Kevin Costner is set to release the second installment of his ambitious project, Horizon: An American Saga, this year. With aspirations to create a Western epic akin to the classics featuring John Wayne, Costner is navigating the complexities of cinematic storytelling. The first chapter of his saga, while offering captivating moments, met with lukewarm reviews and financial setbacks, underscoring the challenges of replicating the success of monumental films directed by legends like John Ford. Notably, Costner has cited Ford’s 1962 Western, How the West Was Won, as a crucial influence on his own storytelling style.
Ford’s celebrated work brought together a stellar ensemble cast to navigate the expansive narrative of America’s westward expansion, divided into five distinct chapters and spanning 164 minutes. This film saw the collaboration of three directors – Ford, Henry Hathaway, and George Marshall – and featured iconic performances from renowned actors. Much like Ford’s film, Costner has structured his saga into four separate movies, inviting a diverse group of A-list talent to join his storytelling endeavor.
The Influence of How The West Was Won on Kevin Costner
The Early Impact of the Movie on Costner
During the 2021 Western Heritage Awards, Costner shared a heartfelt tribute to How the West Was Won, revealing how profoundly the film shaped his childhood view of cinema. “It was like God spoke to me and the scales came off my eyes,”he recounted, noting how he was captivated from beginning to end, even during intermissions. This initial fascination spurred his evolution into a leading filmmaker within the Western genre, with his acclaimed projects such as Dances with Wolves and the highly popular series Yellowstone.
Costner’s productions often echo the slow, deliberate storytelling and grand visual narratives reminiscent of Ford’s classic works. In his acceptance speech, he humorously acknowledged that his films may have lengthy runtimes, playfully attributing this to the influence of How the West Was Won. This comment underscores the film’s significant impact on his creative approach and overall career trajectory.
How The West Was Won: An Iconic Western Epic
The Film and Its Legacy
The 1962 epic masterpiece poses a formidable storytelling challenge, artfully weaving through pivotal moments in American history over its duration. How the West Was Won chronicles the journey of one family’s experience amidst the backdrop of the United States’ expansion, the Civil War, and culminates in a thrilling outlaw confrontation. The film centers on a New York family and balances the performances of approximately two dozen Hollywood legends, including John Wayne, James Stewart, and Debbie Reynolds.
The cinematography is visually striking, showcasing vibrant sets and period-authentic costumes while effectively capturing the essence of the American frontier spirit, ensuring that no scene lingers beyond its welcome.
Horizon: An American Saga: A Tribute to Film Classics
Structural Parallels with How the West Was Won
The structural framework of Horizon: An American Saga is heavily influenced by How the West Was Won, as evident in the thematic depth as both stories explore the relationship between the American Civil War and westward migration. Set in the mid-19th century, Costner’s narrative unfolds through interconnected chapters mirroring Ford’s format.
Notably, the first chapter of Costner’s saga draws directly from a storyline in How the West Was Won, paralleling the actions of Richard Widmark’s character with those of Sam Worthington’s character in Horizon. This intertextuality highlights how deeply Costner respects and channels the spirit of earlier American Westerns.
The Challenge of Recreating a Classic
Evaluating Costner’s Attempt to Emulate a Western Icon
Despite the grandeur of Costner’s vision, the reception of Horizon has been mixed, making it difficult for any film to truly capture the monumental essence of a classic like How the West Was Won. Critics have expressed divided opinions, with many feeling that the initial installment lacks a cohesive insight into the era it portrays.
In reflecting on the series so far, critic Alex Harrison noted, “So far, six hours in, I’ve found no great insight into this period of American life, in either the personal or historical spheres.”However, there remains hope that Costner will be able to tie together the narrative threads established in the first chapter as the series progresses.
While Horizon: An American Saga may not reach the heights of How the West Was Won, its ambition and potential for storytelling should not be diminished. Costner, as he continues his journey through the Western genre, stands poised to create compelling narratives that honor the legacy of Western cinema.
Source: The Oklahoman