Follow the story of how the Old West was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning 15 years before, during and following the Civil War from 1859 to 1874, embark on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
Credits: TheMovieDb.
Follow the story of how the Old West was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning 15 years before, during and following the Civil War from 1859 to 1874, embark on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting
Cast:
- Hayes Ellison: Kevin Costner
- Frances Kittredge: Sienna Miller
- Trent Gephart: Sam Worthington
- “Ellen” Harvey: Jena Malone
- Marigold: Abbey Lee
- Sgt. Major Thomas Riordan: Michael Rooker
- Col. Albert Houghton: Danny Huston
- Matthew Van Weyden: Luke Wilson
- Juliette Chesney: Ella Hunt
- Taklishim: Tatanka Means
- Pionsenay: Owen Crow Shoe
- Tracker: Jeff Fahey
- Hugh Proctor: Tom Payne
- Caleb Sykes: Jamie Campbell Bower
- Walt: Michael Angarano
- Elizabeth Kittredge: Georgia MacPhail
- Pickering: Giovanni Ribisi
- Owen Kittredge: Will Patton
- Mr. Hong: Jim Lau
- Diamond Kittredge: Isabelle Fuhrman
- James Kittredge: Tim Guinee
- Chisholm: Colin Cunningham
- Elias Janney: Scott Haze
- Sig: Douglas Smith
- Neron Chavez: Alejandro Edda
- Liluye: Wasé Chief
- Desmarais: Angus Macfadyen
- Junior Sykes: Jon Beavers
- Annie Pine: Kathleen Quinlan
- Russell Ganz: Etienne Kellici
- Sacaton: Bodhi Okuma Linton
- Tuayeseh: Gregory Cruz
- Ben Sykes: Joe Burns
- Abel Naughton: James Russo
- Bowler Hat Surveyor: David O’Hara
- Second Surveyor: Chris Conner
- Mimbreño Brave: Leroy Silva
- Mrs. Sykes: Dale Dickey
- Bill Landry: Larry Bagby
- Flagg: James Landry Hébert
- Mrs. Bowman: Claudia Conner
- Malcolm: Daniel Link
- Nathaniel Kittredge: Hayes Costner
- Birke: Roger Ivens
- James Sykes: Charles Halford
- Junior’s Wife: Whitney Palmer
- Gratton Sykes: Austin R. Grant
- Uncle Sykes: Bryan Hisey
- Mike Connolly: Ariel Llinas
- Hermit: Raynor Scheine
- Mrs. Van Weyden: Lindsay Foster
- Mrs. Hong: Cici Lau
- Joseph: Antonio D. Charity
- Joseph’s Wife: Adriane McLean
- Dr. Bowman: John Coinman
- Samson: Cleo Eringer-Parker
- Samson: Nyla Eringer-Parker
- Young Boy Surveyor: Aidan McCann
- Tonto Woman: Dawn Lura
- Tonto Boy – Second Sentry: Teyton Allan Colbert
- Papago Scout: Derek Hinkey
- Gaunt Scalp-Hunter: H. Jack Williams
- Cautious Tonto Boy: Fiyero Barehand
- Wagon Driver: Boo Arnold
- Maid: Tiger Curran
- Young Farmer: Brandon Shaffer
- Tall Boy: Moimoi Gilmore
- Yuan: Phoebe Ho
- Ralston: Amos Little
- Young Coyotera Woman: Ave Solvei
- Buckhout: Todd Allen
- Boy With Horses: Keegan Perez
- Evie Kittredge: Hallie Purser
- Martha Kittredge: Naomi Winders
- Mrs. Riordan: Elizabeth Dennehy
- Virgil: Austin Archer
- Private Epps: Dalton Baker
