Actor Kevin Costner invests years into creating four-part frontier drama “Horizon”, facing challenges like massive interconnected plots and landscapes when chasing historical authenticity.
For decades, actor Kevin Costner has chased his passion telling stories of America’s mythic frontier past through films like “Dances with Wolves.” Now he ambitiously attempts his magnum opus in “Horizon”, an epic four-part Western drama series set surrounding the Civil War era.
I’m Not Giving Up on Kevin Costner’s Epic New Western “Horizon”
Kevin Costner has devoted his career to the Western film genre. With recent hits like the TV series “Yellowstone”, he has proven there is still strong interest in stories about the American West and the history of the frontier. His newest project, an epic four-part Western drama called “Horizon”, continues this legacy. I recently watched the first chapter of “Horizon” and while it has some flaws, I’m intrigued enough to keep following Kevin Costner out West.
Introduction to “Horizon” and Kevin Costner
“Horizon” focuses on the settlement of the Western frontiers in the years surrounding the Civil War. It has a sprawling cast of characters including pioneers, soldiers, outlaws, Native Americans and more. Kevin Costner directs and stars as a frontiersman named Hayes Ellison.
Costner has shown a lifelong fascination with this time period and landscape. Past hits like “Dances With Wolves” and “Open Range” demonstrate his passion for authenticity and dramatic Western storytelling. “Horizon” represents the pinnacle of his dedication, with Costner personally investing $38 million into the production.
The Vision and Backstory of “Horizon”
“Horizon” aims to capture the essence of America’s “manifest destiny” era and the good and evil encountered on the wild frontier. The title itself represents the dream of a better future that compelled hundreds of thousands to trek West in search of their fortune. As the long hours in the saddle replaced civilization with never-ending skies and prairies, this “Horizon” kept the wagon trains lumbering on through adversity.
In interviews, Costner has explained he wrote the four films over seven years along with co-screenwriters Jon Baird and Keith Clarke. The massive scope of the story required an extended production to maintain authenticity. Filming occurred on location across the Western United States including New Mexico, Wyoming and more over two years. Like old Hollywood Westerns shot in iconic destinations like Monument Valley, the lands themselves become a character.
Diving Into the Complex Story and Characters
In the three-hour first chapter, the audience is introduced to about a dozen major characters spanning the frontier. Revolutionary War veteran Hayes Ellison (Costner) leads a huge herd of mustangs toward the growing Western settlements, where more pragmatic folk see dollar signs on four hooves.
We meet resilient pioneer women like Frances Kittredge (Sienna Miller) defending their homesteads against violent tribal raids. Her teen daughter Elizabeth forms bonds with both natives and the white invaders – two cultures clashing over the land they equally love. The celebrated native actor Zahn McClarnon (“Fargo”) plays Blackfoot chief White Fox struggling to protect ancestral territory from aggressive settlers and soldiers.
Both in substance and style, this multiplicity of perspectives connects “Horizon” to classic films like “How The West Was Won”. It presents frontier life as nuanced – beyond basic cowboys versus Indians tropes. However, juggling this huge cast over the decades-long story risks character development suffering for plot.
Challenges in the Length and Production
The main criticism of the film is trying to cover too much ground. At over three hours, the crowded storyline prevents emotional moments from landing. Plot lines feel interrupted just when tension mounts. Key relationships between characters remain vague even after intimate scenes.
The film was clearly victim to significant edits, likely due to financial and scheduling pressures. Rumors during filming suggested disputes between Costner and the producers over run time. Over two dozen main roles and several interconnected plot lines simply require more space to breathe properly. Add on heritage responsibility and historical accuracy, and four films makes sense.
While director and star Costner’s devotion to the project is clear, he took production challenges head on. Coordinating the rotating cast, crew, livestock, and equipment caravans between states and eras proved a mighty undertaking. Winter weather brought particular difficulties when recreating Montana frontier towns. Faithfully capturing the beautiful but harsh Western settings ultimately enhances the realism – reminding that mother nature always humbles human ambition.
Horizon’s Place Among Other Modern Westerns
Fans often compare “Horizon” with Costner’s hit series “Yellowstone”, given the similar settings and motifs if not shared characters. However, creator Taylor Sheridan’s writing favors a pulpier, more indulgent tone focusing on the modern West. “Horizon” aligns better with classics like “Dances with Wolves” or the recent “The Power of the Dog” that use open vistas and Communitys to explore timeless themes.
Western films dominated early Hollywood, but waned in recent decades as studios chased superhero blockbusters overseas. Yet the few released still display an audience, especially with mature crowds and during awards seasons. “The Revenant” and “True Grit” succeeded in theaters, while artful miniseries “1883” and “Godless” drew eyes to streaming services. Combine nostalgia with beautiful backdrops, and the genre finds new life.
Perhaps to stand apart, “Horizon” employs very classical filmmaking. Patient wide shots without quick edits or bombastic scores. Meticulous practical set design and costuming, extensive location shoots. A rotating roster of legendary western character actors. These elements echo John Ford, Henry Hathaway and contemporaries who mastered the form. Cosmopolitan crowds reared on superhero films may lose patience with such an old school approach. But plenty still pine for bold sagas of America’s mythic history.
What the Future Holds for “Horizon”
Can “Horizon” complete its epic journey given doubts over financial viability or audience attention spans? Chapter 2 already finished principle filming, with parts 3 and 4 scripted but awaiting green lights. With Costner personally funding half the $100 million production, he clearly feels passionately about exhaustively sharing this decades-spanning frontier tale.
I remain compelled by the possibilities of the premise, visuals and talent involved, despite obvious flaws. With a foundation laid, later chapters can concentrate characters and relationships without tedious exposition. Fans love dissecting complex universes across movies and shows these days – its success just requires patience. Regardless of box office, “Horizon” will be inevitably compared against the greatest westerns on themes of manifest destiny, civilization’s light and shadows. For that alone I will saddle up for each new season and bask under those big western skies.
Key Takeaways:
- Actor/director Kevin Costner explores an epic western drama production over years and films in “Horizon”
- Attempts of historical authenticity like sweeping vistas and rustic design echo Hollywood tradition
- Ambitious interconnected plots with dozens of frontier archetypes risks being too sprawling
- Challenges capturing the essence of America’s mythic “manifest destiny” era on film
- Costner’s dedication ensures at least first installments finished; completions depends on reception
- Patient audiences can enjoy old-school filmmaking and the possibilities of its premise
Let me know your thoughts on “Horizon” and Kevin Costner’s dedication to authentic Western epics. Could this sprawling frontier undertaking soar or collapse under its own weight? I’m excited to keep saddling up through future chapters.
