Country: US
Technical: col/1.78:1 TV (3 seasons): 36x50m approx
Director: David Milch
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, W. Earl Brown, Brad Dourif, John Hawkes, Paula Malcomson, Robin Weigert, Jim Beaver, Jeffrey Jones, Powers Boothe, Kim Dickens, Titus Welliver, Gerald McRaney, Keith Carradine, Alice Krige, Brian Cox
Synopsis:
The 1870s: in the territory of South Dakota, before it became a state, sits the camptown of Deadwood. Its denizens are there either to scratch gold from the Rockies' foothills, or else service those who do so.
Review:
HBO's first great period drama series, following on from the success of The Sopranos, is also a tale of gangsterism, except this time the gangsterism of American capitalism and its birth throes. Our companions are storekeepers, former lawmen, drugdealers, gamblers, whoremongers and prospectors, and over them all hovers the grey eminence of George Hearst and his legendary acquisitiveness. Needless to say, human life is cheap and 'F', 'C' and 'N' words figure high on the 'cussometer', but amid all the abuse and murder there is compassion and gentleness fighting to take a hold. It is a character piece, and a supreme piece of ensemble playing at that, with McShane the master of ceremonies, the aptly named Swearengen. A film followed.
Country: US
Technical: col/1.78:1 TV (3 seasons): 36x50m approx
Director: David Milch
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, W. Earl Brown, Brad Dourif, John Hawkes, Paula Malcomson, Robin Weigert, Jim Beaver, Jeffrey Jones, Powers Boothe, Kim Dickens, Titus Welliver, Gerald McRaney, Keith Carradine, Alice Krige, Brian Cox
Synopsis:
The 1870s: in the territory of South Dakota, before it became a state, sits the camptown of Deadwood. Its denizens are there either to scratch gold from the Rockies' foothills, or else service those who do so.
Review:
HBO's first great period drama series, following on from the success of The Sopranos, is also a tale of gangsterism, except this time the gangsterism of American capitalism and its birth throes. Our companions are storekeepers, former lawmen, drugdealers, gamblers, whoremongers and prospectors, and over them all hovers the grey eminence of George Hearst and his legendary acquisitiveness. Needless to say, human life is cheap and 'F', 'C' and 'N' words figure high on the 'cussometer', but amid all the abuse and murder there is compassion and gentleness fighting to take a hold. It is a character piece, and a supreme piece of ensemble playing at that, with McShane the master of ceremonies, the aptly named Swearengen. A film followed.
