Hatfields and McCoys -- Your Opinions?

[C. Neil]

Rather surprised that no one's discussing the History Channel miniseries, which I have found superb (though I don't get to see part III until the wife gets home today, so I can't draw a definite conclusion.) Despite its Appalachian setting, it certainly looks and feels very much like a Western--and a darn good one, at that.

I'd be interested to see if the folks around here enjoyed it as much as I have. If part III is as compelling as I and II, it'll end up a keeper alongside Open Range, 3:10, and the Coens' True Grit. I will admit to being an easy target; if a movie has horses and handguns, I'm pretty much sold. I also have a distant Costner connection, so I'm doubly biased.

And since I have limited my 19th century studies to what occurred west of the Mississippi, I'd be interested to know your take on its historical veracity...before I get all obsessive and start reading every thing I can get my hands on. And to that point, I'd love reading recommendations.

CNW

[Old Geezer]

Sometimes public executions were family outings and picnics. 

[C. Neil]

Steve, I think you're mixing Tombstone and Wyatt Earp up. Costner's Morgan was played by Linden Ashby, and very much a hothead tough guy (he even did the historical "Let 'em have it," exchange with Doc on the way down Fremont.) Paxton was Kurt Russell's Morgan.

While Paxton's Morgan wasn't as accurate, I still thought--as an actor--he did a great job. That death on the pool table scene gives me a touch of the ol' mist every time. "You're the one, Wyatt. Don't let 'em get you."

[Steve Sanders]

Right you are, Mr. Neil. Thanks for the correction.

[anthony martin]

  Sue,

    The location  for the Appalachian woods did look uncannily like that region-I know because I used to go hiking and camping throughout the area.Most of us who lived there were mighty sick of hearing about the whole Hatfield and McCoy imbroglio.It was considered rather embarrassing.

   I saw an interview with Costner a while ago and he rattled on about the carefully researched script and production values of the latest magnum opus.I knew that we were in trouble after he said that.He gave a very similar interview right before Wyatt Earp.

[Gay Mathis]

More feud programming coming Saturday on History channel--The story of the famous American feud as told by historians, scholars and descendants

(America’s Greatest Feud: Hatfields and McCoys--Story Link)

Excerpt: History will air an additional new program about the famous vendetta: a two-hour  documentary film, “America’s Greatest Feud: Hatfields and McCoys,” will debut  Sat., June 2, at 4 p.m.

 

[Old Geezer]

If I had not seen the credits I would not have guessed that Jim Vance was Tom Berenger

[C. Neil]

Berenger was amazing in both acting and appearance.

Gay, thank you for the link! I'll be watching. 

[John R Wice]

Having some kinfolk from back there and hearing many stories, it was certainly "Hollywoodized" but not any more so than say "Tombstone!"  There were inaccuracies in equipment of all kinds but at least there was a feel for the era.  This was a real life blood feud, so violence was to be expected again as in "Tombstone," only protracted over 30 years.

[Sue Cauhape]

Agreed, it was a period of thirty years of violent occasions that became more intense and senseless through the years. Thirty years in that time was a generation. Children grew up in that feud as if it were normal life. Watching the show, I got a feeling for the continual danger just in daily living. Eventually, the Hatfields were forced to live in the hills, not able to safely go to town for supplies, etc. Costner did succeed in giving us that feeling of being closed in and always looking over the shoulder. 

Many of the cast members here were taken from both Tombstone and Wyatt Earp, which I thought was interesting. I wonder if there was a bit of competitive "feud" amongst the actors to give the film a more visceral reality. When Robert Wise directed West Side Story, for example, he deliberately separated the actors in each gang and told them to be competitive off camera in order to foster that combative tension on film. 

I thought the casting was excellent and it was interesting to see how they had matured in their craft.

[Murray A. Gewirtz]

I heard that Tom Berenger was in it but I missed the credits after the second part and couldn't at all figure out which character was played by Berenger!