accurate detail in Meek's Cutoff

[George]

I watched Meek's Cutoff again last night and was once more impressed by the accuracy of the portrayal of the guns. In one sequence showing the loading of a flintlock rifle, it is perfect, down to the spit patch. Too bad more directors don't pay such attention to details like that in their historic movies.

Spence

 

[pab1]

Just watched it for the first time and really enjoyed it. I agree, she looked very practiced loading the gun too. Firing the second shot before having it shouldered made it seem more believable with the fear and stress she was feeling.

Other than Bill Williams I haven't read much about the experiences of mountain men as guides. His guiding Fremont didn't go well since Fremont wouldn't listen to him. Having the people you're guiding second guessing you and overriding your decisions would get old fast. Is there documentation of this happening often?

 

[George]

That period is later than my area of interest, I can't offer any info about other guides. This movie is loosely based on a real incident, but the actual event was on a much larger scale, more like a thousand people, I believe. Wikipedia has a good summary. Stephen Meeks was a real person, brother of the more famous mountain man Joe Meeks.

In one shot of Meeks and his rifle you can see his pan brush and vent pick tied to the trigger guard bow of his rifle. Don't know who the "guns consultant" was on that movie, but he apparently knew his stuff.

Spence

 

[qtrhrs7]

Hi Spence, Never heard of that movie. Can it be found on Netfix?

 

[George]

Yes, it's on Netflix streaming.

Spence

 

[pab1]

In one shot of Meeks and his rifle you can see his pan brush and vent pick tied to the trigger guard bow of his rifle. Don't know who the "guns consultant" was on that movie, but he apparently knew his stuff.

Spence

I noticed that. On the small screen I couldn't tell if it was the pick/brush or a frizzen stall. :thumbsup:

The movie kept reminding me of the first Francis Tucket books. I read them to my son several years ago and we both enjoyed them.

 

[Black Jack]

Yes, it's on Netflix streaming.
Spence

Also available on Netflix DVDs.

 

[sidelock]

I saw this movie 5 years ago. It was so "memorable" I had forgotten I had seen it. If you would like to hear a very short history of the opening of the west, listen to Dan Fogelbergs song 'Sutter's Mill'.

 

[Gene L]

Saw it last night. I thought it was boring. Two shots fired, authentic, I guess. I know it was well received, but I didn't get it. Read the history on Meek afterward. He reminded me of Trump.

 

[pab1]

Saw it last night. I thought it was boring. Two shots fired, authentic, I guess. I know it was well received, but I didn't get it.

Not action packed but that's part of what made it good. I thought they did a good job of portraying the everyday tension and stress they encountered. Everything from possible attack, sickness, trying to find water to wagons breaking down. I'm glad they didn't go "Hollywood" with it. :thumbsup:

Read the history on Meek afterward. He reminded me of Trump.

Don't see the comparison with either of them but I think you're talking about Joe, not Stephen.

 

[Gene L]

The sound was frequently indistinct and the scenes inadequately lighted. It was five minutes or more into the movie before any speech could be heard at all...I had my subtitles on.

All that effect is true to the times, and the movie did a good job of creating those times and it built up tension, but that tension was unresolved. The actual event would have been resolved in one way or another. Not necessarily heroically, but resolved in any case.

 

[pab1]

The sound was frequently indistinct and the scenes inadequately lighted. It was five minutes or more into the movie before any speech could be heard at all...I had my subtitles on.

All that effect is true to the times, and the movie did a good job of creating those times and it built up tension, but that tension was unresolved. The actual event would have been resolved in one way or another. Not necessarily heroically, but resolved in any case.

Everything you described is part of what made it good IMO. To each his own. For "resolved tension" there's always the movie adaptation of the The Revenant. :barf: :wink:

 

[Gene L]

I thought The Revenant was boring as well. In addition to being phony. I wrote so on this forum.

As a sometimes writer of fiction (ex-writer) I feel all conflicts must be resolved by the ending. But that's just me.

 

[BillinOregon]

The film has its detractors as well as its champions. Mostly shot here in Oregon.

 

[omarick1948]

Thaaaaat's en-ter-taaaainment!...... :rotf:

 

[Henry2357]

Watched it last night. It seemed to be very well done to actual time period. But, I waited for 3/4th of the movie to see if they found water. Did I miss something, or am I just not appreciating the meaning, if there was one, of the movie. :idunno: I just wanted to see a babbling brook in the end.