852 words, 5 minutes read time.
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 marks Kevin Costner’s ambitious return to the Western genre, a project he’s nurtured since the late 1980s. This film, the first in a planned four or five-part series, explores the a fictional town over time, showcasing Costner’s dedication to the genre he loves.
Set in 1859, the film begins in the San Pedro Valley, where a group of surveyors is marking boundaries for a new frontier town named Horizon. A missionary named Desmarais later discovers the surveyors have been killed by a Western Apache war band, buries their bodies, and establishes the town of Horizon. Four years later, Horizon is attacked by an Apache raid led by Pionsenay, resulting in several deaths, including Frances Kittredge’s husband and son. A local boy named Russell escapes to alert the nearby Army at Camp Gallant, led by First Lt. Trent Gephardt and Sgt. Major Riordan, who help with the burial of the dead and the recovery of survivors. Frances and her daughter Elizabeth seek refuge at Camp Gallant, while Russell joins a posse to pursue the Apache. The posse, driven by a desire for revenge and profit from scalping, is warned by Gephardt about the dangers of indiscriminate retaliation against Native Americans.
The film’s slow pacing and complex structure can make it challenging to follow, with many characters and story arcs only becoming clear towards the end. To address this, the narrative should instead have established clearer connections between characters and plotlines from the beginning, making it easier for viewers to follow the intertwined stories.
Visually, Horizon is stunning, capturing the grandeur of the American West with sweeping landscapes and meticulous period details. Costner’s experience in the genre shines through, reminiscent of his earlier successes like Dances with Wolves and Open Range. Yet, the film’s length and slow build-up may test the patience of some viewers. By balancing the elaborate visual storytelling with more evenly distributed character development throughout the film’s duration, the audience could have formed deeper connections with the characters, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Costner himself doesn’t appear until an hour into the film, playing Hayes Ellison, a multifaceted horse trader. This delayed entrance reflects the film’s overall pacing issues, with the first third feeling more like a prolonged introduction than a standalone story. Hayes Ellison is a classic lone-wolf cowboy, embodying the rugged, taciturn spirit of the Old West. A horse trader with a mysterious past, Hayes arrives in the remote frontier town of Horizon to trade horses. Characterized by his stoic demeanor and moral complexity, Hayes is a man of few words, preferring action over dialogue, which adds to his enigmatic presence. Costner’s portrayal of Hayes Ellison is reminiscent of iconic cowboys of classic Westerns, bringing authenticity and gravitas to the role.
Native Americans in Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 are portrayed with a mix of traditional and nuanced elements. The film opens with a Western Apache war band attacking the settlement of Horizon, which might initially seem like a stereotypical depiction of Native Americans as aggressors. However, as the story progresses, the film delves deeper into the lives and motivations of the Native characters. Pionsenay, played by Owen Crow Shoe, is a complex figure who initially leads the attack on Horizon but later breaks away from his tribe to form a new group dedicated to protecting their land from settlers. Costner’s approach reflects his desire to move beyond simplistic portrayals and offer a more nuanced view of Native American experiences. While the film includes some traditional Western tropes, it strives to provide a more detailed and respectful representation of Native American characters and their perspectives.
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 has received mixed reviews, with some praise but also significant criticism. The film’s slow pacing and excessive length at 181 minutes have been noted. The first third feels like a prolonged introduction, which can test viewers’ patience. The sprawling narrative with numerous characters and plotlines can be difficult to follow. Some viewers find it challenging to keep track of the various characters and their connections. Despite the film’s length, some critics feel the characters are not well-developed or endearing, with connections between characters only becoming clear toward the end. While the film aims to present a nuanced view of the American West, it relies on many well-worn Western tropes, leading to criticism that it does not subvert the genre as much as it could. Although visually stunning, some critics argue that the beautiful cinematography does not compensate for narrative shortcomings. The film’s elaborate homages to classic Westerns sometimes overshadow its own storytelling. Overall, while Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 has strengths, these criticisms highlight areas where it may fall short for some viewers.
Despite its flaws, Horizon sets the stage for future installments, promising more action and character development. Fans of Costner and the Western genre may find it worthwhile, but others might struggle with its length and complexity. To distinguish the film within the genre, there should have been more deliberate subversion of traditional Western tropes, offering fresh perspectives and challenging the conventions of the genre.
Reviewed by Pat Harrington