- Private Eklund: Chase Ramsey
- Surgeon Vreeland: Michael Todd Behrens
- Thickset Volunteer: John Melo
- Proprietress: Sarah Shippobotham
- Clerk: Aaron Bruderer
- Foreman: Steve Redd
- Farrier: William McAllister
- Gambler: Liam Bradford
- Apache At Post: Zachary Hokeah
- Apache Boy: Samuel Gray
- Guard: Duane Stephens
- Translator: Michael Anthony Christian
- Ft Gallant Infantry: Stephen Robert Schultz
- Ft Gallant Cavalry: Tice O. Guymon
- Pawnee Brave #1: Joseph Williams
- Pawnee Brave #2: Dustyn Horse
- Tall Rider: Ryan Swanson
- Migrant Camp Worker: Hy Woong
Crew:
- Second Assistant “A” Camera: Blake Hooks
- Makeup Artist: Megan Gorley
- Hairstylist: Ariel Parker
- Second Unit Director: Robert Legato
- Second Unit First Assistant Director: Tobijah Tyler
- Art Direction: Dawn Swiderski
- Production Secretary: Allie Russell
- Additional Second Assistant Director: Ryan McDowell
- On Set Dresser: Don “Tex” Clark
- Set Dresser: Susan Donner
- Leadman: Bennet Silver
- Hair Department Head: Kimberly Carlson
- First Assistant Director: Philip A. Patterson
- Supervising Art Director: Billy W. Ray
- Art Direction: John B. Vertrees
- Set Decoration: Bryan Hurley
- Art Direction: John Richardson
- Unit Production Manager: Jeff T. Miller
- Storyboard Artist: Jonathan Hallett
- Hairstylist: Stacey Berrett
- Key Makeup Artist: Shalyse Lopez
- Art Direction: Jarrette Moats
- Makeup Artist: Shirell Nestlerode
- Utility Stunts: Duane Burkhart
- Stunt Coordinator: Kanin Howell
- Stunts: Wilder Mckinly
- On Set Dresser: Casey Van Maanen
- Special Effects Coordinator: Kai Shelton
- Visual Effects Editor: Sean Kachenmeister
- “A” Camera Operator: Roger Spain
- Aerial Camera Technician: Chris Swoboda
- Makeup Artist: Anya Zeitlin
- Production Supervisor: Ayelet Bick
- Second Assistant Director: Frederic Roth
- Assistant Art Director: Ryan Grossheim
- Sound Effects Editor: Taylor Flinn
- Visual Effects Editor: Andrew McCaig
- Dolly Grip: Glade Quinn
- Set Designer: Andrew Layton
- Props: Daniel Licari
- Set Designer: Greg Papalia
- Standby Painter: Aaron Rodriguez
- Digital Compositor: August Coleman
- Key Grip: Antonio Betulia
- “A” Camera Operator: Alan Jacoby
- Second Assistant “C” Camera: Austin Swenson
- Makeup Artist: Anne Sellery
- Makeup Artist: Cheyenne Dineh Tuttle
- Hairstylist: Alisha Whittington
- Set Dresser: Bryan Bernardi
- Construction Foreman: Matt Pollock
- Assistant Production Design: Lilly Thigpen
- “A” Camera Operator: James W. Apted
- Drone Operator: Jorge Devotto
- Key Hair Stylist: Tijen Osman
- Makeup Artist: Francisco X. Pérez
- Second Second Assistant Director: MarSchelle Walker
- First Assistant Sound Editor: Smokey Cloud
- Sound Mixer: Jamie Gambell
- Animation Supervisor: Kevin Estey
- Stunts: Randy P Melton
- Stunts: Walter Runningcrane Jr.
