Wichita

Went and saw this at the movies last night. Wasn't sure what to expect but I was pretty engrossed throughout the film. Not the typical cowboy movie but more of a gritty look at the old west. It's one of those movies that you have to pay attention to. There is a lot going on with this movie and it builds to a very surprising and climatic ending. Movie certainly deserves it's R rating as the violence in the movie can be brutal but so is this depiction of the old west. I gave it such a high rating because most westerns that are coming out these days just seem like you've seen them before. The look of this film and it's actors are really gritty. I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple actors make it big after this movie, especially the young girl who steals any scene she is in. Very impressive western.

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.

My husband & I saw this film in our hometown of Wellington, Ks. It was filmed & made by folks around our neck of the woods. We thought the story started off a bit confusing by introducing so many different characters without back stories but their stories unfolded well over the length of the film. In our opinions, it's a dark western with an original story line. Quite an impressive endeavor, for a few people with one camera. We were totally pleased with the end result & recommend this film to anyone, especially people who enjoy westerns set in the late 1800s. Impressive use of many local venues to make the audience feel like they'd stepped back in time.

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.

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.