As a veteran, I can attest to how accurate the whole troop felt - the range of reactions to war, the care and protectiveness they show for each other were alp things I've seen and witnessed. Every character was almost a perfect representation of every "type" you come across in the military. Just another excellent facet to an excellent movie.
Thank you for your perspective and for your service. It felt very authentic to me but as a non-veteran, I couldn't say how accurate it was to real life
I was struck by the fact that they had difficulty relating to others outside of that shared experience, to the point where their former enemies were easier to connect with (to a point) than those from their own cultural background. But they absolutely nailed that relationship within the military, and I'm convinced that someone involved has served at some point.
… I feel the SAME way but one word that you missed ALTHOUGH I KNOW; YOU KNOW(!) … is how HONEST (TRUTHFUL) … this movie is which is VERY ENLIGHTENING - No Progress Without Suffering, I suppose holds … 'Oh so Very TRUE' … & ALWAYS will be this WAY, whether from our suffering … (and SOME enjoyment in watching this TRUTHFUL A.K.A. Masterpiece & seeing it for what it is/was TO BE Enlightened via TRUTH(s) is thee only way to truly gain WISDOM, especially emotionally and compassionately) … YET NEVER once holding back to be “politically correct” just PURE “HONEST-TRUTH” from the START (especially) to the end (just as 'especially') … One “side” had to win, although that is a TACKY word, it does not make it any less true, eh, however it shows even the side whom wins, loses in a way as in with their minds thus the side that loses, wins in another way as they do not suffer the long road of sorrow/regret/grief etc, etc, etc…. thus this is a win/lose or lose/win situation(s) - whom is to say(?) … it is just the universe working its magic I.M.O. & many Native Americans were MUCH more enlightened in this matter, they brought many of US this engrained within our cultural, essence, OURS to have - TOGETHER and that is beautiful in a way, if you ask me! - Also, YELLOW-FEATHERS actions verse his past actions shows we are indeed not just similar but the SAME however we ALL CULTURALLY become enlightened on different things @ different times as there are so many things to become enlightened on & within/in, nobody ever gets to them ALL or I would doubt so…. And more importantly - WE NEVER USUALLY GO in the SAME ORDER, hence we always can learn from each other 'AS' … (we MUST, it is Dire) … 'EVERY group has a Little' info and every group misses some - it is UP to US TO ENLIGHTEN each OTHER as a “SPECIES” and this will probably NEVER be without its major faults when LOOKING BACK as well as it is always going to be bittersweet at times to become enlightened, each GENERATION has "it's time" and NOBODY get to CHOOSE what LESSONS / VALUES they will INSTILL or have instilled UPON them hence having integrity and also being STOIC to a degree is NOT A BAD THING yet a NEEDED THING, again, I.M.O.! … I do not know MUCH, but I know that MLK was so RIGHT when he basically said his Gospel of; “To Fight Hate With Understanding & Love” DOES WORK & is probably the MOST EFFICIENT … (CORRECT WAY) … as in “BEST” way to handle these types of “things” … but nobody said it would be easy still… Nor FAST for that matter and of course NOR WITHOUT a bunch of Melon Collie! :( Hey, after BALE gets his REVENGE for Yellow Feathers “MURDER” as well as his kids right near the near very ending, did anyone notice or appreciate after he guts him with YELLOEWFEATHERS “Culturally iconic” weapon / 'TOOL' as in his KNiFE … as in his PREFERRED and culturally appropriate 'TOOL' of choice to serve some justice in the flesh and ALSO, DEF-symbolically, As Well … Anyway, lost myself again there but - ALSO - Notice that when BALE turns back around and the mountains & wheat fields are behind him as the movie goes sort of CINEMATICALLY and intentionally slow'MO … in PERFECT FASHION … to really capture the essence … of a whole developing AMERiCAN-Culture - a good culture I.M.O…..... .... (of course, not without its issues as ALL cultures have but one of integrity - OVERALL that embraces stoicism to a DEGREE which I also consider a GOOD thing as if you FEEL you're the victim, then YOU ARE, WELP, The Victim, thus do not BE, HENCE STOICISM - BE STOIC) … ... ... ... you catch a GREAT Glimpse of the MARLBORO-MAN, Am I the only ONE WHO SEEN THIS, maybe it was unintentional, but I think it was crafted beautifully and intentionally! …. Anybody else SEE what I have seen, I know you will SEE IT now I am mentioning it but HAS anybody else realized this, PRIOR too reading this, FROM MYSELF HERE?..... I thought that was so 'SPECTACULAR" ….
