Cockfighter

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Monte Hellman's Cockfighter, adapted by cult noir writer Charles Willeford from his novel, is a strange bird indeed, an art film for an exploitation audience. Set in the game-fighting pits of the Deep South, it follows a season on the circuit with Frank Mansfield (Warren Oates), a veteran fighter whose hubris has cost him everything and who rebuilds his stable and his reputation while honoring a vow of silence. Costars Harry Dean Stanton and Laurie Bird previously appeared with Oates in Hellman's cult classic Two-Lane Blacktop. There are also appearances by Millie Perkins, Steve Railsback, Richard B. Schull, and writer Willeford, who acquits himself nicely as a pit judge.

Oates's portrayal of a determined, silent obsessive is almost minimalist yet beautifully expressive, accomplished with gestures, smiles, and nods. He's thoughtful and gentle yet dedicated to bloodsport, and his contradictions can be felt in the tension between the comic adventures and gritty stories of Willeford's script, with the meditative intensity of Hellman's often serene direction and cinematographer Nestor Almendros's lovely images of the Deep South's rural beauty.

Cockfighter was one of the few films produced by "King of the B's" Roger Corman that lost money, so he added a dream sequence full of nudity, created a trailer with action scenes nowhere to be found in the film, and rereleased the film under the title Born to Kill. Needless to say, Anchor Bay has returned to Hellman's original cut, which does contain footage of real and often savage cockfights. Animal lovers and squeamish viewers beware.

The accompanying documentary Warren Oates: Across the Border is a genial if ultimately lightweight portrait of the actor by friends and fellow performers Ben Johnson, Stacy Keach, Peter Fonda, and his Cockfighter compatriots Harry Dean Stanton, Millie Perkins, and Monte Hellman.

The DVD also features commentary by Hellman and production assistant Steven Gaydos, along with moderator Dennis Bartok. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie.......2006-11-01

Ok, animal rights folks and the sqeamish beware that there are actual cockfight scenes in this film. Having said that, this is an amazing movie and story. An, almost, lost part of Americana and featuring such great (and sometimes under-rated) actors. Warren Oates is great, as always, as is Harry Dean Stanton. The directing is amazing and the scenes of the time-period and place is outstanding. I think what is missing in today's pictures (many things really) is actors that aren't model material. Warren Oates and Stanton for example would be hard-pressed to be leading men in today's pictures but they are such outstanding actors that this movie is a must see. Highly recommended!

Vanishing Ways.......2006-01-09

This is not an exploitation film, nor is it hard to watch, as some would have you believe. Yes, it depicts real cockfights, but that is what this is about- cockfighting and the men who love(d) it... This film is graceful, lovely, and goes down quite easily. It's one that you can finish and then watch again right away.

I'm not going to address issues of morality here, because if you have problems with the subject matter then why are you even reading reviews on this. I'm also not going to recap the plot, as that can be found elsewhere. I just wanted to write and say how really magnificent this work is, and if you have a love of vanishing Americana, then you must check it out.

Cockfighter.......2005-09-27

W. C. Fields had a notorious and well-documented loathing of children and small animals. There's nothing innately evil about children and small animals, but they tend to be small and cute and have been known to steal an audience's attention and sympathy without breaking much of a sweat. Roosters tend to be small, if not terribly cute. They're capable of diverting an audience's attention, though. Would Fields have envied COCKFIGHTER'S Warren Oates? After all, Oates not only gets to (really) kick a feathered, five-pound scene-stealer, but also, in a continuous, uncut shot, gets to stretch its neck out and chop its head off.

Animals WERE harmed during the making of COCKFIGHTER and anyone who might find graphic scenes of violence upsetting or repulsive are strongly urged to let this one pass by. Built on a small ($400,000) budget and shot on a tight, four-week schedule by Monte Hellman for producer Roger Corman (Hellman, on the commentary track, claims this is one of only two movies Corman never made a profit on) COCKFIGHTER is a quickie/cheapie that cuts deep against the grain by exploring more than exploiting. Shot in Georgia and wisely going for a run-down, lived-in, authentic look, COCKFIGHTER introduces us to Frank Mansfield (Warren Oates) at what seems a typical point in his life. He's making an outrageous bet with Jack Burke (Harry Dean Stanton) and we're soon to see minus truck, trailer, and live-in girlfriend. Flashbacks teach us that it's not the first time he's made a wager he can't afford and won't back down from. One of those ill-timed bets inspired a mocking `Look where your big mouth got you!' And so Frank takes a vow of silence, a self-imposed penance that speaks volumes of Frank's stubborn sense of honor.

