Where was Open Range filmed?
2003
City Locations
Alberta (Canada), Calgary (Canada), Longview (Canada), Morley (Canada)
Location Types
Nature, Ranch, Riverside
Location Styles
Southwestern, Ranch Style, Dated
About Open Range
Kevin Costner directed and co-produced the 2003 American Revisionist Western Open Range, written by Craig Storper and based on Lauran Paine's novel The Open Range Men. Robert Duvall and Costner share the screen, with Michael Gambon, Annette Bening, and Michael Jeter providing supporting roles.
The movie was sadly the last on-screen appearance of Jeter, who passed away before its release, and the film is dedicated to his memory as well as that of Costner's parents, Bill and Sharon.
Open Range was met with approving critiques, due in part to the stellar chemistry between Costner and Duvall. The consensus agrees: this movie stands out from other films of its genre with its captivating performances.
Roger Ebert, a prominent critic in his field, awarded Open Range three and a half stars out of four. He declared it an "imperfect yet enthralling and artfully crafted Western movie." Similarly, Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian gave it four out of five stars, lauding Duvall for his "best performance in ages."
The gun fighting scenes were recorded in extended wide shots, giving them an intensely realistic feel - in spite of earning the film an R rating. Kevin Carr of FilmThreat.com claims this form of action is far better than other attempts to emulate The Matrix's famous “bullet time.” Moviola described the scenes as "one of the most exciting ever filmed," while IGN, USA Today, Total Film, and Guns & Ammo all proclaimed them one of the best.
Open Range Locations
Kevin Costner's 2003 Western drama Open Range is set in Montana, but the filming primarily took place in Alberta, Canada. Principal photography ran from June 17th to September 8th, 2002, with most shots filmed on the Stoney Indian Reservation, as well as parts of Longview, Calgary, and Morley.
Costner himself spent nearly a million dollars to construct an entirely new town for the production, due to his dislike of pre-existing locations. In addition to this expenditure, another $40k was spent building a road specifically for staff to reach the said film set.
On top of it all, 225 cattle had to be handled by trained cowboys during the production. It’s undeniable that Costner put in an enormous amount of dedication and hard work into Open Range, alongside fellow cattlemen seeking revenge against a land baron and corrupt Sheriff. But despite its finesse, this underrated drama remains underappreciated even today, however, it was deemed a major success amongst traditional Western viewers.
Meeting Sheriff Poole scene in Open Range
Stoney Indian Reservation, Alberta, Canada
Boss Spearman (Duvall) and Charley Waite (Costner) travel to the Stony Indian Reservation for a meeting with Sheriff Poole (Michael Gambon). While there, they are confronted by a group of troublemakers and have to use their quick thinking to save themselves from a potentially dangerous confrontation.
Stoney Indian Reservation, Alberta is an area of picturesque beauty in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The reservation is composed of the four communities of Bearspaw, Chiniki, Wesley, and Goodstoney. This region has a rich Indigenous history and culture which can be explored through its numerous historical sites and artifacts.
Aside from beautiful landscapes and lush forest trails, visitors will also find museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Canada's First Nations peoples. If you want to get to the Stoney Indian Reservation in Alberta, the easiest route is to travel through the Town of Morley.
The town is just a short drive away from Calgary, making it an ideal starting point for any journey! Stoney Indian Reserve is located on the foothills of Moose Mountain and offers stunning views as well as interesting historical sites.
As an added bonus, it's just a few minutes outside of Banff National Park, so if you're looking for an incredible wilderness experience, this is the perfect destination.
Road to Harmonville scene in Open Range
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Waite and Spearman need to make a treacherous journey through cold and dangerous terrain to get to the town of Harmonville for medical supplies for their injured friend. Along the way, they encounter bears and other obstacles that inhibit their progress and put them in danger.
In the end, the two cowboys make it safely to Harmonville where they are able to acquire the medicine they need. This thrilling adventure highlights one of Calgary’s most beautiful landscapes and creates a captivating experience for viewers.
