Timothy Olyphant in “Deadwood: The Movie” 2019. IMDb photo
It’s back, in a splendid colorful movie, first viewed in 2019.
MOVIE INFO
“DEADWOOD: THE MOVIE”
Drama, Western
As the residents of Deadwood gather to commemorate Dakota’s statehood in 1889, saloon owner Al Swearengen and Marshal Seth Bullock clash with Senator George Hearst.
Length: 110 minutes
Rating: Severe pervasive profanity and sexual references, moderate violence, gore, alcohol, drugs and smoking, and mild sex, nudity, frightening and intense scenes.
Director: Daniel Minahan
Writers: David Milch, Bryan Law (supervising writer)
Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker
“Deadwood: The Movie” is a 2019 American Western television film directed by Daniel Minahan and written by David Milch for HBO.
It is a continuation of the television series of the same name, which was created by Milch and ran for three seasons from 2004 to 2006. Fans of the old series seem happy to welcome back once again the old gang.
Sheriff Bullock (Timothy Olyphant “Justified”) is still a lawman, but now a more prosperous citizen in the muddy streets of Deadwood.
Back again are Molly, (Alma Ellsworth); Trixie, (Paula Malcomson); and Dayton (Charlie Utter.)
Fans cheer the return of the scene-stealing saloon and master pimp Al Swearengen, (England’s Ian McShane.)
And we can’t hide our love for Robin Weigert’s incredible Calamity Jane.
Weigert came to the role that has been played for secret laughs by Doris Day, Ellen Barkin, Angelica Huston, Jane Russell and Yvonne de Carlo.
Jane, as we all know by now, was a bisexual, unkempt master profaner, who loved “Wild Bill” Hickok and high class saloon whore Trixie who is now living with Sol (John Hawkes) and expecting at any time to bring forth an heir.
Mr. Wu, (Keone Young) owner of the pig farm and Chinese restaurant, and confident of Al Swearengen, has an educated grandson who works as an interpreter, go between the new huge Chinese population and rowdy whites.
The situation here in the new Deadwood, state of South Dakota, is, of course, the political and land-grabbing George Hearst, (Gerald McRaney).
A check of the true history of Deadwood and its characters show that writer Milch took great liberties with the true denizens of Deadwood, to enhance the color and drama of that historic town.
But we’re all grateful for the finished product.
“Deadwood: The Movie” streams on HBO Max, Spectrum TV or Vudu on your Roku device.
J.P. Devine of Waterville is a former stage and screen actor.
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