The vow is maintained throughout the movie, save for the intermittent voice-over narration. It's a vow Frank will keep until he's able to redeem himself to himself. Of course, redemption comes in many guises. For Frank, it may be finding the right bird - a white rooster named White Lightning, for instance - and riding him to the Championship, or it might be establishing a solid relationship with the woman he loves, Dody White Burke (Laurie Bird.) The emotional meat of this one is carried in the scenes between Oates and Bird, a relationship that probably should have been fleshed out some. If there's a flaw in this movie it's that it doesn't allow us into the triumphs and setbacks on the road to the Championship, and, it doesn't spend enough time with Dody and Frank. Still, the movie spends a lot of time in the ring, and the down-home earthiness filmed in a quasi-documentary style delivers a powerful punch. On the c-track Hellman says they considered using an amateur cast. There are an awful lot of barking amateurs populating the screen, but Oates, the last American actor for all seasons, fits smoothly into this environment. Some movie stars we admire because they do things that we wish we could do. Oates is that rarer, much rarer, bird who we relate to because they're us. That he delivers a powerful performance without uttering a word is little short of astounding.

Master cinematographer Néstor Almendros captures perfectly the furtive beauty of cockfighting. Oates is perfect. Stanton, Bird, and the rest of the cast acquit themselves with honor. Hellman gives the subject a down-home feeling that fits well. The story may be a little undercooked and the Laurie Bird character underdeveloped, but this is certainly better than the typical drive-in, exploitation fare Corman was specializing in at the time. A very good film and worth a view.

"Winning is the name of the game.".......2005-08-21

Warren Oates plays Frank Mansfield in 1974's "Cockfighter." Although outlawed in most states, cockfighting was legal in Georgia, and Oates portrays a top trainer. However, Mansfield is also a deeply flawed man whose success leads him to recklessness. On the night before a major fight, he impetuously enters a cockfight that ends badly. At that moment, he takes a vow of silence, which he will not break until he can regain his position in the sport. Throughout most of the movie, therefore, Oates is mute, with his thoughts serving as narration.

Warren Oates is truly great in this role. His weathered face and ability to portray unsympathetic characters in a likeable manner bring great authority to this film. Although perhaps best known for his appearances in Peckinpah films (The Wild Bunch, Ride the High Country), he also did extraordinary work in a number of lesser known 1970's films: Two-Lane Blacktop, Badlands, Rancho Deluxe. He's not as well known as his peers Pacino or DeNiro, but his fans would argue that he's every bit as talented - count me as one of his devotees.

Director Monte Hellman was a collaborator with legendary producer Roger Corman, and he's simply one of the most underappreciated filmmakers of the 1970s. He specialized in spare, low-key character studies, such as "Two-Lane Blacktop" (1971). This film is so vibrant because of his talent for using naturalistic settings and minimalist direction. His style is perfectly suited to this script, which was adapted by Charles Willeford from his novel of the same name. The book is out-of-print, but Willeford is a marvelous writer of noir and gritty fiction, such as "The Burnt Orange Heresy."

Despite being a solid character study, the film is probably of limited appeal. For the most part, the sport of cockfighting (if you consider it a sport) serves only as the background, and the characters drive the film. However, the sport is presented in an unflinching manner. The bloody and violent aspects of cockfighting are not glossed over in any way. Thus, this film is definitely not for people who are squeamish or extremely passionate about humane treatment of animals. In ways, though, the film is reminiscent of Peckinpah, who made violent deaths in "The Wild Bunch" seem almost operatic in their grandeur. Watching the cockfights depicted here is almost sickening, but Hellman manages to capture their bizarre magnificence as well. If you can set aside your distaste for the topic matter, then you will be treated to some great acting and directing and a truly unique cinematic experience.

