Tags
2010's, Bone Tomahawk, David Arquette, Horror, Kurt Russell, Lili Simmons, Matthew Fox, Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins, S. Craig Zahler, Western
Film Title
Bone Tomahawk
Director
S. Craig Zahler
Starring
- Kurt Russell as Sheriff Franklin Hunt
- Richard Jenkins as Chicory
- Matthew Fox as John Brooder
- Patrick Wilson as Arthur O’Dwyer
- Lili Simmons as Samantha O’Dwyer
- David Arquette as Purvis
A grisly, well-paced and unexpectedly successful blend of horror and western, Bone Tomahawk is an impressive directorial debut from S. Craig Zahler that will leave a mark on viewers in search for something a little off kilter.
It’s the Old West and into the town of Bright Hope stumbles a thieving drifter sporting the name Buddy, but hiding his real name of Purvis. He lost his other comrade in pick pocketing when they trespassed on to unfamiliar territory and he met a brutal end. Caught acting suspiciously by the deputy Sheriff Chicory, Purvis is confronted by Sheriff Franklin Hunt about his behaviour and intentions. The conversation ends with Hunt putting a bullet in Purvis’ leg and hauling him into jail. As his gunshot wound gets worse and with the local doctor drunk, Hunt calls upon the doctor’s assistant Samantha, who is also the wife of injured foreman Arthur O’Dwyer, to help with the wound. She is kept company by Deputy Nick for the night. Yet when it comes to the morning, there is no sign of Samantha, Deputy Nick or Purvis to be found. And when the body of a young stable boy is found brutally butchered and an arrow is found in the jail cell, Hunt calls in a Native American man to help them with their search and what they could be up against. It transpires that in the caves that lie five days journey away, there lives a tribe of cannibals who kill all who enter. Realizing that they are the ones who kidnapped Samantha and the others, authoritative Hunt rounds up men to aid him on a mission to rescue her before it’s too late. Journeying with him is loyal Chicory, mercenary gunslinger John Brooder and Samantha’s crippled husband Arthur. The unlikely quartet travel on an arduous journey that is cruel and unforgiving. As supplies begin to dwindle, Arthur’s injury worsens and they start to get ever closer to the caves, none of the men are prepared for the savagery that will await them.
S. Craig Zahler crafts one hell of a debut with this ballsy horror-western that successfully builds tension as the journey of the quartet gets darker and darker. Considering this is his debut, Zahler shows a striking amount of confidence in his direction that shows that this guy could have a very bright future ahead of him if he churns out movies like this one. While it is a horror movie, the gore and violence are not overused a lot. This in turn ensures that when carnage does rear its head, we are left shocked because it comes out of nowhere and really knows how to pack a punch with grisly intent. There is one particular scene that will test even the least squeamish people due to its brutality and shock. Yet the horror doesn’t overtake everything, and the western side of the movie forms a lot of it. Zahler, who also wrote the script, blends dark, wry humour throughout Bone Tomahawk, adding another layer of unpredictability and eccentricity to the brew. The score of the film is sparse, which brings more attention to the journey through arid landscapes and harsh terrain. Yet when the score is used, the menace reverberates from the screen.
The main quartet of actors in Bone Tomahawk are perfectly cast and fill their roles with style and full-blooded presence. Heading the proceedings is Kurt Russell, who cuts a weathered, gruff and authoritative figure as Sheriff Hunt, the natural-born leader of the posse on the rescue mission. This is a man who cares about the people of his town and rather than being happy to go attack anything that comes his way, he is more pragmatic and takes head of the situation first. Really stealing the show is Richard Jenkins, with his blend of experience and sense of humour. Portraying the second in command, Jenkins excels at showing how Chicory tries to boost morale, even in the face of danger but is no fool in the slightest. Matthew Fox is mightily impressive as the well-dressed John Brooder, whose penchant is boasting about how many Indians he has killed. Essaying the role with a coldness and swaggering peacock walk, Fox really owns it. As the injured but not broken Arthur, whose determination to continue is in the hope of reclaiming his wife, Patrick Wilson crafts a character of substance. Not letting injury get in his way, Arthur pushes his body through the pain barrier with only faith to guide him on the harsh journey. Wilson does a tremendous job at showing his plight to save his wife and how he will never give up, even if it kills him in the process. In the brief but pivotal roles of the kidnapped Samantha and mysterious drifter, Lili Simmons and David Arquette are excellently cast.
A triumph of genre melding that brims with engaging characters, just the right amount of blood and cynical dashes of humour, Bone Tomahawk takes its place as an unusual but highly effective film that is hard to forget due to its journey into the Old West with a few sharp twists along the dark way it treads.
Richard White said:
Great review. I really liked this movie when I saw it last year, it ended up on my top ten of the year in fact. While it’s a wonderful blend of horror and western, what most surprised me was how witty and inventive the dialogue was, it was a real pleasure just watching the actors riff off one another. I’m going to be looking forward to whatever S. Craig Zahler does next.
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vinnieh said:
I was surprised and thrilled with how witty the dialogue was. It added another layer to the movie that already combined two genres effectively and unusually.
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Haylee said:
That was an excellent review! I loved this when I saw it over Christmas – such an odd blend of genres on paper, yet worked so well. And as the previous comments say, the humour and wit of the dialogue was brilliant – gave a welcome relief from the tension. Definitely one of my favourite ‘horrors’ seen recently.
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vinnieh said:
It definitely worked very well, and combined genres with style. I loved the witty script, it just had that something else that made the film enjoyable. I never thought I’d ever see an effective horror western, but I was proved wrong with Bone Tomahawk.
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beetleypete said:
I haven’t seen this, but from your review, it sounds great, and something that I am sure I would enjoy.
