Set in the early 1880s, this Western directed by Kevin Costner (DANCES WITH WOLVES, THE POSTMAN) is a classic tale of the good guys verses the bad guys with a romance thrown in for good measure. Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) and Charley Waite (Kevin Costner) are free grazers, riding herds of cattle across the country and grazing as they go. But a local rancher, Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon), considers Boss and his boys thieves, and is determined to run them out of his town by any means possible--even murder. Duvall is endearing as the tough but tender Boss, who has the courage of his convictions and refuses to be intimidated by Baxter. Costner's Charley has worked for Boss for ten years while trying to forget his past, only to find himself drawn back into conflict. Lovable Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and teenager Button (Diego Luna) round out the free grazers' team. Annette Bening stars as the town doctor's sister, Sue, who is drawn to Charley's gentle demeanor and is unfazed by his ability to kill. Beautiful scenery, a script peppered with humor, and solid performances--especially from Duvall and the supporting cast--make Costner's fourth foray into directing enjoyable.
Theatrical Release: August 15, 2003
DVD Features:
Region 1
2-Disc Set
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English
Distributor Notes: Open Range
Packed with epic action, OPEN RANGE is a powerfully gripping story that's never been told until now, and stars Academy Award(R) winners Robert Duvall (1983 Best Actor, TENDER MERCIES) and Kevin Costner (1991 Best Director, DANCES WITH WOLVES), and Academy Award(R) nominee Annette Bening (1999 Best Actress, AMERICAN BEAUTY). A group of free grazers, four men trying to escape their past, are driving cattle and living off the land on the open range -- a place where nature makes the only laws. When a ruthless, evil rancher tries to run them out of town, the men's peaceful existence takes a tumultuous turn and ends in the grittiest, most explosive gunfight on film as two men battle a town for honor, justice, and a way of life that's quickly disappearing.
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Executive Producer
Armyan Bernstein: Screenwriter/Director/Prod.
Executive Producer
Craig Storper: Screenwriter, OPEN RANGE (2003)
Source Writer
Lauran Paine: Source Writer, OPEN RANGE (2003)
Director of Photography
James Muro: Director of Photography, OPEN RANGE (2003)
Review 1:
"...[Costner] has studied the great old westerns closely, and his reverence pays off in the grandeur of the images..."
Source: New York Times
p.E1 08/15/2003
Review 2:
"...An authentic old-fashioned epic likely to generate rooting interest from moviegoing traditionalists..."
Source: USA Today
p.4E 08/15/2003
Review 3:
"...The rush of events combines with the acting and the sense of place to propel and validate Costner's efforts to a surprising extent..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C1 08/15/2003
Review 4:
"...Costner shows an exacting instinct for how to build a shoot-'em-up from the ground up..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.113 08/22/2003
Review 5:
"A deeply involving and beautifully made Western."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.29 01/23/2004
Review 6:
"Costner's sedate, painstakingly naturalistic, squarely traditional Western striding into town to deliver a masterclass in cacophony and choreography."
Source: Total Film
p.37 04/01/2004
Review 7:
"What makes the film seem fresh and new is a host of deft little touches....Costner is likeable as a good and honest man, and Annette Bening splendid..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.61-2 04/01/2004