Imdb does this movie a great dis-service with their paltry description: "A former gunslinger is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman."
It is far more than that. Open Range is based upon author Lauran Paine's 1990 romantic western novel 'The Open Range Men.' Yes, ladies, 'romantic western.' It has a most mesmerizing romance between the Bening and Costner characters woven throughout the story. It also has a critically acclaimed climactic shootout, masterfully staged with the shock and suddenness of a real-life, running gun battle. It's a tour de force, imho, and one of the finest examples of the classic American western movie - the likes of which will probably never be produced again. Why this film didn't win an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, or Best Cinematography is beyond me.
"Sounds like you got it all worked out."Screen play by Craig Storper. Directed by Kevin Costner. Runtime: 139 minutes (nevermind what the youtube says)
"Yeah, except the part where we don't get killed."
A quick production note: "Robert Duvall was the only actor that Costner had in mind for the role of Boss Spearman. Costner said that if Duvall had turned down the part, he might not have made the movie at all. Duvall accepted the role immediately, and Costner gave him top billing. Duvall got bucked off a horse and broke six ribs while practicing his riding for this role."
Public domain, available on youtube.