This film deserved just about every Oscar there is, yet was nominated for none. I mean for a start it's got to be one of Bale's finest performances, if not his best. If this isn't an Oscar-winning performance then I just don't know what is. And Wes Studi...just an incredible actor. Amazing film 👏🏻
‘Scream at the Sky’ still sends shivers down my spine to this day. Cannot believe this movie went way under the radar. Also what a fantastic review of the film. Very articulate and beautiful.
I watched this film 5 times and it is indeed a powerful masterpiece! Scott Cooper created a true gem with an outstanding cast and believable performances of the highest caliber. His place as a great director is secured.
Yes and yes again to Christian Bale being one of the best actors alive. This, and "Vice", illuminated that - the range of what he can do. He acts as if the camera is not on him. That compliment cannot be paid to very many.
… His Facial expressions are so ON point like his frustration & sadness as well as hopeless facial expressions when he was showing the crazy guys that thought it to be “their land” the letter from the president - obviously KNOWING it would not WORK and also showing just in his FACE alone how he saw them in a smaller way, but a very real way mirror his prior ignorant self as well …. BALE is just amazing FOR this scene alone with the facial expressions alone as well as tones of th voice, ICONIC! …. PERFECTION! ..... BTW: …. Anybody else see near the very end-of the-movie - right after Christian Bale takes that garbage of a human-being OUT for par-taking in the slaughter of yellow feathers family member(s) & of YF himself …. anyways, as he turns around after gutting that “pilgrim” .... with yellow feathers knife, the camera goes beautifully slow'MO to show BALE - looking forward so stoic-like with nothing but the American mountains & 'FREE' LAND of Wheat Fields behind him, did anybody else SEE thee: “MARLBORO MAN” … in BALE's character at that point in the movie where it went slow'Mo(?) …. It was DEFFiE sort of prophetic from the movie's standpoint (time-line) … AND executed PERFECTLY, hoping also this was = intentionally DONE … (Showing the Marlboro Man, go back and LOOK & most will Prob SEE what I'm SAYING without QUESTION but did you SEE it prior?) … to grasp our future American “essence”, I did.... and.... do…. And I hope…. Too ALWAYS, at least “think” it was done intentionally by the movie's writer(s) whom Must have been … (or rather “is”) … Brilliant, however just curious if anyone else SAW this (The Marlboro Man in BALES Character after the revenge when it turns to Slo'mo) … as well PRIOR ... to reading my reply here? ….
That was a very gripping film review. I also particularly loved the 5-minute ending and have shared it many times. Like how the music switches from a minor to a major key just as he makes his move.
I had never heard of this movie until 2 days ago. I had to watch it 3 times in a row to make sure I didn't miss anything. I was stunned at how good this movie is.
This review was a masterpiece. I hope one day Scott Cooper or any of the cast watches this poignant tribute. I love this film, but it emotionally takes its toll. You can't watch this and not be filled with sorrow. It never relents. Thank you for giving this film it's just due.
I too absolutely loved that film but then I saw a mini-series on BBC called The English. It is set in the 19th century just after the end of the Indian wars. It absolutely brought home the story of the United States and how it had to turn out the way it did. It is the story of violence, savagery, and cruelty not just by the newcomers but also of inter-tribal wars and the harsh landscape. How the country changed people into hard stoic killers that became the character of Americans that D.H. Lawrance portrayed. It is a beautifully shot film of a journey through a mystery, worthy of the magical native cultures that only reveals itself in the last episode. I would recommend it to anyone who liked Hostiles.