- Best Boy Grip: Bill Jacobi
- Production Supervisor: Spencer Schwartz
- Production Assistant: Reyna Barnaby
- Scenic Artist: Michael Leblovic
- Set Decoration: Paul Penley
- Boom Operator: Josh Bower
- Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Albert Romero
- Special Effects: Brady J. Condit
- Second Assistant “A” Camera: Jeremiah Kent
- “B” Camera Operator: Courtney Marie Miller
- Gaffer: John Raymer
- First Assistant “B” Camera: Stephanie Saathoff
- Property Master: Jeffrey Paul Johnson
- Set Dresser: James Malley
- Stunts: Richard Bucher
- Stunts: Jeremy Marinas
- First Assistant “B” Camera: David ‘D.R.’ Rhineer
- Armorer: Ron Licari
- Set Designer: Taura C.C. Rivera
- Painter: Jeremy Turley
- Compositing Artist: Alma Cebrián
- Steadicam Operator: Michael Alba
- Concept Artist: Thomas Pringle
- Assistant Art Director: Maggie Srmayan
- Property Master: Keith Walters
- Visual Effects Producer: Rebecca j Smith
- Grip: A.J. Beer
- Hairstylist: Molly Moonanne Sanders
- Key Hair Stylist: Anna Williams
- Assistant Set Decoration: Jenn McLaren
- Set Designer: Jess O’Dell
- Art Department Coordinator: Miccah Underwood
- Sound Designer: Angelo Palazzo
- Stunt Coordinator: Norman Howell
- Camera Operator: Nana Gentry
- Hairstylist: Brittany Troche
- Stunt Double: Wyatt Mortenson
- Second Unit Director of Photography: Eric Leach
- Production Supervisor: Brooke Redmon
- Second Second Assistant Director: Lance Resch-Anger
- Set Dresser: Randall Dongo-Olsen
- Set Dresser: Mike Orme
- Set Decoration: Edmond Scott Ratliff
- On Set Dresser: Daniela Weinreich
- Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Joe DeAngelis
- Boom Operator: Daniel Quintana
- Stunts: Dayson Zaiah Ward
- Digital Imaging Technician: Tim Balcomb
- Still Photographer: Richard Foreman Jr.
- Art Department Assistant: Julia K. Brown
- Graphic Designer: Susan A. Burig
- Art Department Coordinator: Vicki M. McWilliams
- Armorer: Dan Riker
- Special Effects Technician: Claudia Montano-Lobe
- Second Assistant “B” Camera: Noah Muro
- First Assistant “C” Camera: Seth Peschanksy
- Assistant Property Master: John C. Cameron
- Set Dresser: Lance Clayton
- Set Dresser: Jessica Draper
- Assistant Property Master: Matthew Mahany
- Sound Mixer: Brett Grant-Grierson
- Post Production Supervisor: Armen Fetulagian
- Stunts: Sergei Dmitriev
- Second Assistant “A” Camera: Ted Buerkle
- Second Assistant “A” Camera: Cameron A. Keidell
- Loader: Zac Prange
- Production Coordinator: Kipling Hicks
- Set Decoration Buyer: Liz Long
- Sound: Jill Cosh
- Utility Stunts: Pedro Barquin
- Stunts: Shaw Momberg
- “A” Camera Operator: Tommy Tieche
- Assistant Location Manager: Crystal Bowden
- Production Driver: Lisa Drabner
- Location Coordinator: Alyssa Dimare
- Script Supervisor: Nirvana Adams
- Grip: Jaron Whitfill
- Casting Associate: George Ludlow
- Costume Coordinator: Jessica Ray Harrison
- Costume Assistant: CJ Landers
- First Assistant Editor: Mark Sawa
- Set Costumer: Carolina Hernandez
- Digital Intermediate Producer: Shawyon Fazel
- Assistant Location Manager: John Whoriskey Jr.
