Introduction Silverado
'Silverado' is a 1985 American Western film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, starring Kevin Costner as Emmett 'The Kid' Long, a young outlaw who joins his brother's gang to seek revenge against their father's killer. The story takes place in the late 1800s and revolves around themes of family feuds, loyalty, and betrayal. Set against the backdrop of the American West, the film is a remake of John Sturges' 1957 classic 'The Badlanders', which itself was based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. However, Kasdan's adaptation deviates significantly from its predecessors, offering a fresh perspective on the Western genre. Starring alongside Costner are Scott Glenn as Jake Long, Emmett's older brother and the leader of their gang; Jeff Goldblum as Charley Waite, an amiable gunslinger who becomes embroiled in their plans; and Brian Dennehy as John H. Cooper, a ruthless cattle baron responsible for the Long family's downfall. Throughout its 132-minute runtime, 'Silverado' expertly weaves together action sequences, character-driven drama, and sweeping cinematography to create a captivating Western that explores the complexities of human relationships amidst the lawless frontier of the American West.
Plot and Themes Silverado
Silverado is a Western film released in 1985, directed by Lawrence Kasdan. The movie takes place in the late 1800s and follows the story of Emmett 'The Kid' Long (Kevin Kline), who returns to his hometown, Red Rock, with his brother Jake's (Tom Waits) body after he is killed in a bar fight. As Emmett arrives in town, he meets Rose (Laura Allen), a beautiful woman who has been wronged by the evil Sheriff Langston (Brian Dennehy). The Sheriff has taken control of the local saloon and is using his power to intimidate the townspeople. Emmett decides to stay in town and help Rose take down the Sheriff. The main theme of Silverado is the struggle for justice and fair play. Emmett, as a stranger in town, represents the outsider who seeks to right wrongs and bring order to a chaotic environment. The movie also explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. Throughout the film, Emmett faces various challenges, including confrontations with the Sheriff's henchmen and rival outlaws. He also forms alliances with other characters, such as Rose and John 'The Bull' Hardy (Kevin Costner), who becomes his ally in the fight against Langston. Ultimately, Silverado is a classic Western tale of good vs. evil, where the hero must overcome numerous obstacles to achieve victory. The movie features memorable performances from its cast, particularly Kline and Dennehy, and has become a cult favorite among Western enthusiasts.
Performance and Direction Silverado
'Silverado' is a 1985 American Western film directed by Lawrence Kasdan. The film stars Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Jeff Goldblum, and Kevin Costner. **Acting Performances:** * **Kevin Kline:** He plays the role of Emmett 'Doc' Holliday, a gambler who joins his friend Wyatt Earp in Tombstone to help him deal with the Clantons. Kline brings depth and nuance to his character, making Doc a believable and relatable figure. * **Scott Glenn:** As Wyatt Earp, Glenn gives a strong performance as the rugged and determined lawman. He has great chemistry with Kevin Kline's character, which is essential for their friendship and partnership in the film. * **Jeff Goldblum:** Although his role is somewhat limited, Goldblum shines as Johnny Ringo, the leader of the Clantons. He brings a level of sophistication to his character that adds an interesting dynamic to the conflict between the Earps and the Clantons. **Direction:** * **Lawrence Kasdan:** The direction by Kasdan is solid, with some impressive action sequences and well-paced scenes. However, the film's pacing could be improved upon at times, making it feel a bit uneven. * **Visuals:** The cinematography by Owen Roizman is beautiful, capturing the dusty landscapes of Arizona during the late 19th century. **Other:** * **Script:** The screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Leslie Megahey is well-written, with some memorable lines and character interactions. However, it could have been tightened up in places to make the story feel more streamlined. * **Music:** The score by Bruce Broughton adds a lot of emotional depth to the film's key scenes. Overall, 'Silverado' is a solid Western film with strong performances from its leads and decent direction from Lawrence Kasdan. While it has some flaws, it remains an enjoyable watch for fans of the genre.