@@susanaleonard5953 I think the title "THE ENLGISH" is far more appropriate and layered one. So, I will keep dropping "the". As far as I am concerned who ever who named it "English" didn't grasp the subtleties of the language and that includes the locals, unless you have a good counter argument and are not just parrot pedantic.
This is an astounding movie. I have a love hate relationship with it. I love its beautiful haunting portraits, but I hate the ugly world it represents. It is equally mesmerizing and discomforting, a reminder of this wonder and curse called humanity.
Like the presenter i read a book about Indians. It was a couple of years after I'd come home from Vietnam. The book was a history of the Sioux Nation & Crazy Horse. It touched something inside me that I'd been unable to deal with from my time in Vietnam. I've had a deep respect & sorrow for the period of the western expansion of America & the destruction of the Native American way of life. Hostiles is a movie that touches that place in me. Where anger & sorrow & hope all live.
You expressed better than I could possibly do what I felt watching this movie. I watched it two times and I still want to watch it again. In my opinion this is an Oscar winning movie, and an Oscar winning for the best actor, best actress, best actor in a supporting role, and not the least for the music score.
Great movie! But I wanted to specifically state to the narrator: what an awesome narrative and commentary….philosophical, even poetic….one of the best commentaries I’ve ever heard. It does great justice to this film and to you sir , bravo!
Just stumbled on this video and an amazing review. A lot of what you said about this film is also how I felt when I watched it myself. What fascinates me the most as you said is the immense trauma and brokenness felt by all the characters. As the viewer you don’t just see their burdens but you can feel the heaviness yourself. Dealing with a lot of trauma throughout my life I was able to really connect to the characters and that Yellowhawk rain scene always breaks me down in tears. The way it evokes empathy and forgiveness.. Words can’t describe the impact this film had on me. You have a new subscriber 👍
I loved this movie, as a grown man and 20 yr veteran of Wars, i’m not embarrassed to say I couldnt help but tear up at the end. Such an emotional, powerful and under rated film!
I agree with you! This movie is so underrated and has been overlooked at the academy awards which is a shame!! The story the actors and the music were so terrific! It is a very honest western. This movie is not at all boring like some people say! As you said there are not many movies like this anymore. Thank you very much for doing such a good job analysing this movie.
Fantastic essay/analysis man. Although the film does have it's small share of flaws in my opinion it absolutely nails what it sets out to do and I recommend it to anyone I can.
I agree. There's no such thing as a perfect movie but when a film's positives so drastically outweigh the negatives, the negatives end to meaning nothing to me
Every since I saw this film, I’ve been waiting on some sort of validation that someone else understood it and felt the same feelings as it made me feel , and you, finally, did that perfectly. I think of this film almost daily, the way it somehow settles internal conflicts deep within me is still beyond my understanding. This video lays out every feeling perfectly and being able to see it put together like this is so satisfying. The American spirit is a powerful force that few but us will understand.
I'm not American, don't even particularly like westerns, but you're absolutely right about this film, genuinely such an underrated masterpiece. Its pure melancholy and suffering, yet also explores meaning in tragedy. I think the quote at the start is very fitting (D.H Lawrence is an alumni of my university.) I'm in love with this indescribable American spirit, it also reminds me greatly of my favourite US poets; Whitman, Longfellow and Emerson. I feel Montana calling me 😂
This was a excellent analysis and helpful to better understand this sad chapter of our past without placing blame or pointing fingers - the blend of beauty and horror was magnificent
I haven't seen Hostiles yet, but I will this week. I kept hearing good things about it, but this video really escalated my interest in this movie. This was a really well done review.
You were eloquent in telling these hard truths of the historical past of the West in this time period so well depicted, my gut tells me that it full of truths.....