DVD extras: For a DVD release of a fairly obscure 1970s film, this package is pretty terrific. Monte Hellman provides an interesting commentary that really could serve as a primer for 1970s indie film. A documentary about the work and life of Warren Oates is also included.

Warren Oates and his chickens..........2005-08-01

The main reason I purchased the movie Cockfighter (1974) aka Born to Kill aka Gamblin' Man aka Wild Drifter was because I'm a big fan of the crazy-eyed Warren Oates (Dillinger, Dixie Dynamite). As far as director Monte Hellman goes, the only other film of his I've seen, up until this one, has been the 1974 Hammer film Shatter, which wasn't really all that good, but in his defense, he was uncredited for his work there, so it's difficult to say how much involvement he had in that film. I am interested in seeing the film he's primarily known for, Two-Lane Blacktop (1971), but I am unwilling to pay the outrageously overblown prices being asked by gougers for the now out of print DVDs. Hopefully Anchor Bay Entertainment will see fit to re-release this film sometime in the future. Also appearing with Oates is Richard B. Shull (The Big Bus, Splash), Harry Dean Stanton (Kelly's Heroes, Repo Man), Ed Begley Jr. (She-Devil), Laurie Bird (Two-Lane Blacktop), Troy `You may remember me from such films as' Donahue (Monster on the Campus, A Summer Place), Warren Finnerty (The Panic in Needle Park), Robert Earl Jones, father of the man who did the voice of Darth Vader (James Earl Jones), Patricia Pearcy (Squirm), Millie Perkins (The Diary of Anne Frank), and the slightly enigmatic (and highly kooky) Steve Railsback, who scared the hell out of many a viewer with his disturbingly realistic portrayal of serial killer Charles Manson in the 1977 made-for-TV film Helter Skelter.

As the film begins we meet Frank Mansfield (Oates), a game fowl trainer, who is trying to rebuild his career on the cockfight circuit after a devastating loss in a previous finals tournament where he, in effect, shot off his mouth and ended up losing big...actually, he never even got to make a showing in the tournament as he lost his prize bird during a unscheduled fight. Subsequently he made a vow to himself that he would not speak until he won the prestigious cockfighter of the year medal (no foolin'). Anyway, after a loss that forces him to give up his car, mobile home, and his girlfriend, Frank returns to his home to regroup. Turns out Frank has a fiancée of sorts, and she's putting the pressure on him to tie the knot, but he's got to go forward with his career (no time for love, Dr. Jones...) and does so appropriating the needed funds through some creative home financing, along with taking on a partner. With gamecock in hand, Frank begins to rise to the top, eventually making it to the southern conference finals, which are being held at the governors' mansion (?!) Will Frank take the big tamale? I'm not going to say, but I will say that many chickens were hurt during the making of this movie, so if you are unable to stomach chicken on chicken violence, steer clear...

