Deadwood (2004–2006)

A show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime.

Creator:

David Milch

Stars:

Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 16 wins & 48 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Timothy Olyphant	...	Seth Bullock (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Ian McShane	...	Al Swearengen (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Molly Parker	...	Alma Garret (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Brad Dourif	...	Doc Cochran (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
W. Earl Brown	...	Dan Dority (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
John Hawkes	...	Sol Star (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Paula Malcomson	...	Trixie (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Dayton Callie	...	Charlie Utter (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Leon Rippy	...	Tom Nuttall (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
William Sanderson	...	E.B. Farnum (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Robin Weigert	...	Calamity Jane (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Sean Bridgers	...	Johnny Burns (36 episodes, 2004-2006)
Jim Beaver	...	Whitney Ellsworth (35 episodes, 2004-2006)
Jeffrey Jones	...	A.W. Merrick (35 episodes, 2004-2006)
Bree Seanna Wall	...	Sofia Metz (35 episodes, 2004-2006)
Kim Dickens	...	Joanie Stubbs (34 episodes, 2004-2006)
Powers Boothe	...	Cy Tolliver (34 episodes, 2004-2006)
Titus Welliver	...	Silas Adams (27 episodes, 2004-2006)
Peter Jason	...	Con Stapleton (26 episodes, 2004-2006)
Anna Gunn	...	Martha Bullock (24 episodes, 2005-2006)
Larry Cedar	...	Leon (24 episodes, 2004-2006)
Geri Jewell	...	Jewel (22 episodes, 2004-2006)
Ralph Richeson	...	Richardson (19 episodes, 2004-2006)
Keone Young	...	Mr. Wu (18 episodes, 2004-2006)
Garret Dillahunt	...	Francis Wolcott (16 episodes, 2004-2005)

Storyline

The town of Deadwood, South Dakota in the weeks following the Custer massacre is a lawless sinkhole of crime and corruption. Into this uncivilized outpost ride a disillusioned and bitter ex-lawman, Wild Bill Hickok, and Seth Bullock, a man hoping to find a new start for himself. Both men find themselves quickly on opposite sides of the legal and moral fence from Al Swearengen, saloon owner, hotel operator, and incipient boss of Deadwood. The lives of these three intertwine with many others, the high-minded and the low-lifes who populate Deadwood in 1876.

---

Plot Keywords:

south dakota | saloon | mining town | female nudity | tough guy | 

---

Taglines:

Fortune comes with a price.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Western

---

Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

HBO [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Deadwood, pueblo corrupto

Filming Locations:

Frazier Park, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Paramount Network Television, Home Box Office (HBO), Paramount Network Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The word "fuck" and its derivatives are used 2,980 times throughout the series.

---

Goofs

The series shows Seth Bullock and Sol Starr witness Wild Bill Hickok's arrival in Deadwood, however in reality, Wild Bill arrived in Deadwood two weeks prior to Bullock. Bullock arrived in Deadwood on 1 August 1876, the day before Bill was killed by Jack McCall.

---

Quotes

E.B. Farnum: God damned quagmire of piss and bull shit!

---

Connections

Referenced in Conan: Mr. Gorbachev, Put Up Some Drapes! (2012)

User Reviews

Polished yet in the rough

Though i never considered myself a western fan, i realize i've seen a good many, from the Anthony Mann masterpieces, to Leone's revolutionary films, to more recent flicks like Unforgiven. But none has moved me like Deadwood. While the series did have some ups and downs (like life itself), it is truly enchanting. The season finale alone is one of the most moving things i've seen on TV, and having rewatched it many times (the joy of tivo) i still find myself driven to tears. The dialog is fantastic, bordering on Shakespearean at times as others have pointed out. Its a shame that so many seem to be bothered by the language, perhaps i am just overly jaded. Remember though that profanity at that time was predominantly based on religion (or rather defiance of such). These days of course, hellfire and tarnation don't have quite the same effect. If the dialog were more "period", i imagine it would be like watching yosemite sam cast as swearengen (heaven forbid). In their translations of Kurasawa movies, Critereon has faced the same issues, and i agree with their and David Milch's choice. Stay true to the meaning and feeling, more than the literal. Especially with profanity, this is key. Profanity's entire purpose is to offend, and if it becomes through age or paradigm shift inoffensive, it loses all meaning and effectiveness. It helps bring us into the world of deadwood, and better understand and relate to the characters who live there. Which, IMHO, is a wondrous thing to experience.