Kevin Costner’s Underrated Western Shootout That Will Blow Your Mind

Following his work on Unforgiven in 1992, Kevin Costner became the leading figure in the Western genre, having previously appeared in 1985’s Silverado. Later, he not only starred but also directed in a notable Western film. Although his roles in these two productions are often highlighted as his best Western performances, an underappreciated 2003 cowboy movie offered Costner one of his most compelling narratives and showcased some exhilarating gunfights.

In the ’90s, much like how Clint Eastwood became synonymous with the Western genre after The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Kevin Costner took over that mantle from him. While Eastwood was crafting his magnum opus, Unforgiven, Costner was lining up a series of Western projects. Some of these were huge successes, like Dances With Wolves, but his portrayal of Wyatt Earp in the 1994 film Tombstone was a spectacular failure, with that movie overshadowing it. Today, Costner continues to leverage the Western genre for his career through projects such as Yellowstone and The Highwaymen. While his 1990 box office sensation may be great, traditional Western enthusiasts might find his 2003 cowboy revenge film more appealing.

Kevin Costner Tried To Keep Westerns Great

The Star Took Control Of His Western Projects

Best Kevin Costner Movies ()	IMDB Rating
#1 – Dances With Wolves	8.0/10
#2 – Field of Dreams	7.5/10
#3 – The Untouchables	7.8/10

In contrast to other film genres, the success of Westerns often relies on a charismatic actor or director who embodies the spirit of the Old West. During the 1940s to ’60s, Hollywood boasted numerous creative minds to symbolize this era, but none were more iconic than John Wayne as the quintessential cowboy of the Hayes Code period. Yet, as Wayne’s age and health declined, the changing tastes of audiences paved the way for Clint Eastwood to take over as Hollywood’s gunslinger. His Western roles, more complex and morally ambiguous than traditional Wayne characters, were both captivating and provocative. At one point, it seemed that the star of the Dollars Trilogy could do no wrong at the box office.

As Eastwood grew older, it became increasingly challenging for him to continually portray the same raw, rough-edged gunfighter persona that defined his career. The year he starred in his second-to-last gunslinger movie, “Pale Rider,” was 1985, with “Silverado.” This film, directed by Lawrence Kasdan, blends classic cowboy motifs and characters, offering a thrilling Wild West journey. Two years after Eastwood made his final traditional Western, “Unforgiven,” Kevin Costner directed his own frontier tale, “Dances With Wolves.” Just as Eastwood had taken the lead in all of his Western films, so did Costner. This series of events resulted in what some historians call the best cowboy film ever made: “Open Range.

It’s worth mentioning that, even though Kevin Costner has made considerable efforts, the past thirty years have demonstrated that the Western genre can thrive without a leading superstar. For instance, Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained and the Coen Brothers’ version of True Grit have both been successful without a headlining actor. Instead, directors such as James Mangold and Quentin Tarantino have stepped up to the plate, crafting more contemporary action-oriented Westerns that rely on their creative prowess rather than relying on a single star.

Open Range Is A Fantastic Frontier Revenge Story

Kevin Costner Made Up For Wyatt Earp’s Flop

Open Range	Director	Budget	Box Office
2003	Kevin Costner	$22	$68.3

In this rephrased version, a cowboy named Charley, along with his companion Boss Spearman, are on a cattle drive with two junior colleagues, Mose and Button (portrayed by a young Diego Luna). As they approach the town of Harmonville, Montana, Mose fails to return from a town visit. Concerned, Charley and Boss go looking for him and discover that he’s been imprisoned by the corrupt marshal, Poole, who works for a powerful cattle baron, Denton Baxter. Baxter dislikes the cattlemen’s open grazing practices and gives them until night to vacate the land. However, they are unable to depart due to seeking medical help in town, which leads them to encounter some of Baxter’s men near their camp. Tragically, Mose is found dead and Button is seriously injured. They then seek shelter with the local doctor, Doc Barlow. With Mose recuperating, Charley develops a romantic relationship with the doctor’s sister, Sue.

Fueled by revenge, Charlie and their leader targeted Baxter, starting with the arrest of Poole’s deputies. Leveraging his prior military experience as a soldier in the Civil War, Charlie caught the corrupt marshals off guard, setting up a looming confrontation with Baxter’s forces. As teams of gunmen pursued them, our heroes utilized cover and their sharpshooting abilities to gain the upper hand, taking down anyone Baxter sent after them. Having fought through the marshals and mercenaries, Boss finally confronted a cowering Baxter, questioning if Baxter’s life was worth sacrificing for a handful of cattle. With the town now free and Button recovering, the duo decided to settle down, giving Charlie an opportunity to pursue his romance.

