Kevin Costner, renowned for his role in the film Dances with Wolves, when he gallantly rode a horse over the vast American desert with his arms extended, returns with his new cinematic endeavour that delves into the untamed essence of the Old West. The American Civil War is the backdrop for this four-part film. It portrays the enduring impact of conflict and turmoil on the region and its people. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, directed, co-written, and produced by Kevin Costner, who also stars in it, is to bring the taste of a profound Western movie with its own characters nestling on the land of blood and fire.
Despite the diverse cast, the film centres on a conflict fuelled by intense emotions and violence. As the Native Americans launch an assault on the white community residing near the river, it becomes evident that a perilous war is ahead – an epic struggle that defies all cinematic clichés. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is not where white people oppress American Indians; rather, it is individuals who resort to violence against others in pursuit of personal riches and societal acceptance of their avarice. As it seems, “Revenge” would be the forbidden fruit of “Horizon,” in which its inhabitants inevitably have to taste it as they are destined to.
The film opens with a blazing inferno and a parallel editing between two human groups: the Europeans, who find a new land and want to settle it, and the Apaches, who fight valiantly to protect the land that their ancestors had settled there. But that’s not all: as the game progresses, we meet new faces who have no backstory whatsoever as if we were going to spend seasons teasingly following their journey. They appear to be the characters of a novel trying to find their own place, reason, and life quest. The film chronicles the varied and complex 12-year period of Western American colonisation and growth before and during the Civil War, revealing the highs and lows of the narrative as it unfolds. Sienna Miller portrays “Frances Kittredge,” whose husband is slain by Apache warriors in the opening sequences of the film, and later the story shifts to “Hayes Ellison.” Although Kevin Costner’s character faces personal struggles, there may not be an immediate apparent link between them. The land, however, is the common thread that connects these conflicts.
Frances Kittredge and her daughter, together with a group of men, are the survivors of the violent conflict. They watched the brutal actions of Native Americans, who set their homes ablaze and mercilessly killed their families. Sam Worthington’s portrayal of Lieutenant “Trent Gephart,” starring in the film Avatar, requested their presence in a different territory under the American Army’s protection. However, they are unwilling to comply without seeking retribution. Conversely, the wise man from the Apache tribe holds “Pionsenay” (Owen Crow Shoe) responsible for his violent actions against the white dwellers. However, Pionsenay deliberately ignores the situation and blames him for failing to defend their homeland; the old man holds the belief that “Pionsenay” is the catalyst for retribution.
Contrarily, Hayes, who arrived in Wyoming with the aim of discovering gold, has now been inadvertently entangled in a fresh war and is compelled to relocate to a place called “Horizon” with Marigold, portrayed by Abbey Lee. Apparently, this is the promised land of common ground for all individuals.
As early as 1988, Kevin Costner began developing the screenplay for the film series, driven by his conviction that the authentic historical account of America in the Old West should motivate the audience. Over time, Costner refined the screenplay, transitioning it from initially having two main performers to ultimately showcasing a full ensemble cast. Costner clarified his intention to accurately portray the United States’ 12-year journey and the impact of the American Civil War by expanding the script into a series of four individual films. Additionally, he aimed to engage the audience in the moviegoing experience. In 2014, the director augmented the series’ intentions by introducing a trilogy of films. The development process spanned many years until Costner and Jon Baird worked on the screenplay in 2012, resulting in the creation of four distinct films. Costner intentionally designed these films with a darker tone than his previous westerns.
In summary, the film introduces the first segment of a lengthy story that seamlessly integrates Western elements with various narrative threads, creating a complex and engrossing experience that leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the subsequent instalments. The abrupt introduction of characters without any emotional connection within the sequences hinders the film’s ability to establish character involvement. According to an overview, the film may appear to be a disorganised portrayal of characters with no clear chronological order. We transition between several narratives, with the sole connection being a piece of paper labelled Horizon. However, this film’s cinematography enhances the viewing experience by including broad vistas of the untamed meadows and American-style images reminiscent of Western films with stars such as “Clint Eastwood.” These elements contribute to the enjoyment and satisfaction of watching a film, going beyond the reliance on modern visual effects and computer-generated art.
We must wait to see what Costner will narrate in detail. While evaluating the book solely based on a single chapter may not be appropriate, we can affirm that he captivated the audiences in the dimly lit theatres, allowing them to witness one of the most significant chapters in American history.
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