- Costume Supervisor: Leslie Sungail
- Set Costumer: Ramsay Williams
- Location Scout: Demian Spilsbury
- Assistant Location Manager: Clay Maw
- Assistant Location Manager: Clay Valenti
- Aerial Director of Photography: Béla Temesváry
- Assistant Costume Designer: David Moyer
- Dailies Manager: Jackie Mata
- Assistant Location Manager: Colleen Coviello
- Location Assistant: Kyle T. Cox
- Musician: Allen Walley
- Assistant Location Manager: Eric Crocombe
- Location Assistant: Chase Hughes
- Rigging Grip: Zach Valois
- Best Boy Electric: Max Wenham
- Casting Assistant: Casey Bailey
- Assistant Costume Designer: Tiger Curran
- Costume Assistant: Rio McBreen
- Driver: Erik Coutts
- Set Costumer: Steven Witkowski
- Transportation Coordinator: Steve De Leon
- Extras Casting Coordinator: Maryellen Aviano
- Casting Associate: Timothy Pratt
- Assistant Location Manager: F. Nickolas Castillo
- Score Engineer: Gustavo Borner
- Set Costumer: Jacob Aller
- Assistant Editor: Joseph Suzuki
- Musician: Steve Mair
- Drone Pilot: Stephen Szot
- Extras Casting Coordinator: Yun
- Orchestrator: Mark Graham
- Key Costumer: Chrissy Callan
- Location Manager: Michael Glaser
- Script Coordinator: Parker Neff
- Driver: Albert Menchaca
- Driver: Chresten Pope
- Production Assistant: Etan Barazani
- Production Assistant: Austin Cummings
- Transportation Captain: Sean Larsen
- Driver: Michael Norvell
- Driver: John VandeMerwe
- Additional Production Assistant: Erin Copeland
- Production Assistant: Shane Morrisun
- Set Medic: Dana Curt
- Production Assistant: Alex Patho
- Production Assistant: Brandon Michael Vayda
- Production Assistant: Gregory Bankston
- Second Assistant Accountant: Tracey Holyoak
- Dialect Coach: Kohli Calhoun
- Set Production Assistant: Carlie Merlo
- Hairstylist: Kelly Porter
- Screenplay: Kevin Costner
- Executive Producer: Robert Scannell
- Executive Producer: Barry M. Berg
- Original Music Composer: John Debney
- Executive Producer: Charlie Lyons
- Executive Producer: Rod Lake
- Executive Producer: Armyan Bernstein
- Producer: Mark Gillard
- Producer: Howard Kaplan
- Editor: Miklos Wright
- Production Design: Derek R. Hill
- Costume Design: Lisa Lovaas
- Casting: Angela Young
- Director of Photography: J. Michael Muro
- Casting: April Webster
- Screenplay: Jon Baird
- Story: Mark Kasdan
- Executive Producer: Danny Peykoff
Catogories:
Western,Drama
This is one unbelievable add-on!
The American saga begins this summer.
Language:
English
Production:
United States of America
Company:
Territory Pictures
Popularity:
96.844
Date:
2024-06-26
Year:
2024
- CinemaSerf: Well it’s certainly a saga! Against a backdrop of the American Civil war we are introduced to half a dozen different spokes on the wheel of pioneering America that gradually head towards a centre of what I assume will be the creation of the fabric of modern day USA by the end of part four. It begins rather brutally when a woman shoots a man then flees the scene with her infant child. Despite her proximity to the victim he survives and orders his two sons to pursue her. Meantime, there’s a wagon train heading across the Apache dominated territory under the command of “Matthew” (Owen Wilson) and, separately, “Hayes” (Kevin Costner) is doing a bit of wintery horse-trading. With the younger Apache restless and determined to do what they can to thwart the encroachment on their ancient hunting grounds, they attack another white-man’s settlement decimating the population. It’s only after some sterling riding from the young “Russell” (Etienne Kellici) to a nearby army post that we meet “Lt. Gephart” (Sam Worthington) and his sagely “Sgt. Major Riordan” (Michael Rooker) who arrive to pick up the pieces amidst the charred ruins. The survivors include the terrified “Frances” (Sienna Miller) and her daughter “Lizzie” (Georgie MacPhail) whom they rescue from a tunnel in which they were hiding. The two adults immediately click perhaps offering us a glimmer of romance for the remorseful widow? Across the country, “Hayes” arrives in a small settlement where he encounters the good-time girl “Marigold” (Abbey Lee) and her young baby who just happen to be the one the avenging sons are looking for. Needless to say he, and his Colt revolver, have to come to the rescue and they decide it’s better to take to the hills to avoid yet more trouble. With the forbidding west outstretched before these characters and the dangers and demons of their pasts never far behind them, the adventure is teed up for part two. To be fair, this looks great with some stunning drone cinematography illustrating really well the the scope of this virgin land that is every bit as hostile at times as those who have lived there for generations. There’s also some impressive battle scenes as the maturing natives try to protects their homeland. The style of the rest of the narrative is just all a bit too bitty, though. Costner doesn’t really appear until hour two and the substantial elements of the plot draw heavily from a very well established genre that it was always going to be difficult to reinvent or reimagine. The score helps it along rousingly at times and dialogue is sparingly used by most of the characters which is also quite a sensible tactic as we quickly realise we are in for just as long a slog as the settlers. It’s the necessary character establishment part of this story which we can only hope will pad out the people more and rely less on the visuals as the story progresses. Otherwise, it’s not really much better than a series of episodes of “Bonanza” bolted together.