Open Range Indulges All Gunfighter Fans

Its Action Sequences Are Epic And Realistic

Open Range Cast	Actor
Charley Whaite	Kevin Costner
Boss Spearman	Robert Duvall
Denton Baxter	Michael Gambon
Sue Barlow	Annette Bening

In terms of the climactic battle, “Open Range” skillfully combines spectacle with authenticity when it comes to action sequences. While it presents a grandiose, albeit somewhat unrealistic shootout (with Costner firing his gun an extraordinary number of times, a choice he personally desired), it also accurately portrays the frenetic, disorderly, yet imperfect nature of a gunfight in the Old West. Neither the protagonists nor antagonists are expert marksmen, and the inaccuracy of the firearms of that era is realistically depicted. Both Boss and Charley are not invulnerable to bullets; they sustain their fair share of injuries during the battle, just as it would have happened in the actual West, and they often miss their targets as well.

A key aspect of the movie Open Range lies in its skillfully executed and meticulously filmed gunfights, which manage to be both swift and intricate. Despite prolonged battles lasting approximately half an hour in the film, individual skirmishes are brief. When a character like Charley seeks revenge for Mose, they make sure to get close enough to deliver a precise shot. Though there are moments that might seem contrived due to “Hollywood logic,” the film largely portrays the imperfections, inaccuracies, confusion, and chaos that would be present during such encounters. The sparse use of music adds authenticity to the experience. The filmmaker’s strategic use of slow-motion shots and close-ups heightens the intensity, offering a vivid depiction of each bullet’s impact. This results in a cohesive portrayal of the battle, rather than the fragmented and unclear sequences often seen in lesser films.

It Isn’t Just The Shooting That’s Accurate

The Movie Has Been Praised By Western Experts

Open Range is available to rent on AppleTV, Amazon Video and Fandango At Home.

Open Range is not only famous for its intense finale gunfight, but there’s much more to it than that. The movie strives to offer a more authentic, toned-down portrayal of the Old West at every level. From the depiction of life while driving cattle across vast landscapes to minute details like replacing traditional saloon doors with historically accurate ones, this film is a testament to realism.

Though it has impressive action scenes, Open Range doesn’t aim to be just an action movie. It presents a much more realistic, era-appropriate Wild West setting, even though viewers might anticipate something else. Furthermore, the term “cowboy” is frequently used in the West, but it’s delightful to see it correctly applied to genuine cattlemen.

In the case of “Open Range,” dialogues play a significant role in creating an immersive experience. Unlike traditional Western films like those of John Wayne, the dialogue here feels authentic, not overly exaggerated with jargon or slang. The characters Boss and Charley sound like real cowboys because the writer, Craig Storper, based on Lauran Paine’s novel “The Open Range Men,” has made a point to keep it genuine.

As for the set pieces, they don’t strive to look overly old or rustic; instead, they depict more modern homes that became common as the West was settled. Given the 1882 setting, a town that feels more established is fitting.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its portrayal of a more relatable and genuine romance story, something that is often lacking or underdeveloped in the Western genre. While there is plenty of action in “Open Range,” it also isn’t afraid to delve into a tender, emotional exploration of the West – a trait common in Costner’s films.

Why Open Range Is One Of The Best Westerns Since Tombstone

	Stream
#1 – No Country For Old Men	Paramount+
#2 – There Will Be Blood	Paramount+, Hoopla and Kanopy
#3 – The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford	Rent on AppleTV, Amazon Video or Fandango At Home

Despite not being a true account, the film “Open Range” stands out as one of the most authentic portrayals of the Wild West on screen, thanks to its well-crafted script, costumes, characters, sets, and intense action sequences. The narrative subtly explores how land barons could manipulate frontier lawmen and cowboys, a theme reminiscent of classic Westerns such as “Shane” and “Pale Rider.” Michael Gambon delivers an exceptional performance as the villain, echoing iconic antagonists like Rufus Ryker from “Shane” and LaHood in “Pale Rider.” Unlike some Western films that either oversimplify or over-dramatize their action, Costner’s direction creates a breathtaking climax that transforms the movie from a solid period drama into an exceptional fusion of romance and vengeance.

The 21st century has had its ups and downs when it comes to exceptional Western films, particularly with the advent of neo-Westerns spearheaded by Taylor Sheridan overshadowing the classic Old West. Released in 2003 as a tribute to the romantic essence of the genre that he admired during his youth, this film embodies all the qualities of an excellent frontier movie. Kevin Costner continues to champion what makes the Western genre so exceptional, and Open Range is a notable highlight, showcasing both his acting prowess and directorial skills in a remarkably realistic manner.

2025-06-03 21:52