Calgary, Alberta is an incredible city filled with endless opportunities for exploration. From the bustling downtown area to the stunning natural landscapes outside of town, there's something for everyone in this vibrant and eclectic city!
Head downtown to experience award-winning cuisine, explore unique art galleries, catch a show at the iconic Saddledome arena, or take in the stunning views from one of the many nearby parks. Outside of downtown, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the winter or kayaking and canoeing trips down the Bow River during warmer weather.
An easy way to get there is to book a flight, Calgary International Airport offers flights from all over the world. Going by car is another option for the road tripper looking for a new experience. The distance from Vancouver, BC to Calgary is about 837 km, so hop in the car and hit the road.
And if you're feeling adventurous, consider taking a train ride across Canada's gorgeous prairies! What better way to experience Alberta than by rail? No matter what mode of transportation you choose to get to Calgary, it will be an exciting journey that will leave lasting memories.
Harmonville scene in Open Range
Longview, Alberta, Canada
When Waite and Spearman ride into town to get medicine, they are greeted with tension from the townsfolk and forced to answer questions about their intentions as they try to find a doctor willing to help them. It becomes clear that no one is willing to come to the aid of their friend, and Waite takes matters into his hands by confronting a group of hostile townsfolk. His brave actions allow the two cowboys to get what they need and leave unharmed.
Longview is a small town nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Alberta. With a population of fewer than 500 people, Longview offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. Despite its small size, this community has much to offer like its unique restaurants and diverse local shops.
Visitors can also explore the nearby picturesque scenery, which includes numerous trails for hiking and horseback riding. The area surrounding Longview is also home to several popular attractions like the Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site and Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Whether you're looking to relax or explore something new, Longview is an ideal destination for those looking to experience something off the beaten path!
One of the best ways to get to Longview is by car. You can take Highway 2 (AKA Cowboy Trail) until you reach the town’s limits. For those coming from outside of Canada and prefer public transportation, there are regular buses operated by Greyhound Canada with routes connecting Calgary to Longview.
Clay Kinney's ranch scene in Open Range
Morley, Alberta, Canada
Waite and Spearman take refuge after their perilous journey to Harmonville. The pair meets Clay Kinney (Michael Gambon) here and he offers them food, shelter, and a chance to rest up before continuing on their way.
The scenery features stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and rolling hills unique to Alberta's countryside. It perfectly encapsulates the beauty of Alberta while conveying a sense of safety and hospitality that defines Canadian culture.
Morley, Alberta is an enchanting small town nestled among the Rocky Mountains of Western Canada. With a population of about 1600 people, this little community exudes a sense of warm hospitality and close-knit family values. Visitors will find plenty of outdoor adventures from kayaking trips down the Bow River to hiking at nearby Mount Lorette and traveling through John Laurie Provincial Park.
In town, travelers can explore the Elbow Valley Visitor Centre or catch a show at the Stoney Nation Band Council Powwow Grounds. No matter what you choose to do in Morley, Alberta, it's sure to be an experience that you'll never forget!
Conclusion
For ten years, Charley (Kevin Costner) and Boss (Robert Duvall) have journeyed the prairies with their cattle in tow. With them comes Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and an orphaned teen called Button (Diego Luna). Upon reaching a familiar area, they find that something has shifted: Baxter (Michael Gambon), the current landowner and majority proprietor of the town, has declared that no cattle are permitted to graze his property.
Since Baxter owns the town, including the Sheriff, there is little recourse in requesting help from legal channels. Faced with this obstacle and a distant federal marshall too far to be of assistance, it falls to Charley, Boss, and Baxter to solve the impasse themselves.
When Baxter's men confront Button and Mose, Boss and Charley are moved to take a stand not only for the protection of their herd or wealth but against all forms of tyranny. This situation draws in locals like the stable manager (Michael Jeter) as well as a doctor whose strong-willed sister (Annette Bening) takes up arms. Conflict ensues but it’s one that was fairly earned due to a well-crafted story by its characters. Ultimately generating a resolution fitting enough for everyone involved.