Open Range [DVD]

In one sense, this is one of those "instantly classic" movies, mainly because of the archetypal characters and the way it wears its moral heart on its sleeve. Nothing wrong with that at all, especially in a Western: goodies and baddies are firmly stamped as such, as in High Noon (reverent pause), so that good can be pitted directly versus evil and we know from the first shot whose side we're on. A man's gotta do the do, get the girl, avenge various fallen (including, yup, the dawg) and such.Them's buddies in that thar lead, too, so you also get the Butch and Sundance touch, echoed again in the astounding photography: distant riders, quick, close, explosive gun-play and some digitally-composited landscapes that combine gobsmacking verisimilitude (you can only really spot some of the work in the less finished, added DVD scenes) with a painterly beauty that does as much to reinforce the film's value system - this is so lovely it's got to be right - as the central conflict between corrupt ranchers and cowboys. There's even a young Latino sidekick to be rescued, à la Wild Bunch (other reverent pause).In another way, though, Open Range is an absolute original. In addition to the (literally) impossibly lovely landscaping, there is a grit and reality to story and characterisation that injects the modern back into the classic and comes up with something of unique quality. Michael Gambon's villain, for instance, is definitely a cut above your usual bad guy: yes, he hams it up - but it's prime quality ham and pitched just right for the film's pace, which alternates between leisurely celebration of the imagery and relationships (as in Dances with Wolves) and cutting straight to the shoot-outs and face-offs. Abraham Benrubi, of revered ER regular status (Jerry on Reception), pulls off one of the great character-studies early on, the loveable innocent hulk we get to bond with before events concerning his treatment set the violent cycle in motion. Annette Benning's girl is not just to be "won," but also understood and respected for the sensibility she brings to bear on the old stand-by-your-man cliché.Put the above together and what we ultimately have is a "traditional" Western that takes full and rewarding advantage of all the new tricks in cinematography and characterisation, and uses them to embellish the familiar template and serve us up a truly sumptuous work. The leads have conversations that occasionally sound like Elmore Leonard (most reverent pause so far) could have chiselled them into one of his early cowboy tales (read 'em if you haven't). The gun-fights do for the genre what Saving Private Ryan did for beach "heroics": those who get shot are not just fragmented - the Pekinpah blood-bag brought uncomfortably up to date - but get punched through short distances, tumbled and slammed in a breathtakingly percussive effect.The shoot-outs (and the final one is definitely an all-time great) have an unchoreographed, sporadic look that is actually more striking and nail-biting than the more familiar "ceremonies" we know and love from the more spaghetti-flavoured elements. Kudos to Costner for yet another reputation-redeeming feat in his direction here. Those of you who loved that other redefining Western, Silverado, will probably dig as much as I do the original touches constantly put in (think of them as little highlighting brush-strokes against the bigger canvas of the story): chocolate and cigars before the show-down; a tea-service for the heroine; and many more like that. In the bar at one point, Duvall issues a public challenge to the corrupt Marshal, at once rousing yet understated, rhetorical yet intimate, a subtle rallying call to the townsfolk and a characteristic bit of philosophical defiance. You think to yourself: nice old-fashioned touch - actually a speech but put across as dialogue. Then, once outside, the script has Duvall quietly ask Costner: "How d'ye think ma speech went?" Perfect!Saving the best till last here: of all the fine facets of Open Range, the biggest treat is Robert Duvall's study of a man who, in the words of another admiring character, "sure knows how to cowboy." This is a fantastic, authentic performance by an actor at the top of his game. In his seniority, Duvall has achieved a resonance and perception that, for my money, outstrips most things done by deNiro in his later years - in fact, he's turned out to be a better "older actor" than many of the peers who took more limelight in their collective youth. This is an absolutely beautiful performance, alone worth the money you may care to put into acquiring the disk and the time you spend with the film. Duvall develops an individual character, a relationship and, ultimately, a whole way of life and value system with his voice, his entire body - and it's wonderful to experience.

It's for a Christmas present but I've seen the film before he should like it.

No annoying interruptions which is quite a regular Amazon feature

Brilliant

I have now seen three Robert Duvall westerns, Lonesome Dove, Open Range and Broken Trail. Duvall plays a similar character but different, in them all, but is thoroughly believable as a tough no nonsense man of the West who merely wishes to be allowed to live according to his strong moral convictions. In Open Range he plays an old hard bitten free grazer, moving his herd across the open range to the annoyance of a large ranch owner who also rules the town through a thuggish marshall.Kevin Costner plays Duvall's right hand and for most of the time plays well. Where this film is let down, is by the love angle, I presume Kevin wanting to appear the great lover as well as the tough guy, and the end is protracted and somewhat boring as Kevin cosies up with the most eligible woman in town.However, this is a good western when compared to say many John Wayne movies. It is dark, the violence is sharp with a sense of natural justice. The gun play is mostly believable, but Kevin appears to have a ten shot revolver. The filming in Wyoming is stunning, moody skies rather than the blue of Texas and green everywhere rather than desert scrub. A pity that a five star movie if left to Duvall becomes a four star movie due to Kevin's extraordinary ego, but I like it a lot.

Still think this is one of Costner's best films and one of the best Westerns.Watched it a few times.

Ok there are reviews about this film already on the internet which do the film justice so i will pretty much cover the bits about this product which i wanted to know when buying the film on Blu Rya but could not get a definate answer for.The Film transfer at the begining of the film does not appear to be the best but it appears to xsharpen as it goes along. The sound is clear and crisp but then its proberbly a lot better if you have a proper sound set up.The film is indeed a Region B and plays on my Blu ray player and PS3 from the intro from Kevin Costner it is a special edition. The whole of the box is in german including the on screen menu. The film does play in English and the subtitle can be turnd off either in film or on the menu which as previously stated is in German but is easy enough to navigate (I have little ability in reading German).The special features all appear to be in SD and play in English with German subtitles.Ultimately if you liked the film its worth adding to the collection and is a excellent Cow boy film and if you watch it enough you may be able to pick up some German to boot.

This is a masterclass in making a real western. Reminiscent of the old slow burners with a modern kick, the script is flawless and the leading characters are well rounded, excellent performances (as ever) by Duval as the hardened herdsmen and Kostner as the man with a past, their two young helpers Abraham Benrubi and Diego Luna add the initial light entertainment and Annette Benning breaks the dark mood of the film with her beauty and charm. Michael Gambon provides the villain of the piece with his hired henchmen who create the impossible scenario which our protagonists fall foul of in the usual way that you would in the wild west. Little do they know that they have come up against a formidable foe whose general calm, polite manner turns dark, cold and vengeful when they push too far. The third act of the film has one of the grittiest gunfights I've ever seen in a western, and that's saying something given the genre. Great western, best I've seen in years.