The Claim (2001)

Synopsis: In transporting Thomas Hardy's THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE to the American West, English director Michael Winterbottom has fashioned an audacious, epic anti-Western that is a haunting achievement.... In transporting Thomas Hardy's THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE to the American West, English director Michael Winterbottom has fashioned an audacious, epic anti-Western that is a haunting achievement. Set in 1849, the story concerns Mr. Dillon (Peter Mullan), the ruler of Kingdom Come, a snow-covered mining town in Northern California. The story opens with the arrival of Dalglish (Wes Bentley), a handsome surveyor for the Pacific Coast Railroad, who is searching for the most sensible way to turn the dream of a transcontinental railroad into a reality. Also drifting into town are the seriously ill Elena (Nastassja Kinski) and her daughter, Hope (Sarah Polley), who have ambiguous ties to Dillon. Immediately, Hope and Dalglish become acquainted, but their potential romance is threatened by the presence of Lucia (Milla Jovavich), a Portuguese madam who lives with Dillon. As Dalglish reaches a decision regarding the railroad, Dillon must painfully confront mistakes he's made in the past, triggering a series of tragic occurrences. Winterbottom's lush, expansive film miraculously manages to retain the somber spirit of Hardy's classically English tale. Employing the techniques that made Robert Altman's MCCABE & MRS. MILLER such a breathtaking spectacle--including Alwin Kuchler's dazzling cinematography and Michael Nyman's mesmerizing score--Winterbottom proves once again that he is an accomplished filmmaker who isn't afraid to tackle any genre. [More]

Starring: Peter Mullan, Sarah Polley, Milla Jovovich, Wes Bentley

Starring: Peter Mullan, Sarah Polley, Milla Jovovich, Wes Bentley, Nastassja Kinski, Sean McGinley, Julian Richings, Duncan Fraser, Barry Ward, Karolina Muller, Marie Brassard, Shirley Henderson, Kate Hennig, Fernando Davalos, Doctor Benoit, Ron Anderson, Marty Antonini, Lydia Lau, Royal Sproule, Tim Koetting, Billy Morton, Randy Birch, Tom McCamus, Gil Rivera Blas, Frank Zotter, Artur Ciastkowski, David Lereaney, Valerie Planche, Grant Linneberg, Christopher Hunt, Jimmy Herman

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Director: Michael Winterbottom
Screenwriter: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Producer: Andrew Eaton
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

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