‘1883’ and ‘The Power of the Dog’: True and False in the Old West

Sam Elliott, the veteran US western actor, recently created controversy when he publicly put the spurs into New Zealand director Jane Campion’s acclaimed film portrayal of a 1920s Montana cattle ranch, The Power of the Dog. Campion’s film was nominated in twelve categories at this year’s Academy Awards, the most of any film competing, but won only the Best Director award for Campion. Elliott said her depiction of shirtless cowboys in fluffy chaps reminded him of Chippendale dancers: “What the f*** does this woman from down there know about the American west? Why the f*** did she shoot this movie in New Zealand and call it Montana? And say this is the way it was?”

Further on, I’ll show how Campion rewrites Thomas Savage’s stunning 1967 novel, The Power of the Dog, introducing themes, and omitting others, to suit her own design. But first, back to Sam f****** Elliott! Elliott plays the role of wagon train boss Shea Brennan, in Taylor Sheridan’s latest western…