on the range with Duvall and Costner also were excellent.

3 - Just the right amount of action. When the action does occur, such as gunfire, the sound is incredible. This might be one of the best movies, audibly-speaking, I've ever heard, which is another reason for ranking it Number One. There are no lulls but not a ton of action, either.

4 - Just the right amount of romance. It doesn't get sappy, it doesn't overshadow the basic story, but it adds a nice, soft touch to what could be a very rough and unpleasant tale. And, in a different twist, it's the romance, not the usual climactic gun battle, that ends this film.

I can't say enough about this movie except that I'm sorry more westerns like it aren't made today.