Wichita

This was such an amazing project to work on and I have never been more impressed with a finished product. If you like complex characters and ongoing plot twist, this is definitely the film for you. There are few westerns done in the film industry and it is a great relief to see one done right. Never before have I seen a full let alone a western deal with issues that are all together too real, and often needed to be addressed. If this film is showing in your town do yourself a favor and invite yourself to a treat of excellent story telling and cinematic beauty. Nicholas Barton and his crew and actors brought a much needed realism to this noir telling of early America. As the story unfolds you find it hard to find a person to root for, as everyone has a quality that you want to stand by. Don't miss this.

After being in trouble not spending enough time with my girlfriend I took her to this movie and it totally got me out of the doghouse. She loved it, I loved it.

As the movie got going I found myself creeping onto the edge of my seat as it hooked us in. The characters where great, especially the older motherly actress in the film. She was REALLY impressive. We were thinking about it long after we left the theater.

The props and the sets were incredible. It was like getting in a time machine and it had subtle humor in a fairly serious movie at great times. There are many bad movies coming out these days and this is not one of them. Run, don't walk to watch this movie.

Surprising twists. The ending alone is worth the price of admission. Despite it being fictional I felt like the plot and cinematography sure seemed like the 1880's might have felt. I want to watch it again. This type of film-making is a refreshing acknowledgment that people with passion, a good script, and talent both in front and behind the camera can put together an enjoyable movie experience. In the grand scheme of what counts as movie making, this filmmakers use of resources and location choices show us indie film lovers that scenes are always around us waiting to be released into art. Go see the film, or get it on DVD and open your mind to a growing genre - movies that artists make on their own terms.

So let me say that WICHITA is not a western for the casual genre fan raised on GUNSMOKE and BONANZA reruns. Nevertheless WICHITA delivers for film fans as well as Western Fans.

While many of the traditional elements of "the western" exist, WICHITA was obviously inspired more by the darker, somewhat cruel film-noirish category of film. The black hat-white hat, play along at home game doesn't exist. Each character has his own demons. The story unfolds violently and deliberately. Much like the work of Sam Peckinpah and, Budd Boetticher the film adopts an unpretentious style, taking a relaxed approach to the story unfolding and letting the actors and screenplay drive the film.

It's not perfect by any means, yet it show promise for the film maker and the cast. It's a film that inspires discussion afterwards and probably has more sociological elements explored than the average western. Enjoy and then be prepared to discuss.

First off, I am not a huge fan of the American cinema 'western'. It takes an extraordinary story to hold my interest. However, with several recent entries such as the HBO series 'Deadwood' I realized my perceptions were changing as new, bold filmmakers returned to themes etched in dirt, boots and blood.

'Wichita' really isn't so much about a growing town in the West as it is a collision point, a crossroads of circumstances that, once the cast is assembled, unfolds with a growing paranoia towards it's unexpected and violent conclusion.

A talented group of relative unknowns deepen the story with believable performances and filmed with such well composed shots that it's like gazing into a history book. The direction is sure-footed, calculated and intelligent.

So, I emerged not only amazed that a low budget feature could be of such high production quality and literary grit but also hopeful that this little gem gets a wide following.

I even might enjoy watching a few more westerns again.