Technical Aspects Silverado
'Silverado' (1985) is a Western film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, starring Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, and Kevin Kline. While not a visually groundbreaking film, 'Silverado' does feature some notable technical aspects that enhance its overall storytelling and immersive experience. **Cinematography:** The cinematography in 'Silverado' was handled by John Bailey. The film features a mix of bright, vibrant colors to reflect the desert landscape and more muted tones for the interior scenes. The use of natural light is prominent throughout the movie, with many outdoor scenes shot during the golden hour or using high-contrast lighting to create interesting shadows. The camera work is often fluid and dynamic, with a focus on capturing the action and movement of the characters. This is particularly evident in the scenes featuring horseback chases and gunfights, which were filmed using practical stunts whenever possible. **Sound Design:** The sound design for 'Silverado' was handled by Richard Hymns and Robert Knudson. The film's score was composed by Bruce Broughton, who incorporated a range of instruments to create a distinctive Western flavor. The sound effects in the film are also noteworthy, with a focus on creating an immersive environment that draws the viewer into the world of the story. This is particularly evident during the action scenes, where the sound design helps to create a sense of chaos and urgency. **Visual Effects:** While 'Silverado' does not feature any groundbreaking visual effects, there are some notable uses of practical techniques to enhance certain scenes. For example, the film's horseback chases were achieved using a combination of real horses and stunt riders, as well as camera tricks such as slow motion and fast motion to create a sense of speed. The gunfights in the film also use a mix of practical and visual effects to create the illusion of bullets flying through the air. This was achieved by using a technique called "bullet hits," where blank rounds were fired from guns and then edited into the footage to create the illusion of real bullets hitting their targets. **Additional Technical Notes:** * The film was shot on 35mm film, with a combination of standard wide-angle lenses and specialized lenses for specific shots (such as a fisheye lens for certain interior scenes). * The costume design in 'Silverado' was handled by Jean-Pierre Dorleac, who drew inspiration from the clothing worn during the late 1800s. * The film's editing was handled by Norman Hollyn, who worked closely with director Lawrence Kasdan to create a cohesive and engaging narrative.
More Details Silverado
'Silverado' is a 1985 American Western film directed by Louis Leterrier (not to be confused with the director of 'The Incredible Hulk') and written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. **Cast:** * Kevin Kline as Emmett * Scott Glenn as Paine * Kevin Costner as Jake Gittes * Brian Dennehy as Lane * John Cleese as Hannassey **Production Companies:** * Paramount Pictures * Associated Film Distribution (AFD) * Silverado Productions **Interesting Trivia:** 1. The film's script was originally written in 1978, but it took nearly a decade for the project to come together. 2. Louis Leterrier is not credited as the director on the original release of the movie, due to some creative differences with the producers. However, he has since been acknowledged as the true director by many sources. 3. The film was shot primarily in Utah and California, with some scenes also filmed in Oregon. 4. Kevin Kline and Scott Glenn were both relatively new to acting when they appeared in 'Silverado', but their performances helped establish them as leading men in Hollywood. 5. John Cleese's character, Hannassey, is a nod to his previous work on the British TV series 'Fawlty Towers'. His character's mannerisms are similar to those of Basil Fawlty from that show. 6. The movie received mixed reviews from critics upon its initial release, but has since developed a cult following among Western enthusiasts and fans of Kevin Costner. 7. Despite not being a major commercial success at the time of its release, 'Silverado' helped launch the careers of several actors involved in the production, including Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, and Kevin Costner. 8. The film's score was composed by Bruce Broughton, who is known for his work on numerous Westerns throughout his career. 9. A novelization of the screenplay was written by William F. Nolan, an American author best known for his horror fiction. 10. 'Silverado' has been cited as one of the greatest Western films ever made by several critics and historians, due to its unique blend of action, drama, and comedy elements.
Conclusion Silverado
The movie 'Silverado' is a classic Western film that explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and betrayal. The film's greatest strength lies in its strong characters, particularly Chris Cooper (Scott Glenn) and Jack Palance (Strother Martin), who deliver standout performances. The cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the vast expanse of the American West in stunning detail. The film's score by Bruce Broughton adds depth and emotion to key scenes, elevating their impact on the viewer. On the other hand, the pacing can be uneven at times, with some scenes feeling rushed and others dragging on too long. Additionally, the plot can feel overly complex, with multiple storylines that don't always mesh together seamlessly. Despite these weaknesses, I still find 'Silverado' to be a highly enjoyable film. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and their camaraderie is genuinely moving at times. The action scenes are also well-executed, with plenty of intense shootouts and fistfights to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. In conclusion, 'Silverado' is a flawed but ultimately rewarding Western that is well worth watching for fans of the genre. Its strong characters, memorable performances, and beautiful cinematography make it a standout among other Westerns. While its pacing issues and complex plot may detract from the overall experience, these are minor complaints compared to the film's many strengths. Overall, I highly recommend 'Silverado' to anyone looking for a classic Western with plenty of heart and action.