Thanks, V. Pete.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a really interesting blend of genres Pete, executed with style and assurance.
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jordanandeddie said:
Nicely put! Gee Fox did a good job with his role, and in retrospect I really do see it as more of a western than a horror, which proves just how much effort was put into the authenticity. Very good film.
Jordan
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vinnieh said:
I liked seeing a different side to Fox in this movie. To me the main quartet was marvellous at working with each other.
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emmakwall said:
Nice review Vinster (of course) and thanks for putting this on my radar, I’m not gonna lie it sounds BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! I love that idea and premise (and cast!) so much, where did you see the preview, I take it it’s not out on DVD yet? Sounds OTT fun.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks sister. I saw the preview in Liverpool last night as part of a deal with the Times membership. It’s in cinemas soon I believe.
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emmakwall said:
That’s so cool!!!! I think it’s out on Blu-Ray actually but closer inspection shows its Region 1 so maybe it is in UK cinemas soon? Fingers crossed!
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vinnieh said:
I hope you get to see it Emma. Sorry for my late reply.
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emmakwall said:
Not a problem Vinnie! Thanks 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I did a post for Cici that raised a few temperatures.
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emmakwall said:
Really? I’ll check that out!! 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Hope you like it. I have to sign off for a bit, but I’ll be back later sister.
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vinnieh said:
Before I sign off here’s the link. https://vinnieh.wordpress.com/2016/02/17/a-post-for-cici/
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emmakwall said:
I’m already there bro! 😉
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emmakwall said:
Okay I think it’s out on Blu-Ray I may need to buy this like now!!!!!
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The Telltale Mind said:
Good review Vin. Loved this film!
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vinnieh said:
You have great taste, what a movie it was. I wasn’t sure how the film would work with the genre melding but I was blown away by it and the way it was told. Definitely one of the best movies I’ve watched lately.
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Alex said:
Great review – I am adding this to a “need to watch” list now! 🙂 They should pay you royalties for your marketing abilities lol
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vinnieh said:
Haha, now there’s an idea.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh! You just picked my Saturday night movie Vinnie! Amazon Prime just added this. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I’m happy to be of service Kim, you know me and movie recommendations.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🙂
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
Hadn’t heard of this film, and I love Kurt Russel films!
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vinnieh said:
Oh this is a killer movie, really good.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
I’m going to have to check this one out, Vin.
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vinnieh said:
It’s well worth a watch because of the genre blending and atmosphere.
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SLIP/THROUGH - Dan said:
Great review, Vinnie. This movie was in my Top 5. Perhaps if it got a theatrical release it would be up for Oscars? I agree, Blacklisted writer Zahler was super impressive with directorial debut. In my review, I call this the best Tarantino movie of the year. Tomahawk was a tasty brew of mixed genres. I agree, Jenkins is fabulous, but Fox was real surprise here, for me. Thanks for highlighting indie cinema. This flick deserves to be championed.
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vinnieh said:
A tasty brew indeed. I love highlighting indie cinema, it deserves to be highlighted. Sometimes smaller movies can be so much better than effects laden blockbusters.
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SLIP/THROUGH - Dan said:
Deffo man. Totally agree. So many great indies worth digging for, like hidden treasures really. Have you seen DOPE? It’s one of my favs from last year. Really good character work. R-rated, but still has an almost John Hughes vibe.
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vinnieh said:
I haven’t seen Dope but I’m making a note of it now.
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Tom said:
Fabulous write-up my friend. How are people watching this movie? I’ve searched online but I guess not thoroughly enough? I can’t f**king wait to see it.
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vinnieh said:
It’s only been released were I am recently. I assumed that it would be available of DVD in the US, seeing as I read reviews for it months again. It’s one bad ass movie.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
I guess this is one of those cases in which your review makes the movie sound way more interesting than it actually was, haha! Loved your review, but I don’t think I would be able to watch it, I’m too much of a chicken, oops! lol
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vinnieh said:
There are a few bits for those who have weak stomachs, but the film was really amazing.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
I’m glad you liked it! That’s what really matteres ❤
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vinnieh said:
I really liked writing about this movie.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
I’m thinking about writing a movie review for Austenland. I saw it yesterday and I feel like I need to say something, haha!
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vinnieh said:
I’d be interested to read a review of a movie by you.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
Aww, thank you! Even if half of it would just say how much Stephenie Meyer sucks on every single aspect? Hahaha ^^”””
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vinnieh said:
I would read anything you wrote.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
As a very respected and known contemporary thinker called Taylor Swift would say: “That’s how you get the girl” ;D Thank you, dear!! I plan on writing it tomorrow, as soon as I get home, haha!
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vinnieh said:
I look forward to reading your review.
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vinnieh said:
By the way, was it you who mentioned you were interested in seeing Charmed? If it was, by all means take a look at my reviews for it.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
It was me! I was going to, but something happened and I forgot, sorry! (I’m that kind of person, haha!) I’m going to read it now because I don’t want to forget again D:
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vinnieh said:
Be warned, my reviews do contain some spoilers in them.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
That’s okay, I survived, haha! ❤
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Movie Quibble said:
Captivating and ballsy as heck. Especially the gore. Eli Roth, eat your internal organs out!
The sounds (not the soundtrack which, as you’ve said, was bravely minimalist) really made the experience memorable for me.
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vinnieh said:
Ballsy is the right word. The gory scene in the cave, wow I wasn’t expecting that.
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Jordan Dodd said:
Just saw this, great wqrite up. I like this one better than the other two bigger westerns that came out recently
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vinnieh said:
I think the added bits of horror made Bone Tomahawk an excellent movie.
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