Kevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western Shootout

Kevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western Shootout

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  • Kevin Costner Called The Open Range Shootout Scene A ‘Running Battle’
  • The Shootout in Open Range Lasts 17 minutes
  • Kevin Costner Keeps Making Westerns

As a longtime fan of Western films, I can’t help but be in awe of Kevin Costner’s unwavering dedication and passion for this classic genre. Growing up, my father would often regale me with tales of John Wayne and the Wild West, instilling in me a deep appreciation for the American cowboy spirit. Yet, I could never quite imagine embodying that iconic persona myself. That is until I came across Kevin Costner’s body of work.


Kevin Costner shines on both sides of the camera, delivering exceptional performances for big and small audiences. Although he’s no longer part of “Yellowstone,” Costner remains busy producing Western films. His contributions to this genre have been consistent, although their box office successes differ greatly. For instance, his 2024 film “Horizon: An American Saga” underperformed at the box office, while the iconic “Dances with Wolves” earned seven Academy Awards.

As a big fan of Western movies, I’d like to share my appreciation for a lesser-known gem in this genre – “Open Range,” released in 2003. Starring Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, and Annette Benning, this film tells the story from the perspective of a former gunman, who finds himself compelled to confront an unjust lawman to safeguard not only his own life but also his cattle herd and crew.

It’s amazing how Kevin Costner managed to combine so much intensity and emotion into a single scene in “Open Range.” Through his discussions about his methods and objectives for the film, we gain a deeper understanding of this powerful moment.

Kevin Costner Called The Open Range Shootout Scene A ‘Running Battle’

Kevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western Shootout

In the climactic moment of “Open Range,” the last scene that stays with viewers, a fierce showdown unfolds. Boss Pearman (Robert Duvall) and Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), along with Percy (Michael Jeter), confront Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon) and his gang. It’s evident that Pearman and Waite have accepted their possible fate.

The gunfight scene in “Open Range,” as depicted by Costner, was both extended and authentic. In an interview with the Ventura County Star in 2008, Costner referred to it as a “prolonged fight,” which took around 12 days to film. As the director of the movie, Costner shared that he had to return to other scenes numerous times. The scene demanded horses that could endure gunfire; only a small portion was captured in slow motion. According to Costner, using slow motion would negatively impact the realism of the scene.

To maintain a uniform appearance, Costner inserted clouds into the scene during post-production. Due to the extended filming duration of the shootout, natural clouds varied significantly, making it necessary to use digital enhancements.

The Shootout in Open Range Lasts 17 minutes

Kevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western Shootout

In 2014, Kevin Costner, the director of “Open Range,” acknowledged that many people appreciated the extended gunfight scene in the film. As both the director and an actor, it was crucial for Costner to ensure authenticity and keep viewers captivated during this pivotal moment.

In my perspective as a fan, this Western film left an indelible mark on critics like Roger Ebert back in 2003. He commended the intricacies of Boss and his gang’s storyline and the intense showdown with Baxter, remarking how masterfully it resembled a classic Western. In an interview from that year, Costner shared insights about his approach to gun scenes in Western films. He emphasized the importance of loud guns that instill fear, explaining that “hurt isn’t limited to people; animals and structures suffer too, leaving deep emotional scars.”

In the commentary for the film “Open Range” on its DVD, Costner acknowledged an error in the shootout scene. He confessed that this was partly due to his enthusiasm for a characteristic of Westerns that he appreciates greatly. Costner has always been intrigued by reloading scenes in movies, but in “Open Range,” Charley is shown shooting more than six times consecutively while brandishing a six-shooter. Costner incorporated the action of “fanning” the weapon into the film as well. He explained that he hadn’t seen this iconic Western move for a long time and was unable to justify its absence other than his strong desire to include it.

Kevin Costner Keeps Making Westerns

Kevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western ShootoutKevin Costner Directed the Greatest Modern Western Shootout

In 2014, Kevin Costner shared with Role Recall how his fascination with Westerns developed. He recalled, “My father was a big fan of John Wayne’s films. He encouraged me by saying, ‘You could do that.’… However, I can’t be John Wayne, but my passion for the American Western genre has grown personally.”

Costner consistently demonstrates his ability to excel in Western films. His natural talent, masculine charm, and deep-rooted passion make him perfectly suited to portray rugged cowboys on screen time and time again. In the role of John Dutton in “Yellowstone,” Costner breathed life into the contemporary cowboy persona. Yet, he is equally at ease donning a cowboy hat and boots in historical contexts.

As a huge fan of Western films, I can’t help but be in awe of Kevin Costner’s impressive directorial journey in this genre. Having grown up watching his iconic performances in classics like “Dances with Wolves” and “Silverado,” I was thrilled when he took the reins for “Open Range.”

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2024-07-21 02:01