The Deadwood series is an atypical American television movie, a realistic western based on the storytelling and legends associated with the founding of the eponymous town in South Dakota in the Black Hills during the gold rush.
Reference
The premiere of the pilot series was held at the end of March 2004 on HBO. Its director could be David Fincher, but the world’s director of light left the project before the filming process began. A total of 36 episodes were shot, the rating of the television movie in the interpretation of IMDb is 8.70. The series “Deadwood” received very good reviews from film critics and viewers, its rating is considered one of the highest in the history of HBO. Telefilm, its cast and crew were awarded eight Emmy and Golden Globe awards. The project can rightly be considered the author’s project of David Milch, who acted as the author of the idea, a leading screenwriter and executive producer. Billwood Carter's review of the Deadwood series for the New York Times was written in accusatory fashion. The contributor was embarrassed by the abundance of profanity (over the course of three seasons the heroes uttered the word fuck almost three thousand times), too frank, realistic scenes of sex and violence, and hyperrealism of the image as a whole.
History of creation
Many reviews of the Deadwood series contain a background to its creation, according to reviewers, it is important for the general idea of the television product.
David Milch is a well-known screenwriter, actor and producer, winner of the Emmy film award. He had impressive experience in creating television dramas at the time the production began. Viewers are familiar with his work, The New York Police, Blues Hill Street, Fart, and many others. He proposed to the HBO leadership to shoot a multi-part television movie, the action of which would take place during the reign of Emperor Nero. However, the channel has already launched production of the series "Rome". During the interview, the screenwriter was asked if he would be able to realize his plan if the events of Milch’s history were transferred to a different time period. David thought only for a moment, then nodded affirmatively, so Ancient Rome turned into the American Wild West, and David Milch’s idea was transformed into the Deadwood series. The reviews also touch on the painful topic of the sudden cessation of production.
Without an impressive climax
Most filmmakers are perplexed why the story remained unfinished. The fact is that after the release of three seasons without an official statement, HBO stopped production. The contracts of the actors were canceled or not renewed. The producers tried for some time to negotiate with the channel’s management about the possibility of filming two episodes in order to logically complete the project, but they could not reach agreement. So "Deadwood" - a series whose 1-3 season had the highest rating, was left without an impressive climax.
Plot
In general, according to reviews and reviews of the Deadwood series, its plot is based on artistic interpretation and real biographical facts from the life of prominent personalities - first settlers and entrepreneurs. The action takes place in the years 1876-1877. At the foot of the Black Hills mountain system in South Dakota's agitated gold rush, prospectors set up camp, calling it Deadwood. Guided by the hope of quick profit, criminals and adventurers from all over the United States gather in it. The growing town is corrupted by anarchy and lawlessness, the crime rate is growing by the hour. Unofficially, the crime boss Al Sverendzhen (Ian McShane) - the owner of the only in the town saloon "Jam" - runs the town. Only Sheriff Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) dared to confront such an influential person. The former marshal, upon arriving in the city, along with his old friend Solom Star (John Hawks) tried to keep the grocery store, but burned out and stood up to guard the law and order. Now the sheriff intends to stop the rampant crime and lawlessness. A review of Deadwood by Michael Gilts, a New York Post reviewer, characterizes the television movie as an intriguing detective story.
Ultimate Authenticity
Reviewers, evaluating the Deadwood series, posted constructive reviews in which they noted that David Milch’s desire for ultimate ultimatistical authenticity could not but delight, but the content of the project was of secondary importance. As in any other multi-season television movie, there is no single plot in it. There is a settlement of gold miners, historical figures (characters) and a mine. A simple, but rather fascinating plot is based on these components. Milch's project impresses with its uncompromising and convincing nature. The entourage of that time was recreated in the smallest details and lacked the gloss typical for art paintings-westerns. The authors intentionally demonstrate an ugly, unsightly world that the viewer believes in from the first minutes of timekeeping. After the series, many university history teachers in the United States included viewing it in their course, students have the opportunity to study the country's past in a truthful, albeit unpleasant, perspective.
Casting cast
The series "Deadwood" reviews are watched praising not only for the authenticity of the production, but also for the magnificent ensemble cast. The actors involved in the production of the television movie created a unique gallery of characteristic bright characters, their diversity and uniqueness surprise everyone. However, among all the performers, Ian McShane stands out, reincarnated as Al Sverengen. The actor was so selflessly accustomed to the image of his hero, so charismatically, expertly and brutally weaved obscene words into obscene lace that he won the Golden Globe Award. The role of McShane actually provided cult status to the hero. The scenes of solvation of the cultures of Al and Mr. Wu, demonstrated by Ian McShane and Kion Young, the dialogs of the heroes were sorted into quotes, they went to the people from the screen.
The remaining performers were not inferior to Ian McShane in mastery: T. Olyphant, M. Parker, B. Durif, W.E. Brown, D. Hawks and P. Malcomson.
Cult status
If we compare the level of staging, dramaturgy, and dedication of the participants in the filming process, including performers, with the majority of modern television series, we will understand that, unfortunately, the majority of TV people are driven by a thirst for profit. Their product is not distinguished by quality and artistic value. Most soap operas return the spectators to illiteracy in the cinema and outright bad taste. Therefore, Deadwood can be strongly recommended for viewing to every self-respecting synephil.