I really like this movie. It's unusual that Costner would make a modern western using the old worn out cliche of strangers going to a town, finding out the local big rancher owns the place including the sherriff, blah, blah, bah. But it works here becouse of the two primary characters relationships with each other.
The pros:
Probably the most realistic shootout on film (not that I ever saw one). The way Costner suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome from a violent past and how his freind keeps him in check, the way he starts the gunfight, and his repore with Robert Duval.
The cons:
Costner's hat looks like a 1930's Buck Jones B-western hat. What's with that? Everyone (except Duval and the bad guy) carry generic Colt SAA's with wood grips. Didn't Costner ever watch Tombstone? Ever hear of S&W? Colt double actions? And the bad guys are pretty one dimensional who's only purpose in life seems to eventually be killed by Costner and Duval for our viewing pleasure.
Well, that's my fim critique of the day.

I haven't watched it a couple of years (got it on DVD around here somewhere) but if I'm remembering it correctly, I came away from it with the lesson "Don't mess with the quiet guy's dog."

I liked it.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I liked the fact the doctor woman wasnt hot, but plain looking as most in real life. A lot of these westerns seem to be cast in canada lately. If I was to cretic one thing it would be that flood scene. As a kid we would play in water that high and fast. Actualy, I liked costners hat.

That's right about the woman. The lack in vanity for her to do that film appearing to wear no makeup was very realistic. You can tell 1950's westerns my the glossy makeup the women wear which really date it to the 50's.

One of my favorite western movies. Maybe not top 3 but real close.

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I drank what? - Socrates

Another Duvall movie made about the same time as Open Range that I just discovered is Secondhand Lions with Michael Caine. What a hoot!!

(Also has another of my favorite actresses, Kyra Sedgwick.)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Annette Bening not hot?



Just kiddin' I know what you mean. I enjoy that film alot, the main characters seem pretty well developed, even if the story is "old as the hills".

Last ten minutes of movie. Bad guys are lined up in the street with Duvall and Costner aproaching. "Are you the guy who shot our friend" Bad guy "yes I am and I shot the kid too" Costner pulls his gun and shoots the bad guy thru the scull. BUTT THEN Costner follows and keeps shooting another bad guy about 15 times. Maybe the first wonder nine Colt. If your not a purest, which I ain't, I thought it was a great movie. Duvall is one hell of an actor. Ever seen Tender Mercies? Beats Crazy Heart all to hell for realism.

A great movie. One of my favorites. I remember reading an interview article with Costner just before the movie was released. He was asked about the shoot-out with the hired guns and said something about how loud the guns were and how hectic a real life shoot-out would be. I guess so! By the way, not to cast any dispersion on the film, but have any of you ever counted the shots Costner fires from his "six" shooter in the confrontation scene... it's more like a 10-12 shooter...

JcMack we're thinking alike...

Sip can speak to this better than most I imagine, but even if the script is technically correct and the shooter switches guns or whatnot, a lot of times the continuity is lost in editing to get the best shots, and makes it appear that the six shooters shoot forever. The old TV westerns didn't (for the most part)give the audience credit for being smart enough to notice and the writers didn't think "realism" mattered.

That's why I like Michael Mann's movies - the actors are taught to handle the weapons realistically and they pay attention to the details that others don't that drive those of us on gun forums nutz.

There was a HBO (I think) movie a few years ago called "Lost Battalion". Based on a WWI event that actually occurred. Ricky Shroeder stared and did an excellent job. Movie was very good using period correct props.. 1911 guys picked it appart with wrong grips, safetys, etc. blah, blah, blah.. How far can you go with realism. Ever seen "Patton" with the Germans comming thru the Kasserein Pass in M60's?

If you never seen Duvall in "the appostal", get it! I was raised penticostal and duvall certainly must have went to those churchs when I did to get the acting down so pat! I really think duvall is about the best of all time actors! Another actor I think is great james garner. That guy has got a rubber face for every expression you can think of and is really laid back!

In the "Special Features" part of the DVD Costner talks specifically about that one scene where his gun never runs out and just said he wanted to film it that way even though people might catch it, or something like that. And he doesn't switch guns. His Colt (?) has about a 7" barrel like it was a 7 1/2" gun cut down behind the front sight (there is no front sight). Later he also shoots a 5 1/2" gun, too.
And Ferrilmiller. I just watched Duval on the Bio channel and he said in the early 70's he went to a church like you're talking about and wanted someday to make a movie about a preacher, which he did way later, The Apostle.

