The movie opens with the claim "Based on actual events." To be completely honest, it should have read "Based VERY LOOSELY on actual events." Some reviewers claim this movie is realistic and historically accurate. It is neither, and anyone who thinks so has little understanding of Old West history. This movie is not only NOT an accurate depiction of the Old West, it's not even accurate to what occurred at the Hyde Park gunfight. What this movie IS, however, is a cracking good drama that can be enjoyed for exactly what it is -- entertainment, not history.
106 Reviews
It delivers.
claytonbrevilieri2 May 2020
MEH
jerebaratelli8 June 2022
I watched the movie basically because of Luke Arnold, he didn't disappoint me but the movie in general it did, I just didn't think it was going to be bad, the performances and the dialogues were very weak. One thing that I liked is the scene in how it begins and how it ends.
History turned into Hollywood cliche.
harms_matt18 December 2018
Having grown up in Newton, KS, and having personally researched the story of the gunfight at Hyde Park over the years, I looked forward to this movie's release. Although casting is good (especially for Mike McCluskie and James Riley), the true story has been greatly altered into a Hollywood western cliche. I can appreciate the relationship that the movie produces between McCluskie and Riley but much of the rest of the story-telling falls flat, even by Hollywood standards. I had hoped for both a more accurate historical account and a great telling of a fascinating story. I got neither.
Amateur Hour in the Wild West
lavatch17 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This was amateur filmmaking due to a convoluted time scheme of flashbacks. The story was based on the historical shootout in Newton, Kansas in 1871. But the screenplay takes us from 1873 in Medicine Lodge to a flashback in 1871 in Newton. Yet they were both set in the same saloon!
The film would have been improved by simply telling the story of what happened in the Newton shootout. The introduction of a brothel, a madam, and various love intrigues led to even more confusion.
In the historical Newton event, it was clear that the shootout was not instigated by "good guys" and "bad guys," but rather by a motley crew of rowdy, anarchic settlers. The film simply recycled standard Hollywood melodrama.
From start to finish, this was a poorly conceived film that appeared as though it was made on the fly.
Thumbs down!
The film would have been improved by simply telling the story of what happened in the Newton shootout. The introduction of a brothel, a madam, and various love intrigues led to even more confusion.
In the historical Newton event, it was clear that the shootout was not instigated by "good guys" and "bad guys," but rather by a motley crew of rowdy, anarchic settlers. The film simply recycled standard Hollywood melodrama.
From start to finish, this was a poorly conceived film that appeared as though it was made on the fly.
Thumbs down!
Walked out after 30 minutes...disappointing.
lowrider-739167 April 2019
I live in Newton. It might have been better if made as a dramatized documentary, identifying the historical characters involved in creating the big picture and leading to the climatic event, following up with the results of the battle and the impact to the area.
Positive...I'm a fan of C. Thomas Howell, but it wasn't enough to keep me in the seat.
Positive...I'm a fan of C. Thomas Howell, but it wasn't enough to keep me in the seat.
Could not get any more...
brentgray7313 July 2019
GREAT DRAMA
brightlom-3102520 December 2018
Worth the watch
johnhenrytheaterco22 December 2018
Overall, a great entertaining interpretation of a famous true story which was artistically captured. Although a bit slow to start, "Deadman Standing" was worth watching to the end. Some of the characters lacked an established introduction, and the story in parts, seemed to have plot holes, but were quickly fixed as the narrative moved along with such a talented cast. The emotional commitment that went into the acting was great and kept the story moving. Some set dressings could've corrected what appeared to be a more modern set in the house/ barn scenes, but the movie at its entirety kept true to the period with its sets and costumes. The cinematography was well put together. You never would guess the movie was done with a small budget, as the overall quality is highly put together.
This movie pulls all it's punches.
qlongshotq17 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Seriously, they actually pull all their punches. I have seen community theatre with better fight choreography. Some scenes they didn't even bother to try acting and simply pulled the camera away. Most of the acting was on par with a high school drama class. Which is a shame because I enjoyed Viva Bianca's performance in the Spartacus series. C. Thomas Howell had a less than stellar performance, also a let down. Furthermore, he is top billed on here, shown on the cover, and he has the least screen time of any of the cast. Many of the lines from this movie are borrowed from classic westerns("Smells like someone died.""I reckon so"). I don't know what movie the people who gave it a 10/10 watched. If you enjoy westerns, do not see this movie.
Really Fun Western
MyBearHands12 December 2018
Do not listen to the good reviews
karsonx29 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Go through and read he bad reviews not the good ones. Those giving this movie 10 stars are liars or uneducated. Do not watch this unless you want to experience a film I would consider worse than most student films.The only moment in the film worth seeing is the final fight. It is a somewhat fun scene.
fantastic
robertson-2642819 December 2018
Where's the Story?
mrpheel3 August 2020
At first, this movie looked like a bunch of outtakes from other westerns. Every cliched scene you can think of crammed into the first 50 minutes before we get clued into what's going on. So, it's between the cattlemen and the railroad men over who controls the town. So? And this was based on true events? Except for C. Thomas Howell, the actors are C-list and the story is basically a bug tussle over a dung ball. I suspect film school larva directed this, relying on the usual tropes to get us to the violent ending. There's a lot of pointless yakking going on in this movie, much of it like balloons coming out of the characters mouths in a comic. If you like lowbrow, this is your kind of movie.
1
fatimahbatool-0144328 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In the historical Newton event, it was clear that the shootout was not instigated by "good guys" and "bad guys," but rather by a motley crew of rowdy, anarchic settlers. The film simply recycled standard Hollywood melodrama.
Dead man acting
pompey23108 December 2021
A clichéd film with boring dialogue, and way too much inane chatter filling most of the film. A quick scroll through the 10 star 'reviews' revealed a lot of single reviews all from new accounts opened on the 9th and 10th of June. Read into that as you will....
Fantastic!
prendergastlogan14 December 2018
Great story
kyleboltmma15 December 2018
Deadman Standing
westcoasttraveler13 December 2018
Great independent movie
Dude12178211 December 2018
I loved it.
scottables14 December 2018
fabulous
rashwilington19 December 2018
Awesome Movie
westliam-9291020 December 2018
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