OPEN RANGE (2003)

Every decade or so, either Clint Eastwood or Kevin Costner makes an artistic and entertaining western in an attempt to revive the genre. This time it was Costner's turn, and what he did was absolutely astonishing. He wanted to return to the simple and bare-bones idea of the west and what it was, both in reality and in our minds. He succeeded on a grand scale, but in doing so may have gone even further than what he intended. In many respects, the film Costner made, is a silent western.The story of two saddle pals grazing their cattle on free range until the evil rancher holding court over a town and all the land surrounding it attempts to stop them is a staple of the west. It will always force a confrontation between good and evil, as it does here. Just as in the legendary "Shane," Costner's character, Charley Waite, has a deadly past he would just as soon forget. It is a side he has not even revealed to his traveling companion of ten years, Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall).There is something mythic about this omission. It shows how the west really was, with good men being able to size each other up and not ask questions about their past. Boss is a seasoned and tough cowboy who has always suspected the gun on Charley's hip had many stories to tell, but respected the man wearing it enough to know if he had wanted him to know, he would have told him.The image of the soft-spoken cowboy whose dog means as much to him as any man, is shown not once, but twice: once with the death of Charley's dog at the hands of those trying to drive them off the range, and another when Charley saves another cowboy's dog from drowning. It was the one attachment a man could have without worry. His dog was a loyal friend who could never be turned."Open Range" takes on mythic preportions because it remains simple, emphasizing the values of loyalty and goodness we associate with our image of the cowboy. It also elaborates on another thread in the fabric we know as the west; the fact that good men sometimes had to do bad things in order to enforce those values. It was the willingness and courage of men like Charley and Boss that would shape the west into a place where people could live free.Costner's homage to the American cowboy and gunfighter also shows the old-fasioned side of men who spent long hours together but were flustered at the sight of a pretty woman, having seen one so seldom. Charley's reluctance to engage in a romance with the pretty sister of the town's doctor is born not only of shyness, but his shame at some of the killing he has done. He feels she will look at him in disgust if she knew what real violence was like, and learn that no man is more capable of it than he. It is tender and sweet, and reminds us of our basic humanity and our need for love. The final scene between Charley and Sue (Annette Bening) will remind anyone familiar with silent films, of a D.W. Griffith scene. It has that same sentimental sweetness as many he directed with Lillian Gish.The gunfight is one of the greatest ever filmed. It is long and ugly, just as they really were. Charley's speech to Boss as he preps the tough cowboy about what is to come, and how each man will react, is one of the great moments in western film history. It is not the gunfight itself, however, which adds meaning to the outcome. It is Charley's loneliness, shown by his picking out a pattern for a gift to Sue should he not survive. You truly get the sense he would almost prefer he did not, so he would not have to face her once he reveals the violence which is second nature to him.Costner shows the women of the west to be something special also. Bening's character, Sue, may own some good china, but she can drink from a tin cup and tend to the wounded as well. She is strong, as women who went west had to be, but does not lose her femininity.There are fine performances here from Costner, Duvall, and Annette Bening. The supporting cast is equally good, with Michael Jeter memorable in his final film. Michael Gambon, Diego Luna, Abraham Benrubi, and Dean McDermott round out this tale of the changing west. There are breathtaking shots of the open prairie that are matched by a western saga that is timeless, and could easily have been told in the early days of motion pictures.The story here is so simple, and it's implementation so direct, that some failed to see its greatness. It ranks right up there with "Shane" in my book. There is a timeless feel to the storytelling here. One thinks of silent westerns made from old-fashioned books like "Riders of the Purple Sage" when watching this. Films with sound and those without are two different art forms with a strong connection to each other. Costner managed to bridge the gap between those art forms in "Open Range" and the results are unforgettable. If you doubt this, next time you're watching it, turn off the sound. You'll be able to follow the story without it. It might even help you appreciate the beauty of what Costner has done here.

One of the most beautiful screens on the scene of a movieThe picture was really good on this Blu-ray of open Range so I did better than others this is one of the better than others but my Independence Day Steelbook Prince of Persia Avatar to list a few that the picture is just outstanding truly one of my favorites as far as westerns or just movies in general

Good film about the open range period . Duvall and Costner work well together and Annette Benning adds to the level of acting. Top ten western.

good quality, bought this for my husband for xmas, I actually liked it also and I'm not into westerns, the story was great, acting was terrific

great movie , good acting and great action and scenery shots

No issues.

Great video

Good movie

'Open Range' is an old-fashioned, slow-moving and beautifully made western. I'd almost resigned myself to the fact that 'they don't make 'em like that anymore', but very occasionally they still do. I regard 'Dances with Wolves', 'Unforgiven', 'Tombstone' and 'Open Range' as the best westerns made over the past 40 years. Recommended.

This western has very soft & acceptable undertones? Two nice guys with values, a love interest for Kev, a loyalty to look after those around you – God damn it, there are even dogs in this film! I mean, what’s right is right ain’t it and if it offends you, then it needs sorting out don’t it?Even allowing for all of these rather uncowboyish traits, there are still lots of nasty baddies, a good story line and the last hour is a real blast as the guns come out. The cinematography is lovely on the eye.This is a really enjoyable film to watch, especially so if you like happy endings? This film doesn’t have the cutting edge of, say, ‘The 3.10 to Yuma’ but in its own way it’s still thoroughly enjoyable - it just has a much softer approach that’s all.

Since the days of Lonesome Dove, Robert Duvall has made something of a speciality of playing an ageing cowboy fighting for his rights in the old west. Here we have Open Range, which like Broken Trail that followed it, is set against a back drop of the beautiful and expansive terrain of Alberta, Canada, which doubles as the sprawling prairies of the mid-west. The common scenario is that of driving a large herd of cattle (or horses) and dealing with various bad men on the way. In this case he is directed very ably by Kevin Costner, who also stars. The main bad guy is Michael Gambon who, as a ruthless landowner, objects to the US government's policy of free grazing rights on the open prairie. It is a very well made, and directed, western which culminates in a major extended shoot out, arguably the best in the western genre. The love interest is provided by Annette Bening, who puts in a very strong performance. All in all, an entertaining and satisfying movie. Highly recommended.

The blu Ray reviews are the same as the dvd reviews. The product description is German and English. No mention of subtitles up front.I got the bue Ray as the reviews were so good and never spoke about subtitles. So using dvd reviews for the blu Ray is very devious. I trust this review gets posted.

Well written & directed film starring Kevin Costner & Robert Duvall who represent 2 men who are changing their past to a more realistic way of live, which is rekindled when they are forced to fight for their new lives. A must see classic.