About Bone Tomahawk

Bone Tomahawk is a 2015 American horror western film written and directed by S. Craig Zahler. The movie is centered around a group of four men who set out into the wild west to rescue a group of captives from cannibalistic cave dwellers. The film effectively blends elements of horror and western genres, with its gritty atmosphere and graphic violence.

Plot and Summary

The movie takes place in the 1890s in the small town of Bright Hope. When a local woman (Lili Simmons) and a deputy (Evan Jonigkeit) are kidnapped by a group of troglodytes (cave dwellers, in this context), an improbable rescue group consisting of her husband Arthur (Patrick Wilson), the town's sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell), a backup deputy Chicory (Richard Jenkins), and seasoned gunman John Brooder (Matthew Fox) sets out to save them.

Making / Production

Bone Tomahawk was S. Craig Zahler's directorial debut. The film was shot in 21 days on a significantly smaller budget than typically expected for a western-style movie. Despite the budget and time constraints, Zahler was able to maintain creative control and deliver a film that received largely positive critical reception.

Actors

• Kurt Russell as Sheriff Franklin Hunt: Kurt Russell masterfully depicts a seasoned lawman who is determined to fulfill his duty, portraying a character with tough exterior but a kind heart.
• Patrick Wilson as Arthur O'Dwyer: Wilson's performance effectively conveys a man driven by love for his wife and a determination that's blind to his personal physical limitations.
• Richard Jenkins as Chicory: As the backup deputy, Jenkins provides much of the film’s comic relief, lending warmth and humor to an otherwise grim setting.
• Matthew Fox as John Brooder: Fox plays a skilled, albeit narcissistic, gunman who's racked up a large body count of Native Americans and carries a personal grudge.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was made on a tight budget and shooting schedule, being shot in only 21 days.
• Bone Tomahawk is a rare blend of the horror and western movie genres.
• The film marks director S. Craig Zahler's feature film debut.

Quotes

• "Say goodbye to my wife. I'll say hello to yours." - Sheriff Hunt
• "This is why frontier life is so difficult. Not because of the Indians or the elements but because of the idiots." - John Brooder
• "It's the official opinion of the backup deputy that it's suicide to go in the night. So we'll wait until dawn." - Chicory

Music, Soundtrack

The music and soundtrack for Bone Tomahawk were composed by Jeff Herriott and S. Craig Zahler. Here are some of the most notable tracks:

• "Four Doomed Men Ride Out"
• "In The Defile"
• "The Letter That Won't Ever Be Sent"
• "Troglodyte Horde"