My favourite western! By far. The scenery, the performances, the silences, there’s so much in this film that makes it so great. I think I’ve seen it 3 times already. Great review by the way, keep going!🙂
As a history student, I really like how the movie portrayed both sides as grey and not in a typcial black and white fashion. I know Bale from 3:10 to Yuma, which made me watch more Western movies. Luce Rains play Marshal Weathers in Yuma but also appears as "Virgil Lounde" which is the guy that is crawling away and then getting killed by Bale in the end of the movie
Amen. Any student of history or just an observer of human behavior knows that nothing is black and white. Thanks for sharing this fact! I didn't recognize him
Well done!…A truly pivotal movie…required reading. Thank you! A truly remarkable review that explores, explodes and qualifies so many dimensions of this epic narrative🙏
I really love your take on this movie!, this ks one of my favorites as well and the scene where he says; i cant feel anything is imo the best scene in the movie. Such pain and suffering in his words. Nice video!
…. HEY, Anybody else see near the very end-of the-movie - right after Christian Bale takes that garbage of a human-being OUT for par-taking in the slaughter of yellow feathers family member(s) & of YF himself …. anyways, as he turns around after gutting that “pilgrim” .... with yellow feathers knife, the camera goes beautifully slow'MO to show BALE - looking forward so stoic-like with nothing but the American mountains & 'FREE' LAND of Wheat Fields behind him, did anybody else SEE thee: “MARLBORO MAN” … in BALE's character at that point in the movie where it went slow'Mo(?) …. It was DEFFiE sort of prophetic from the movie's standpoint (time-line) … AND executed PERFECTLY, hoping also this was = intentionally DONE … (Showing the Marlboro Man, go back and LOOK & most will Prob SEE what I'm SAYING without QUESTION but did you SEE it prior?) … to grasp our future American “essence”, I did.... and.... do…. And I hope…. Too ALWAYS, at least “think” it was done intentionally by the movie's writer(s) whom Must have been … (or rather “is”) … Brilliant, however just curious if anyone else SAW this (The Marlboro Man in BALES Character after the revenge when it turns to Slo'mo) … as well PRIOR ... to reading my reply here? ….
I love where I'm from so much I've learned not only to keep it to myself but to guard it with quiet desperation. Out of respect of and admiration for this production of yours, which I've just watched with thorough focus and relieved wariness, I must point out one erroneous aspect of your beautifully constructed and read aloud script. But before I do that I must briefly extol upon your marvelous break down of a profound movie made in my backyard. Like the movie, your break down entertains with efficient poetic writing, wonderful presentation, intelligent construction offering historical context and education on the film, the subject matter of the film, and its filmography, even an entire refrain devoted to the score alone. Masterfully done. I will watch this many times and so will my kids. A wonderful contribution, please keep it up... only next time pay closer attention to where the film was actually made. You mention some places like Montana, Yellowstone, and Zion, but despite your otherwise very thorough examination none of these places were actually in the film. Your obvious love of the land depicted in the film leaves me surprised that you managed not to mention where a great majority of it was actually filmed (small portions of three different neighboring states that don't include Montana, Utah, or Wyoming), but again, as a proud neighbor to many spots captured in this film like the Vista de Pedernal and Plaza Blanca, I much prefer in my older age to keep it to myself and those brave enough to live out here with me. When I cruise up to Pagosa next week I'll be hoping the spring break vacationers are gone and I can enjoy the San Juans a little more peacefully. I only mention this out of respect and admiration for this production of yours. Again, Bravo!
Dude you have dissected this movie beautifully!!! I’m into boring myself and i feel alone bc most people want action and sex and i tell them give me good dialogue or soundtrack or sound itself. God bless you
I’m really happy to have found and taken in your review. It is a gritty and descriptive explanation of the film. By virtue of the cast alone, I’m very surprised that this film wasn’t better-received and critically acclaimed. It does seem that the superficiality of so many critics has become a kind of virus in itself. Of the three reviews I read, two thought the movie was morose and/or fatally dark. Yours, alone, reckoned with the psychology and brutality of lives clashing together and the confrontations that have been commonplace down through the ages. Very well done!
