Hatfields & McCoys [DVD]

It is said that the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys made it so that one name cannot be said without the other. Starting at the end of the Civil War, and bringing the states of Kentucky and West Virginia close to a war of its own, the events of that bloody conflict have left their mark on American history. Now, the History Channel ventures into scripted drama for the first time with the miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys," an intense, character-driven film that looks at the price of feuding.What really drives this four-hour plus film are the outstanding performances by the cast, which works from a powerfully-penned script. Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton do brilliant work. You do not really "like" either character in the traditional sense of the word, but you definitely find them fascinating, and cannot help but enjoy the powerful work these two do. The supporting cast is fantastic as well, really finding the human drive behind these real-life characters.The filmmakers have also done a brilliant job of bringing 19th Century Appalachia to life, through the beautiful cinematography, set design, and even the music of the period. John Debney and Tony Morales' score is haunting and wonderful to listen to when set to the imagery. Even though the film was shot in Romania, you cannot help but feel as if you are in the Tug River Valley of West Virginia/Kentucky in the mid to late-1800s.Overall, "Hatfields & McCoys" is a brilliant, powerful and dramatic look at this dark time in the Appalachians, when a quarrel between two families escalated into a blood feud, with innocent lives taken down along with the guilty. If you love historical drama, westerns, or great film, then you are sure to enjoy this series!Grade: A

Clocking in at just under five hours, this mini-series is a very well-done fictionalization of Kentucky’s infamous Hatfield vs McCoy feud. With Kevin Costner and the late Bill Paxton headlining an excellent cast, the show is very well-shot (as, unfortunately, are many of the characters). Romania stands in for Kentucky, and it’s very apparent that a lot of money was put into this production. The sets and exteriors both look great, and there isn’t a whiff of cheapness anywhere to be found. Some might find it a tad long, but this is a story that couldn’t easily have been told in the movie-length foramt. The miniseries chronicles the birth of the feud between both family patriarchs during a Civil War battle and runs all the way to its bloody termination. There’s plenty of gunfights, drama, and even a little character development along the way, and afficionados of the western genre (even though this is technically an ‘eastern’) should find a lot to enjoy here. Extra features are pretty bare-bones, limited to a small amount of behind-the-scenes documentary footage, but considering the price of this set on Amazon, it still makes for excellent value. Highly recommended.

Awesome movie from beginning to end

This is a very entertaining and well acted mini series. Doing the research on the history shows that it is pretty accurate as well, right down to the agonizing way Old Randall McCoy ended up dying. The only thing that they did romanticize a bit was that they made Johnsey Hatfield more of a nice guy than in real life. In real life, he never offered to marry Rosanna, and she left him after a few months because of it. And the baby did die early, as did Rosanna herself not long after. They do say that they think it was from “a broken heart” since she had no specific disease, to speak of. Tidbit…. I live in Maryland very near West Virginia, and one of the great grandsons of Devil Anse Hatfield is my mechanic!

Obsessed with this movie. Kevin Costner is incredible in this movie. Worth the price.

The Hatfields and McCoys 3 part movie presented by The History Channel was something I had missed upon its initial showing, so I was definitely glad to find on DVD.The Hatfields and McCoys feud was surely much more involved than just the Romeo and Juliet story (that I had always heard about as a youngster), although, Johnse Hatfield and Roseanne McCoy wanting to marry during the middle of this blood/feud did not detour either clan from its growing hatred for the other. Johnse and Roseanne’s love for each other just exacerbated the tensions—and THEN she got pregnant!In a nutshell the movie shows Anse Hatfield (Kevin Costner) and the overtly Christian Randall McCoy (Bill Paxton) at serious odds over their position on the Civil War. Randall McCoy was not pleased Anse Hatfield deserted after a bloody civil war battle; with McCoy (Paxton) barely surviving the remainder of the war returning home a changed, beaten and (post traumatic stress, anyone) bitter man. Hence, Randall’s enhanced Christian fanaticism.What follows scarcely resembles law and order with the McCoy matriarch getting something resembling legal assistance from Roger Cline (a really good Ronan Vibert).Along the way bounty Hunter Bad Frank Phillips is hired to track down The Hatfields. Like I said, law and order is not at the forefront.Tom Berenger is uncle Jim Vance; and arguably the least liked character in a movie that is full of short fused, ignited by ignorant, occasionally illiterate(?) violence.Considering Berenger’s variety (Major League, The Big Chill, Platoon, someone to Watch Over Me) I found myself wondering why he didn’t receive more praise for his performances. Berenger is almost unrecognizable in the Hatfields and McCoys; and it’s not just the beard (think Edmund O’Brien in The Wild Bunch…).Jena Malone portrays a revenge obsessed, McCoy cousin. Lethal and seductive she flaunts what she’s got to get her way.Powers Booth is a Hatfield Judge who is inevitably accused of favoritism.Directed by Costner friend Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) Hatfields and McCoys is very well made, does not seem to pull any punches, and appears to be quite authentic and realistic to the time period represented. The ‘look’ cinematography very appropriately conjures up similarities tojohn Sayles’ classic Matewan (appropriate, also, ‘cuz tidbit: David Strathairn portrayed sheriff Sid Hatfield—definitely related to Anse Hatfield et al).This border war (Kentucky and West Virginia) between two rival families became one for the ages for good reason. I kinda’ wonder what took so long to give this brutal (maybe that’s why) story a proper telling. After 290 minutes I did not feel it was too long.3 parts on 2 discs.Plus, a good making of documentary with everyone from Costner to Paxton, Director Reynolds to stunt coordinator as well as Mare Winningham talking about walking into a burning cabin to film a scene. Real fire. She was nervous and who can blame her. There is some needed levity with the ‘making of’ doc which might be worthwhile watching IMMEDIATELY after experiencing this Hatfield and McCoy blood/feud recreation.4.8 stars.This movie is pretty relentless. That’s why I didn’t give it 5 stars. Probably not for the squeamish who don’t like seeing kids and dogs in peril.

I was just in that area, still full of history.

Got a great deal on such a great movie!!