- r96sk: ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’ surpassed my expectations!
A three-hour western, which is only the first of many connected entries? Yeah, that doesn’t exactly set the pulses racing! Based on that, I was anticipating it to be a slow-moving set-up to future chapters. However, to my surprise this opening installment is a lot of fun. For a film of such a length, it absolutely flies by; this felt like a 2hr, max, movie to me.
My main praise for this film is directed at the pacing (evidently), the visuals and the score – the latter is particularly outstanding. I will say there are a fair few scenes that I felt could’ve been lit better, mainly across the opening chunk – not a big deal, though.
There are so many characters in this, some may say too many but honestly I enjoyed all the different people portrayed onscreen. Kevin Costner is very solid, though to be truthful he isn’t really involved all that much in this chapter – at least to how much I was expecting to see of him. I wouldn’t say there is a main standout from the cast, but I don’t mean that negatively.
Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Abbey Lee, Jamie Campbell Bower and Michael Rooker are some of the notable performers, though it truly is an ensemble because I can’t really separate any of them based on their performanes – which is actually a good thing. Mind you, as good as he is, Rooker’s Irish accent is awful, I gotta say – rather distracting.
How annoying that we have to wait so long for the seque… oh, ‘‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2’‘ drops next month! Bring it on!
…oh, and I (unintentionally) watched this on July 4th – how American of me. *shudders*
- TheSceneSnobs: Kevin Costner channels his inner John Ford with his immense passion project, starting with Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1. Unfortunately, in this initial chapter, he falls short of making a lasting impression akin to Ford’s timeless works. Costner serves as the film’s producer, director, co-writer, and star, undertaking a monumental task. This film marks the first chapter of a four-part epic series that weaves together the lives of various characters around the territory of ‘Horizon’. The saga will span 12 years, with this first film serving to introduce Horizon and its primary characters.
The ensemble cast is led by Costner himself, alongside Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Luke Wilson, and many more. While the cast is impressive on paper, the execution leaves much to be desired. The characters feel underdeveloped, and the acting often comes across as lackluster. Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington, despite their talents, struggle to breathe life into their roles, making their characters feel one-dimensional.
On a positive note, Costner’s direction and the film’s cinematography are commendable. The sweeping landscapes and meticulously crafted shots capture the grandeur and harsh beauty of the American frontier. His wide-angle shots of the sprawling territory and close-ups that highlight the characters’ rugged determination are visually stunning, reminiscent of classic Westerns. These elements create an immersive atmosphere that is one of the film’s few strengths.
The primary issue with Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is its role as a setup for future installments. The film feels more like an extended prologue than a standalone story. The plot is fragmented, with numerous threads introduced but few developed to a satisfying degree.
While the film has its flaws, it lays the groundwork for what could become a compelling saga. The potential for intricate storytelling and character development exists, but it is not fully realized in this first chapter. If the subsequent films can build on this foundation and address the gaps in the plot, Horizon could evolve into an epic worth watching. However, if the pacing and character development issues persist, maintaining interest in the series may prove challenging.
Given its ambitious scope and narrative structure, Horizon: An American Saga might have been better served as a TV miniseries. This format would allow for more detailed character arcs and a more deliberate pacing, giving the story the room it needs to unfold organically. The episodic nature of television could provide the depth and continuity that the film format struggles to achieve in this case.
Overall, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is a visually impressive but narratively weak start to Kevin Costner’s ambitious project. While the direction and cinematography stand out, the lackluster acting and fragmented plot diminish its impact. The film serves primarily as a setup for future chapters, which may hold promise if they can build upon and enrich the story introduced here. As it stands, Horizon has potential, but it will need to deliver more in its subsequent installments to truly captivate its audience.
- DonGable: Feels like an entire season of a TV show compressed into a 3-hour motion picture.
It’s beautiful to look at, but has no chance to set up its characters and make you care about them, even though it demands it. Not coming back for the sequels.
