Silverado (1985)

A misfit bunch of friends comes together to right the injustices which exist in a small town.

Director:

Lawrence Kasdan

Writers:

Lawrence Kasdan, Mark Kasdan

Stars:

Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Kline	...	Paden
Scott Glenn	...	Emmett
Kevin Costner	...	Jake
Danny Glover	...	Mal
Marvin J. McIntyre	...	Clerk
Brad Leland	...	Trooper (as Brad Williams)
Sheb Wooley	...	Cavalry Sergeant
Jonathan Kasdan	...	Boy at Outpost (as Jon Kasdan)
John Cleese	...	Sheriff Langston
Todd Allen	...	Deputy Kern
Kenny Call	...	Deputy Block
Bill Thurman	...	Carter
Meg Kasdan	...	Barmaid
Dick Durock	...	Bar Fighter
Gene Hartline	...	Bar Fighter

Storyline

In 1880, four men travel together to the city of Silverado. They come across many dangers before they finally engage the "bad guys" and bring peace and equality back to the city.

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Plot Keywords:

new mexico desert | small town | new mexico territory | wild west | pistol duel | 

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Taglines:

Ride with them to the adventure of your life!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

First of three films to co-star Kevin Kline and John Cleese. They would also work together in A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and Fierce Creatures (1997). Interestingly too, John Cleese took over Kevin Kline's role, as the Police Commissioner, in Steve Martin's "Pink Panther" films.

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Goofs

The town of Silverado is a busy, bustling place with people everywhere on the streets and sidewalks even though views from far away reveal that it is tiny, in the middle of nowhere, and with no ranches or farms in sight.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Emmett saves Paden's life with a sip of water from his canteen after discovering him abandoned and baking in the desert]
Paden: Pleased to meet you.

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Connections

Referenced in Demon Queen (1987)

User Reviews

Entertaining, but not innovative enough

Many of the reviews say _Silverado_ broke new ground for the Western genre, but I would argue that while it was undoubtedly good escapist fun, it was more derivative than innovative.

Sure, the conversations often seem much more natural than those from other Westerns, and indeed most of the characters are drawn with more dimensions intact, but the entire script could have been pulled together by pulling scenes from a bag full of ideas from other movies. Not to mention the locations, which I could have sworn I recognized from films like _The Big Country_ and anything by John Ford.

For example, Brian Dennehy did a fine job, but you could tell who his character was just by the fact that Dennehy was cast in the role. Many of his characters share the traits of Sheriff Cobb (more than this, I won't say here).

I have to say that as a firm non-fan of Kevin Costner, even I have to admit he did fine here as well... as did all the lead actors. Their careers since _Silverado_ have demonstrated that this was an unusually gifted ensemble.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Silverado

Filming Locations:

Bonanza Creek Ranch - 15 Bonanza Creek Lane, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,522,897, 14 July 1985

Gross USA:

$32,192,570

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$32,192,570

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Delphi IV Productions, Eaves Movie Ranch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1