(aka "Born to Kill" or "Gamblin' Man" or "Wild Drifter")
directed by Monte Hellman
USA 1974
Had Monte Hellman's Two-Lane Blacktop received the attention it deserved upon its 1971 release, creating a tagline for his 1974 film Cockfighter would have been simple: "It's Two-Lane Blacktop with cockfighting!" Just as Blacktop offered total immersion in the subculture of illegal hot-rodding, the recently reissued Cockfighter—which, like Blacktop, was kept out of circulation for years—does the same for the unpleasant, widely illegal sport of its title. But Hellman chooses to overlook the familiarity of his themes, producing a film every bit as committed to its dangerous corner of the world as its predecessor. In one of the best performances of his career, Warren Oates plays a seasoned cockfighter who, because unwise words once cost him a chance at a championship, has taken a vow of silence until he can correct the mistake. After apparently bottoming out following a devastating loss to friendly rival Harry Dean Stanton in the opening sequence, Oates renews ties with an old lover (Patricia Pearcy) who has kept herself removed from the sport, then begins to rebuild his cockfighting career. The plot never thickens much beyond that, but it never needs to. Oates' portrayal of a backwater existential hero slowly reveals a state of mind in which money, houses, and (most) women are valuable only as stakes in his game. Beautifully shot by Néstor Almendros and unmistakably filmed on location using real participants in the cockfighting underground, Hellman's not-always-simulated fight scenes will make the film rough going for anyone who likes animals, but it's tough to deny Cockfighter's effectiveness.
Excerpt from Keith Phipps' review at The Onion A.V. Club
located HERE
Posters
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Theatrical Release: USA - August 1974
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC
Big thanks to Ole Kofoed for all the Screen Caps!
(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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The
Anchor Bay screenshots is scaled down from 960X540 while Catcom is the
original size. Catcom has used the same idea as seen seen on Elite's "Drive-In Discs" and Warner's "Night at the Movies" - so when you play the DVD it starts with Cockfighter then a short, 3 commercials, Dean Martin, intermission, Mad Dog Morgan and so forth. Unfortunately, although all the prints are in mediocre shape - the anamorphic Anchor Bay Cockfighter is the best looking and far superior to the Out-of-print Catcom edition - especially in the area of color. Anchor Bay has strong extras including a commentary. |
DVD
Menus
(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT
vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Catcom - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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Gary Tooze
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