This wasn't a particularly pleasant film (in terms of the graphic, authentic nature of some of the scenes), but I did learn a number of things...like roosters are very ugly creatures, but that doesn't mean they should be pitted against each other for entertainment purposes. I also learned cockfighting isn't just throwing two birds in a ring and watching them go at it...it's a sport...a vile blood sport, yes, but a sport, one involving training (much like a prizefighter training for a bout), rules, an actual fighting circuit, and dirty tricks galore. The interesting thing about a film like this is it allows the viewer to enter a world they would not normally get to see...and it doesn't seem to glorify the `sport', but use it as a backdrop to tell a story...a controversial backdrop, certainly. There was a whole lot of fighting in the film, but it was shot in such a way as to not overshadow the story and the characters. I had a bit of trepidation when I learned Oates' character didn't speak throughout the film (he did have some voiceover representing inner monologue) but he and director Hellman did very well having his restlessly obsessive, even sensitive character communicating through other means (his own form of sign language or pad and paper, for example) as he tries to not only redeem himself, but also to reconcile his personal and professional lives. As I said before, I've been a fan of Warren Oates for a long time...he just seemed like such a unique personality, much like his co-star Harry Dean Stanton. Neither man is, or was, particularly handsome, but they always managed to bring a realistic quality to their characters, almost instantly adding a level of credibility. There were some truly, absurdly funny moments in the film like when one particular competition gets shut down due to pressures from the SPCA, so the men decide to continue on within the hotel rooms. One fellow asks what they are going to do with the dead birds, and the promoter responds by telling him they'll stack them in the bathtub...for some reason, I don't see these guys being welcomed back to this hotel anytime soon. Another great scene involves a character played by Ed Begley Jr., a sort of goony backwoods, overall wearing type who, with his fighter Lil' Joe, challenge Frank to a private match...one thing that surprised me more than anything else was the fact this was a film produced by Roger Corman...I'm not that he didn't make good movies or anything like that, but there's just a lot more depth here than one would have expected for his usual fare...also, let's face it, on a superficial level this film would appeal to a fairly selective audience (certainly not Corman's style), with, perhaps, the exception of those who don't mind getting a little dirty for the sake of getting to witness a better than average story...all in all, an excellent story with strong characters...and some cockfighting...

Anchor Bay Entertainment provides a very good-looking widescreen (1.77:1), enhanced for 16X9 TVs, print on this DVD (there is some grain), along with very decent Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio track. There are a number of special features including a TV spot, two radio spots, talent bios, an audio commentary tracks with director Hellman and production assistant Steven Gaydos, moderated by Dennis Bartok, along with a 54 minute featurette titled Warren Oates: Across the Border, which features a number of writers, directors, family members, and stars (Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, Robert Culp, Stacy Keach, Ned Beatty, Peter Fonda), all waxing poetic about Oates and his life...not a bad piece, but it could have used a bit more depth. Also included is a 5x7 Theatrical Poster Replica within the DVD case.

Cookieman108

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Cockfighter/Mad Dog

Manufacturer: Krb Music
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

Dolby Digital Souond
Interactive Menus
Standard Full Frame
This Disc is Compatible with all DVD players Worldwide
Color

ASIN: B000EN1V42
Release Date: 2006-03-27

Product Description

Cockfighter Frank Mansfield (Warren Oates) is a game cock trainer who has taken a vow of silence; he once bragged too loudly about his cockfighting prowess and ended up losing his best fowl in a drunken, late-night match before an important tournament. To regain his pride after such hubris, Frank refuses to utter a word until he wins the coveted "Cockfighter of the Year" medal. Cockfighter follows his ups and downs as he attempts to succeed in the shadowy, barely legal sport. Frank loses his truck, trailer, and a girlfriend after trying to rig a match with fellow cocksman Jack Burke (Harry Dean Stanton), and has to sell his house to raise funds for stock. Later, Frank wins ten roosters in a private backwoods match and trains them heavily with his partner, Omar Baradinsky (Richard B. Shull), working his way back to the top of his chosen craft. He also attempts to reestablish his relationship with an old girlfriend (Patricia Pearcy) who doesn't know much about cockfighting and is repulsed when she actually witnesses one in the flesh. There is plenty of brutal footage included in Cockfighter that will dismay many animal lovers, so those with qualms about the sport should steer clear. Mad Dog Dennis Hopper plays the title character in this true story of a 19th-century Australian gold-digger who is pressed into a life of crime. A six-year stint in jail doesn't provide reform, but does introduce him to an Aboriginal partner-in-crime (David Gulpilil). The duo then proceed to terrorize the province of New South Wales with no lack of violence.

Cockfighter (Born to Kill) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Spain ]

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Cockfighter (Born to Kill) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Spain ]
Director: Monte Hellman
Manufacturer: Sogemedia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Spain released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0), Portuguese (Subtitles), Spanish (Subtitles), SYNOPSIS: Story of a champion cockfighter who vows never to speak again until his cock wins a fight (his last prize cock was killed while he was boasting), and how he claws his way up to the championship. SPECIAL FEATURES: Storyboards, Interactive Menu, Filmographies, Biographies,

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