Open Range

One of the more fully-realized making-of documentaries about a new film to be found in a DVD package, Beyond Open Range by, a collaboration between Buena Vista's Andy Siditsky and David Jessen and star/director Kevin Costner, runs 65 minutes and takes a candid look at the production of a movie that in the early stages, had no financial backer apart from its penny-conscious Costner. At one point in the documentary, the one-time box-office champ declares that his hoped-for financier is a "slippery dick, a real piece of shit," while later he frets about coming off like a psycho in front of co-star Annette Bening. It doesn't get more candid than this. Open Range was clearly a labor of love for Costner, and his imprint is all over the DVD. As well as a scene-specific commentary, he narrates a short history of the "real Open Range" and introduces many of the dozen deleted scenes (most of which he's thrilled to exhibit on disc). You half expect him to turn up singing the accompanying music video. As for the film itself, Open Range is a deftly handled tale of vengeance, gunfights and personal integrity, sprinkled with 21st century production values. It's also beautiful to look at, with Jim Muro's gorgeous cinematography highlighting the mountains and valleys of the Old West (or, in this case, Alberta, Canada, where the film was shot). Although some edge enhancement is visible, it's a palatable, colorful presentation. And in keeping with Costner's proclamation on his commentary that loud, startling noises are important to the story, the audio track is all about maximum impact, with every gunshot reverberating as though it were a mini explosion. --Gary Frisch