Probably one of the best neo western ever and IMHO, Christian Bale’s finest performance yet. It’s a beautiful and dark western with a dash of existentialism.
my dad is a huge fan of classic Westerns and we watched together this film which was such of emotional experience for us...by the way, I just discovered your channel and your review is so touching, greetings from Chile South America.
When this movie was advertised. I wanted to see it very much. It was a movie like no other. As a former Marine. I know war is ugly even worse. All my buddies were wounded in the head if not both of the body too. I know evil is of man. And no one is spared if evil and war falls upon us humans. I knew Vietnamese soldiers. Their families. I know Americans and theirs who felt war. Nobody escapes no one is a hero. This analysis of this movie is striking in that it tells the reality. I had Marines commit suicide. Drank themselves to death. And we all felt the hammer strikes. Excellent how this video gave such a profound explanation of this most excellent movie. Well done well told well explained.
Brother this was so well done! Honestly beautifully done! You were able to put into words my emotions during this movie! Can you do a video on THE REVENANT and GLADIATOR?
Watched this movie this weekend, I was a big listener of the soundtrack, during my work hours. Even though, knew the soundtrack well, it gave me chills. Since the Green Mile, I didn't tear my eyes at a movie. Touching and beautifully shooted movie, nature being witness, as always, to human stupidity. But my two cents on its core message is that hate can NOT be justified, however, can be explained and sometimes healed.
Dude, you’re killin it! Wonderful idea for a channel and an incredible personality. Eloquent and wildly descriptive. Eye opening. I never even thought of the tremendous music score. The acting alone was destractingly mesmerizing, by the entire cast. But particularly bale and rosolee and yes the silent gravitas was heavily impactful from studi obvi but yeah I could go on and on but yes I’m adding that score to the playlist for sure! However I’m not sure what activity to listen to this music too. Not sure if it’s work out music.?.? More so an activityless listen as it demands the full attention devoted as it rewards one with even more pleasure and appreciation. SUBSCRIBED 🤙🏼
I find the music is best suited for a lonesome hike in the woods, a walk at dusk, or a long drive across the High Plains. Or if you're just lookin' for a good cry one night. Thanks for the comment and your kind words. I really appreciate it
This is probably my 4th time watching your video. I am from Utah myself and grew up with the history of the Manifest Destiny days. This movie no matter what is always my first recommendation to everyone. Such a masterpiece. I would love to see your evaluation of the movie Wind River.
The first time I watched this movie was about a year after a buddy of mine, that I served with, took his own life. The scene where they found Sgt. Metz is the only time a movie has made me break down in tears.
Respekt too " The Positive Picture Show" I had the same view and the emocional touch as I wachted the first time, now i´ts the 5 time I`m looking this masterstone of the American History witch it makes me too belive in truth and the difrend difficult ways. i am a western fan, but for me is this movie not just a Westernmovie , i`ts a hope for the Future too make more of this kinde of Movies.
Great summary of a truly great film, bury my heart at wounded knee,by Dee Brown is the only book i have read twice back to back. I have traveled the west from ft Davis TX to Montana, visiting many places along the way including pine ridge, badlands, sitting bull monument, to name a few, thankyou for this video. I too think Christian Bale is the greatest actor of our time. I have watched the careers of rosamund pike, and ben foster, all great actors 👌. This is more than a Film more like a historical document. Ps. That last scene where he turns around and steps on to the train is wonderful.
This beautiful piece of art along with the movie Cold War (2018) has involved me in their way. Whenever I want to separate from everyone and refer to myself and my thoughts, I look at these two masterpieces. Their inner message that portrays human historical pain and suffering against love and kindness makes me think.
Life is precious life is to be fought for till the very last breath it’s the first and last gift we shall ever have and it is fleeting we are here but a short time
Never stumbled across your channel before, but hey ... someone on the Intertubes who just wants to honestly talk about just the things he/she/they love? Automatic thumbs up! [edit] Had to stop ... haven't watched the film yet, so ... I SHALL return and finish your vid once I have.