Another good western with Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church is The Broken Trail. It's excellent, definitely one of my favorites...and apparently it's based on a true story. If you haven't seen it, check it out.

IMO, while James Garner may be an okay actor...I don't care for him. He's a screaming libtard.

Tim

Lonesome Dove, all other westerns are pretenders.

Why leave the BGs alive in the jail? Or why leave the jail keys so they could be let out to fight?
Also why not shoot the group of BGs in the street from ambush using rifles?
I have always wondered why leave guns lying next to the BGs after you shoot them and are walking/running past. Pick them up and use them when your guns are empty.
I would have not made a western hero as i don't believe in taking prisoners.

I won't watch it or any of his movies. Kevin Costner once borrowed a lawn mower from his neighbor with a full tank of gas and returned it with a quarter tank.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Open Range was the movie that kinda smoothed things over for the wife and me one time when we were kinda having problems. It may have just been the rainy night when we went to the cinema, but I still have the tickets in my wallet.
My wife bought the movie and watches it when she has nothing else new and interesting to watch.
She also has Broken Trail and all of the Lonesome Dove movies, of which there are many.
I never try to nit-pick the details in a movie as it seems to take away from the whole reason I watch it. I don't care if Costner would have pulled a 629, he still got the job done. One has to remember that movies aren't really current news, but meant only for ones enjoyment.
I loved that movie and is one of the few that I have watched more than once.

Peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

One of my all time favorite westerns! I love the characters; especially the loyalty, independence and honesty of Boss and Costner's character. Great statement about standing up for what is right and standing up for community - to heck with the consequences. And the shootout climax is the best I've ever seen in a movie. Any movie.

I missed the nits: lack of diversity in guns, etc.

Out
West

I think it is one of my favorite movies. Killing the dog was reason enough to shoot the ……..



Don't shoot a mans dog.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

Ya always gotta let them have the first shot! Also the philharmonic orcrestra has got to be following you around. Indians must speak the kings english far better than ferralmerril. Mexican men must look like you just moved a rock and they showed up. All mexican women must look like linda carter. Horse`s must be able to travel at 65 mph and never stop to **** or eat. Once in awhile we let the village lunitic along to hold the horse`s. The livery stable owner must be 80 years old and have a gray walrus mustach and whip thin. The grocery store owner and wife must speak with a norwegian accent. All townspeople must be quivering cowards until inspired by ann margeret or similar, only the banker is allowed to wear thick glass`s, the house`s in town seem to have two dozzen residents each, all buildings are made of 40 year old aged unpainted lumber, The christian church go`ers must be cross eyed and extreamly passive, everyone but the hero must wear suspenders, guns must be wore impossibley low. No leading role allowed to anyone with over a 34" waist. Squinty eyes help.
I shoulda been a director or writer!

Hoss Cartright had a waste bigger than 34".

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- Change it back -

Good movie and Duvall was fantastic.

Huh?

Out
West

double post

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I used to be disgusted..

I did count and it's 15! Great movie, i watch it and Lonesome Dove about every time they're on...

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I used to be disgusted..

I agree, you would be a great director.
Also, Ann Margaret could inspire me to be a hero also, and Jimmy is a big coward.

The only hard liqour in saloons is whiskey and beer (BS), school teachers were always women who aren't allowed to marry, all towns must have one town drunk, one mean gunfighter can take over an entire town when the Marshall is gone (Gunsmoke), All towns have one saloon, one doctor, one blacksmith, etc., chicks in saloons will drink with ya' but they aren't hookers (Gunsmoke), All guys wearing guns and vests when they ride into town at the start are gaurenteed to be killed by the hero in a half hour (Rifleman), or in an hour (Gunsmoke), piano players in saloons have to wear a derby,everyone who uses a gun has to carry a Colt single action or two, all gambling and action ends at 9:00 PM then the town is dark and silent (Gunsmoke), stores and saloons always have supplies but theres never any teamsters coming in and out of town, Marshalls are allowed only one deputy regardless of the size of the town, only poker allowed in the saloons, anyone with Indian blood are automatically great trackers, full blooded indians must talk in metaphores, when talking to indians the hero must speak in broken english, indian cheifs usually look like Buster Keaton in a wig, whenever a Mexican character enters the scene you hear the strumming of a guitar even if they are really German or Jewish (Horst Buchholz and Eli Wallach in Magnificent Seven), every hero gets amnesia and goes blind at least once (Gunsmoke, etc.), and nobody was gay in the old west (except in Little Big Man).

