Open Range
In 1882 open range cattleman Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) is driving a herd through Montana assisted by cowhands Charley (Kevin Costner), Mose and Button. They stop for supplies near Harmonville, a town run by land baron, Denton Baxter. Baxter despises the practice of open range grazing. Sent to town for supplies, Mose is assaulted and jailed by the town marshal.
When Mose fails to return, Boss and Charlie go to town and retrieve him from jail; but not before being told to take their cattle and clear out. They seek out the local Doctor to have Mose’ injuries treated. There Charlie meets and is instantly attracted to Sue (Annette Bening), who he believes to be the Doctor’s wife.
Baxter men are seen watching the herd. Boss and Charley surprise them in their camp for the night. While they are away from the herd other men raid their camp. Mose is killed and Button is badly injured. Boss and Charley take Button to the doctor, where Charley learns Sue is the doc’s sister. Romance flowers.
Bent on vengeance Boss and Charley face off against Baxter’s men. Charley kills the man responsible for killing Mose and wounding Button. Hopelessly outnumbered in a fierce gun battle, the situation looks grim, until town’s people join the fight to rid themselves of Baxter. When the tide turns, a wounded Baxter takes cover in the jail. Boss shoots his way in and finishes him.
Charley and Boss decide to give up the cattle business and settle in Harmonville. They buy the saloon and Charley gets the girl.
The film hit it big at the box office earning $68.3 million on a $22 million budget. Production wasn’t easy or cheap. Costner spent a million dollars constructing ‘Harmonville’; because none of the existing western town sets suited him. He spent another $40 thousand to build a road to the remote location. The film drew critical acclaim for cinematography and gunfight realism.
Next Week: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
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Ride easy,
Paul
When Mose fails to return, Boss and Charlie go to town and retrieve him from jail; but not before being told to take their cattle and clear out. They seek out the local Doctor to have Mose’ injuries treated. There Charlie meets and is instantly attracted to Sue (Annette Bening), who he believes to be the Doctor’s wife.
Baxter men are seen watching the herd. Boss and Charley surprise them in their camp for the night. While they are away from the herd other men raid their camp. Mose is killed and Button is badly injured. Boss and Charley take Button to the doctor, where Charley learns Sue is the doc’s sister. Romance flowers.
Bent on vengeance Boss and Charley face off against Baxter’s men. Charley kills the man responsible for killing Mose and wounding Button. Hopelessly outnumbered in a fierce gun battle, the situation looks grim, until town’s people join the fight to rid themselves of Baxter. When the tide turns, a wounded Baxter takes cover in the jail. Boss shoots his way in and finishes him.
Charley and Boss decide to give up the cattle business and settle in Harmonville. They buy the saloon and Charley gets the girl.
The film hit it big at the box office earning $68.3 million on a $22 million budget. Production wasn’t easy or cheap. Costner spent a million dollars constructing ‘Harmonville’; because none of the existing western town sets suited him. He spent another $40 thousand to build a road to the remote location. The film drew critical acclaim for cinematography and gunfight realism.
Next Week: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
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Ride easy,
Paul
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Jean
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Jun 02, 2021 05:12AM
I particularly enjoyed Annette Benning. She went w/o makeup and I don't think she could have been more beautiful. The good girl goes and soothes the savage beast. Any western that Duvall and Costner are involved will always have my attention for sure.
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Jean wrote: "I particularly enjoyed Annette Benning. She went w/o makeup and I don't think she could have been more beautiful. The good girl goes and soothes the savage beast. Any western that Duvall and Costne..."Do agree on all counts, Jean. Thanks for the comment.
