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:

Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Diego Luna

1 win & 5 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 (Robert Duvall), Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose Harrison (Abraham Benrubi), and Button (Diego Luna) 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 the corrupt Sheriff Poole (James Russo) and kingpin rancher Denton Baxter (Sir Michael Gambon), 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 (Annette Bening), a woman who embraces both his heart and his soul.

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Plot Keywords:

revisionist western | vigilantism | good versus evil | villain | hero | 

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Taglines:

No place to run. No reason to hide.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | 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:

Open Range

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,047,781, 17 August 2003

Gross USA:

$58,331,254

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$68,296,293

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

Clayton Lefthand of the Stoney (Nakoda Sioux) worked as a film liaison.

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Goofs

The building under construction on main street is being built using modern framing techniques and is built from modern, dimensional lumber. Buildings were mostly "post & beam" type back then and "rough cut" lumber was used for building construction well into the 20th century.

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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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Alternate Versions

AMC version severely edits Butler's death. The sound of the gunshot that kills him is played at a lower volume, and the scenes of him falling back is sped up, so as to avoid showing the hole in his head from the shot.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Modern Westerns (2015)

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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

A Contemporary Classic Western

The cowboys Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and Button (Diego Luna) are conducting their cattle herd through the fields of the West. Boss and Spearman have been friends for ten years, and they have an special affection and friendship for Button, Mose and his dog Dig. Boss requests Mose to return to a small town nearby and buy some supplies for the rest of their journey. Mose never comes back, and Boss and Charley decides to check what happened with him. They find Moses beaten and arrested in the jail by the corrupt Sheriff Poole (James Russo), accused of fighting against the men of a powerful local rancher, Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon). Boss and Charley bring Mose to the local doctor, Barlow (Dean McDermott), where Charley falls in love for his sister, Sue Barlow (Annette Bening). They return to their camping, they are attacked by Baxter's men and Mose and Dig are killed and Button is seriously wounded. The two old cowboys return to the town looking for justice. "Open Range" is one of the best contemporary western, with the characters very well constructed and an engaging low paced story having action, drama and romance. The performance of the cast, highlighting Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner, and the direction of Kevin Costner are magnificent. I believe in the future "Open Range" will be considered a classic in the genre. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Pacto de Justiça" ("Pact of Justice")