If Duvall is in it, I'm going to rent it. My fav flick of his is "The Great Santini" parts of it filmed at MCAS Beaufort, SC.

Szumi

Phormer Phantom Phixer

I like it alot also. I don't nitpick the technicalitys too much,,it's entertainment afterall.
I thought Costners hat was OK,,didn't look any different than alot of those I've seen in period photos of the time.
At least it didn't have that Hollywood look.

I'll second 'Broken Trail' w/ Duvall. Excellent movie IMHO

Great movies, but I too noticed the never-empty SAA. I thought he would never stop shooting so he could reload! Otherwise there wasn't much to criticize.

I think far more people in the west were into mineing than ranching and all other occupations put together. Yet the films doesnt show much of it. It seems just about every town out here existed because a mine started it.
Pioche nevada is about 90 miles west of cedar city where I live. I have yet to see it even referanced to in a movie.
Pioche - Nevada Ghost Town
Yet its said to have been the most wildest dangerous town in the west at one time. I have walked boot hill there and it is filled with murder victims. It`s not exactly a ghost town as people live there, but probley just a fraction of what it had. There are about 3 small bars that have slot machines. It`s kind of like virginnia city nevada but smaller.
Another real ghost town about 70 miles northwest of us is Frisco utah.
Frisco, Utah - Ghostown With a Ten Year High
No one at all lives there. Legend has it almost as fact it was so wild they had a lawman from pioche come to clean it out. He told everyone he wasnt going to arrest anyone as there was no jail. Supposedly he killed 6 people that first night to get his point across! I have been trying to research his name to no avail, but do have names of lawmen from pinoce of that era.
Gold springs utah sits on the utah/nevada state line, about 65 miles west of us. Theresa and I have been to these places numerous times and keep looking for more on our ATV rides.
desertislands.org (Exploring the Great Basin!)

State line utah sits on the utah/nevada border about 8 miles north of gold springs as the crow flys, a lot farther by trails.
Stateline, Utah - Ghost Towns Of The West - Ghost Towns - Ancient Lost Treasures - Message Board



This is what we do.

This is hilarious, FM. I laughed out loud and I needed a good laugh.

Open Range is one of my favorite westerns. I love the lightning storm and heavy rain through the surrond sound. I don't care about the SA Colt 15 shooters and all that. It's just good entertainment for a couple of hours. Beats most of the **** they have on TV.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

Hi, Feralmerril:
Is metal detectors allowed to be used in in the area that you explore?
I am thinking that some old weapons might be found in those old places.
I really enjoy your posts about exploring those places.
Jimmy

jimmy, I have been wondering the same thing. I do have a old detector but not much experience useing it. Some mines do have no tresspassing signs, but most them are on BLM land as far as I know. I have packed my detector along but havent used it yet. Usualy these mines are where you need a 4wd or quad. All are dangerous. Some have a fence and rebar network around and over them. I suspect the biggest percentage of them have ran out of the time they were given due to not being worked or money invested in them for whatever the requirement is.
I belive in thinking about it, I will make a point of going to our local BLM office and try to find out, and report back here. I do know some laws and their views on picking up indian artifacts. In short, you cant.
I have come across holes where you can throw a rock in and not find the bottom. Also I have seen rickerty ladders go down so far in a black hole they go out of sight! There are a lot of old fell in huge buildings with lots of steel and iron machines in many areas. I know of all fell in stores you can walk in to with no signs at all telling you cant, and once in awhile see other people walking in them too. However, if there is old no tresspassing signs around I respect them. I would estimate by the ones I have visited its close to 50% signs or not. And with that, it looks like the signs are 50 years old if there!

AMEN, brother.