The fact that movies like this are no longer valued as they used to be, speaks to what we also have lost, forgetting in some way the steps along the journey to how America gained it's current consciousness. Terrence McKenna said that if the brain is the hardware, then culture is the operating system software of humanity. And just like you can run anything from Apple or Windows to absolutely stripped down operating systems that only are built/written to streamlined to do one thing all on the exact same hardware, cpu, etc. The gamit of culture is as impossible vast as the universe is, and perhaps even greater, and not only does this tale speak to how America gained it's soul/culture, but how it lost it's original one in doing so. It's a tragic tale, told like it's a great victory., but like all war, no matter who is the victor, both sides lose. It's sad that humanity has something deep in us that chooses rather to mix cultures, for almost all human history, culture was a winner take all game, and yet like the coloniziation of the American West, there is still a merging happening of those cultures... what is left of the one, and the new one that America has become after not only this conflict, but all her conflicts, and now as war is becoming less genocidal than it had in the past. Culture is mixing more and more, pride in one's ancestory is becoming more in style now, and respected, where before especially at times of deep war, it seems bigotry and racism divided cultures with much more violence, and hate. Even as recently as that last conflicts, and now American's seeing near genocide being commiteted again, regardless if what side you come down, seeing defenseless kids and mothers, and fathers, killed on mass often for nothing more then hate. Shows we are not at all far from the people we were during this time in America. That side of humanity I find sometimes hard to believe comes so easily to some... I can understand those who have lost, but many it seems all it takes is just being able to have power over another culture is enough for them to want to exterminate those families, people. I don't understand that side of humanity. I don't see how we can be on one hand a highly social species that even can love animals as much as another human, and yet there are people for whom hate comes so easily, life taken so carelessly. I don't understand it. I just hope we can end it soon, without losing any more of the cultures we have already lost, and the parts of those cultures that are barely hanging, and those that are at this moment down to only a handful of remaining people. When i look into a whale's eyes, I see an animal that is as magestic as the entire universe, an animal so vast that I can't begin to understand the depths of it's feelings for one another, and the time scale they exist in. And i think about how humanity is in the process of guaranteeing most of those great creatures, creatures like the blue whale that nature took 4 billion years to produce. A time scale so fvast, that we cant' even comprehend it. and yet once say all the creatures of that species are gone, they are gone forever, a treature richer then any gold, any building, any piece of art, to me something so valuiable we can't even comprehend the loss of it's passing. And right now we are are in a mass extinction event caused by our actions that makes all other great extinction events in earths past pale in comparison. Yet we would rather talk about what celebrity is using a vacuum cleaner on her lips, or who is dating who, and movies like this, that have something actual true and real to say, somethign deep enough to last past the next month, which most fads seem to last now. Used to be years what was in 'fashion' lasted, now it's over almost before it started..... and it's all so empty... I attended the VFX preaward screenings for the academy award for best vfx, and there was a red light that the award show organizers had put up, to prevent any single presenting, since they had to get through all the movies screening the best of their effects in one evening, so they tried to use this light to indicate to the director, or vfx sup, whoever was standing up and talking before the reel would roll. And when it came time for James Cameron's Titanic to come up, the first thing he did was turn around, and unscrew that red light bulb, and said... "I learned a long time ago, if you have something important to say, it takes time to say it properly"... I might have not quoted him exactly but that was pretty much exactly the sentiment he meant. I remember that, and I think this movie is the epitome of that idea. When you have something truly deep to say, sometimes it takes the time it takes, and if you try to rush it, or speed it up, or make it 'flashy', you lose the true depth of the sentiment. Movies like this thankfully are still being made because despite them not making huge box office, the people who are capable of making huge blockbusters, many of them still value a film like this. and hopefully that will continue to be enough that these films, even if not laidened with awards, will still be made.... cause if anything we need more of them, rather then less, and we need to stop letting people label a movie as 'boring' because they themselves are too shallow to understand where it's value lies...
Thanks for your comments, first You speak slowly and clearly so a no native prson like me can understand your poetic staments about the movie which I haven't watched yet but I have seen their comments and I found your description very accurate.
