Bone Tomahawk

When i was a kid, i loved watching certain western films, especially the iconic western films from legendary director Sergio Leone. I don´t think any director can make western films, as good as he did. He knew exactly how a western film should look like, all the classic characters you could ask for. And let´s not forget the fantastic costumes, designed for each film. As the 70´s arrived, western films kept on coming, in all shapes and styles. But as the 80´s came along, this was the start of a time, where western films lost its audience. Kevin Costner did release Silverado, and Clint Eastwood did what he could with Pale Rider, but it was clear that times were changing. What used to be a genre, appreciated by all ages, was about to disappear. But in the year 1992, the whole world could not escape from the fact, that western was back again. Unforgiven, directed by Clint Eastwood, became a huge success, and won several awards. It seemed that this could be the key, to this classic genre, finally coming back on track. But the happiness did not last very long. Tombstone, a film based on the classic character Wyatt Earp, did pretty well at the box office, while Kevin Costner´s own version called Wyatt Earp, bombed at the box office. One of my personal favoruite western films from the 90´s, called The Quick And The Dead, did have a cool look, and nice cinematography, but also bombed at the box office. Western was once again no longer a priority for the audience. If we look at present day, it is pretty clear only a few directors dare to bring back western films, mostly smaller budget films, since some studios are afraid to loose money. Last year, we finally got what we have asked for a long time. The Salvation, an epic western film, directed by Kristian Levring. This film have a really good cast of Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green, Mikael Persbrandt, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Eric Cantona. Really good acting, beautiful scenery that fits really good to the story, and well made costumes. So when i read an article, that legendary actor Kurt Russel, would be in a new western film called Bone Tomahawk, i was feeling a positive vibe. Since i enjoyed his performance in Tombstone, 22 years ago ( time sure flies by ), it was nice to see him return in a different story, and to see him in this atmosphere again. I actually decided not to read any reviews on Bone Tomahawk, or read about the plot of the film, just to see what this would be. Since i have enjoyed many of Kurt Russel´s films in his career, including Death Proof, i was hoping that he would deliver once more. Is Bone Tomahawk the return to western films that we were hoping for, or is this a bad try to bring back a genre that does not show up very often ?

It is the early 1900´s. 2 men, Purvis ( David Arquette ) and Buddy ( Sid Haig ), are attacking and killing travellers. But it all ends, when something is attacking them, unexpected. It ends with Buddy being brutally murdered. Purvis manage to escape, and survive. Sheriff Franklin Hunt, is relaxing, cooking some soup, when elderly " Back Up Deputy " Chicory ( Richard Jenkins ) visits the sheriff, to tell him about a stranger in the towns bar. Chicory tell Sheriff Franklin that he saw the stranger covered in blood, while he threw his bloody clothers away. Sheriff Franklin decides to visit the stranger, to see what business he have here. At the bar, Purvis does not want to answer Franklin´s questions, and tries to run away. Franklin shoot Purvis in his leg, and ask for help to throw him in jail. Franklin asks John Brooder ( Matthew Fox ) to contact Arthur O´Dwyer ( Patrick Wilson ), to get the bullet out of the leg. Since Arthur is injured, and can barely walk, his wife Samantha O´Dwyer ( Lill Simmons ) go along with Brooder, to fix the bullet wound. Sheriff Franklin leaves Samantha with Purvis, so she can finish her medical treatment, together with another deputy. That night, stablehand Buford ( Jeremy Tardy ) is brutally murdered, with his stomach wide open. The next morning, Sheriff Franklin is informed about the murder, and head towards the stable where the body was found. There are no witnesses, but that´s not the only problem. Everyone at the station is missing, including Samantha and Purvis. An arrow is found in the sheriffs wall, and speculations begin to spin around that an indian tribe have kidnapped everyone. Sheriff Franklin gather a team, to go out in the prairie, to find the missing people. 

I will try and not give too many details away, but i have to say that i feel a bit split about this film. From the beginning we get to know, that something evil is out there, things become a bit interesting. You dont really see what is out there, and that is a good sign. It kind of feels like a mixture of horror and a western film, at least for a moment. Then the film switches over to a more dramatic film, with a lot of dialogue, as they ride across the prairie, to locate the missing people, who apparently have been kidnapped. While the film becomes more dramatic, this is where the problems become more clear. Some scenes are way too long, as we get to see their journey, talking about different issues. The acting is great, so i can´t complain about the acting, it is just so many dialogue scenes, that keeps on going too long. I really enjoy the acting from both Kurt Russel and Patrick Wilson, and in the beginning of the film, legendary actor Sid Haig. He is only on scren for a few minutes , but i wish he would have been in more scenes. Nice to see actor Sean Young show up, most people might remember her from the 80´s thriller No Way Out, with Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman. Bone Tomahawk looks like a traditional western for the most part, until we meet the savages, or should we call them cannibals. This is where the film finally becomes more fun, with brutal scenes, and more physical acting. Kurt Russel in the lead role, is one of the reasons why i enjoy watching this film. He is one of the actors i have grown up with, and seen him in so many films over the years. One of his greatest performances is of course John Carpenter´s classic cult film Escape From New York. Who can forget him and Sylvester Stallone in the classic action 80´s film Tango & Cash ? One of the films that always reminds me of Kurt Russel, is without a doubt the sci fi action adventure Stargate. A film that still today works pretty well, because of the cool design of egyptian warriors. Bone Tomahawk is a pretty odd mixture of cannibal horror, and a western drama. I like the concept by director S. Craig Zahler, too bad he had to make some of the dialogue scenes so long. But when the raw tone of cannibalism comes into the picture, i personally feel that this is one of the reasons what makes this western a good choice. Not often we see this combination put together, and for that i have to say director S. Craig Zahler makes a good effort. The story itself is not very important, instead we focus on the brutality of the savages. Bone Tomahawk is way too long, and that is such a shame. Because this is still a good western film, with a different approach than most films in this genre. Don´t expect a lot of shooting though, there is more dialogue here than in any episode of Housewives Of New Jersey. Nice to see that western films are still around in 2015, even if this have not been in cinemas worldwide. Kurt Russel will actually be in the new western film by Quentin Tarantino called The Hatefull Eight, so we do have something to look forward to. Until then, give Bone Tomahawk a chance, especially if you love classic elements in this genre.

Rating: DDD