I'm not a big Costner fan ("WATERWORLD," anyone?), but Duvall is my favorite actor. One of things I liked about Open Range was that the gunshots sounded pretty realisitic -- most movies they are either A-bombs or cap pistols.

Oh yeah, best line in the movie: "It's locked," uttered by the shopkeeper whose place the bad guy is trying to escape into a half-second before the shopkeeper fires a shotgun at the guy.

Hi, Feralmerril:
Several years ago I was assigned to a Multi Agency EPA Task Force by my Agency. I was talking to one of the EPA Agents who had located an very old town that had burned down in a long ago woods fire. He had explored it with a metal detector on an off duty day as a hobby.
He had found a number of old firearms that he described as "Webley" type actions (he was not a gun guy) which I assumed as "Break Tops".
Reading your interesting posts I imaged Colt SA, S&W, Winchesters, Remingtons, etc waiting for you to discover and give them a good home.
Maybe a lost Winchester 1873 or Remington Rolling Block?
Jimmy

Jimmy, I live in gold rush country and have this fantasy of reaching under an old building foundation and pulling out an old Cold dragoon wrapped in an oiled rag. I have other fantasies, too but there are uh..hmm..other forums for that.

Now my intrest is up! I will check the BLM soon and post here with what they say. Lately its cold with snow on and off here. I probley wont be able to get the quad in that mineing area untill late april, but I want to be ready with what I can and cant legaly do. Truth is some of those areas are so remote that most people wouldnt worry about legalites one way or another on BLM land. Here are a couple more pictures.

I did go to one area this year that previously I had seen about a half dozzen old junk cars from the 30s or so. They were gone! There is a lot of old rusted busted mineing equipment in most all those areas. Lots of neglected very old small cemitarys too.
There is a ghost town, modena 50 miles west of cedar city on highway 56 going into nevada. Just off the highway. Lots of old buildings however several poligamist familys live there I am told. Its 8 miles from the nev/utah border. I once heard the entire town was for sale when we first moved here. Guess the poligamists bought it. Most those pictures of mines I posted are straight north on both sides the state border about 20 miles north. Check out these pictures of modena on the menu for utah. Also check out state line. Thats one of those areas straight north of modena I was talking about. We got into those buildings this summer and it still looks exactly like the pictures! There are no, no tresspassing signs at all, also there were several campers with trucks and trailers there when we were.
Ghost Towns | Hundreds of Pictures of Ghost Towns from Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho and Montana

I thought Open Range was an excellent movie. Costner, Duvall, and company did the story line justice.

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195th Session FBINA

XXXXXXXXXXX

Did you notice the dog's name was the same as his production company name? "Tig"

Wonderful movie. I watch it about every two months. I like Costner and Duvall.

SC

I think we all have to credit the late Sam Peckinpah for realism in movies.....The Wild Bunch, changed every thing, I remember when the censors wanted to give that movie a X rating due to some subject matter and especially the bloody results of what a bullet can do to the body of the receiving party. That scene at the express office was shocking for the time it was filmed. As to Duvall he is great. I remember when he played Ned Pepper in True Grit,,,"That's tall talk for a one eyed fat man" He is a true actor not just a celebrity...On the other hand I just couldn't believe the acting??? of Glen Campbell...But you can't have every thing.( he was a great guitar player)

Duvall is one of dieing breed of true actors. He can fall into any part:: "I love the smell of napalm in the morning"

By God I think you and Ferrelmerril have got it down pat!!
Don't forget the rack of Winchesters in the jail with plenty of bullets next to them.

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Forum consigliere

Good Morning, FeralMerril and Wyatt Burp:
When exploring check the cabin/building foundations, fireplace hearth/chimmey, behind closet doors, attic/cellar. These were the pioneers' hiding places.
A fellow employee found a Remington Rolling Block Rifle behind a open closet door in an old abandoned house. Previous explorers had opened the closet door, looked inside and left. No one had thought to look behind the open door.
Old firearms, swords, knifes are waiting for you guys to find them.
Jimmy

Not to be a "wet blanket", but if you are on BLM land, or any other gvmt land, you should be aware of the "American Antiquities Act of 1906. 16 USC 431-433" and it's several subsequent act's concerning antique hunting on public lands.
I seem to recall that it defines anything over 50 years old as being protected.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446