In a Valley of Violence
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTi West
Written byTi West
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyEric Robbins
Edited byTi West
Music byJeff Grace
Production
company
Distributed byFocus World (United States)
Universal Pictures[1] (International)
Release dates
  • March 12, 2016 (2016-03-12) (SXSW)
  • October 21, 2016 (2016-10-21) (United States)
Running time
99 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$61,797[3]

In a Valley of Violence is a 2016 American Western film written and directed by Ti West. Jason Blum serves as producer through his production company Blumhouse Productions. The film stars Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, James Ransone, Karen Gillan, and John Travolta.

In a Valley of Violence had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 12, 2016,[4] and was released in a limited release and through video on demand on October 21, 2016, by Focus World. The film was a commercial failure grossing only $61,797, but received critical praise for the screenplay, direction, and the performances.

Plot

A drifter named Paul and his dog, Abbie, make their way towards Mexico through the desert of the Old West in the early 1870s. They encounter Priest, a bandit and disgraced clergyman who tries to steal Paul's horse after claiming that his mule is about to give out on him, but Paul whistles and Abbie attacks the would-be robber. Paul takes Priest's ammunition and his water canteen, before pouring out a bottle of whiskey on the man's wounds and leaving.

Paul enters Denton, a former boomtown on its last legs. In the tavern, Paul meets Gilly, an obnoxious and cocky young man who issues a challenge to fight when Paul threatens him. Gilly approaches Abbie to coax Paul outside, and Paul drops him with a single punch. As Gilly's fiancée Ellen rushes to his aid, Paul heads to the inn, where he meets Ellen's younger sister Mary-Anne. She thanks him for standing up to Gilly and draws Paul and Abbie a bath. U.S. Marshal Clyde Martin, Gilly's father, meets Paul in the inn. Clyde assured Paul that he knows Gilly provoked him but that won't tolerate an assault on one of his deputies. After identifying Paul as an ex-soldier, Clyde tells him to leave Denton in the morning. Mary-Anne gives Paul a picture to remember her by.

That night, Paul and Abbie are jumped by Gilly and Clyde's deputies Tubby, Roy, and Harris as they try to sleep. Gilly accuses Paul of being a deserter and shoots and stabs Abbie to death. He then has Roy and Harris push Paul off a nearby cliff, expecting the fall to kill him but not bothering to check. Paul wakes up the next day, buries Abbie and tells her that he is going to break his promise to her that he would never take another life. On his way back to town, Paul runs into Priest, and takes his mule and revolver.

In Denton, Mary-Anne shelters Paul and offers help. She begs Paul to take her away after he gets revenge, as she has no future in Denton. He refuses, telling her that he abandoned his wife and daughter to enlist in the army and could not bear to see them again after the atrocities he committed. At the hotel, Paul slits Roy's throat as he is bathing. Clyde is alerted to the situation and realizes what Gilly did. He has Harris lock up the jailhouse arsenal and station himself on the roof while Gilly guards the hotel. Gilly accuses Mary-Anne of aiding Paul and while arguing Ellen reveals to Gilly that she is pregnant with his child.

Paul ambushes Harris and forces him to fire on Clyde and Tubby as they make their way to the jailhouse; neither man is hit, but Paul then grabs Harris's rifle, kills him, and throws his body into the street. Inside the jailhouse, upset at the deaths of Roy and Harris, Tubby throws down his gun and starts arguing with Clyde. Paul shoots Tubby in the back through a window. Clyde agrees to disarm himself and surrender so he and Paul can talk. Gilly then comes out of the hotel to kill Paul, but Clyde gets between them to try and negotiate. Gilly and Paul shoot at each other with Clyde between them, fatally wounding him in the process.

Paul, wounded and out of ammunition, hides in a nearby stable. When Gilly enters, Paul slips a noose over his head and attempts to hang him before dropping him still breathing to the ground after his injuries kick in. Paul then resorts to beating Gilly with his own boot. As a blood-covered Gilly draws his knife, Mary-Anne appears and shoots him in the back with Tubby's gun. Mary-Anne and Paul make their way back to the inn, while a guilt-ridden Ellen finds Gilly's body. Priest wanders back into Denton and Paul tells him that he should stay, because "we could all use a little saving."

Cast

  • Ethan Hawke as Paul, an Indian Wars veteran and drifter.
  • John Travolta as U.S. Marshal Clyde Martin, the pragmatic but ruthless lawman who controls Denton. He has a wooden leg from serving in the military.
  • Taissa Farmiga as Mary-Anne, the innkeeper who grows fond of Paul.
  • James Ransone as Deputy Marshal Gilly Martin, an arrogant and corrupt lawman who runs afoul of Paul.
  • Karen Gillan as Ellen, Gilly's lover and Mary-Anne's condescending older sister.
  • Burn Gorman as Priest, an alcoholic gunslinger who wanders from town to town offering salvation.
  • Kaius Harrison as James T. Baxter, a salesman thrown out of Denton for overpricing his merchandise.
  • Toby Huss as Deputy Marshal Harris
  • Larry Fessenden as Deputy Marshal Roy
  • Tommy Nohilly as Deputy Marshal Tubby (a.k.a. "Lawrence")
  • Jumpy as Abbie, a Cheyenne dog adopted by Paul and named for his daughter.

Production

Pre-production

I had a Western that I was going to write. Then I heard Ethan Hawke wanted to do a Western, so I went to New York where he was doing Macbeth and I asked him about Westerns and pitched him my idea, and he liked it. So I was like, 'Alright, when you wrap, I'm going to send you a script and if you want to do it, let's do it, [and] if you don't, I'll just take the risk.'

– Ti West on the development of the project and his first meeting with Hawke[5]

The film was written and directed by Ti West, in collaboration with Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions and Universal Pictures.[6][7] West also served as a producer for the project, alongside Blum, Jacob Jaffke and Peter Phok.[8] In July 2014, Blum discussed his involvement with the film, "After Ethan [Hawke] and I did Sinister and The Purge, he really, really wanted to do a Western ... It took about a year to find In a Valley of Violence ... which is Ti West's movie." He added that what drew him to the project was his love of West's approach to filmmaking.[9] In March 2016, West revealed in an interview he had written the role with Hawke in mind.[10]

On March 18, 2014, The Hollywood Reporter announced that the film would star John Travolta and Ethan Hawke in main roles,[6] with Hawke portraying the film's protagonist Paul, and Travolta portraying the Marshal Clyde Martin,[11] who has a wooden leg.[12] On May 22, 2014, Deadline Hollywood reported that Taissa Farmiga had been cast as Mary-Anne, a young innkeeper.[13] The following day, Karen Gillan was cast as Ellen, the sister of Farmiga's character.[14] On June 3, 2014, it was announced that James Ransone had been cast in the final main role of Deputy Gilly Martin, the fiancé of Ellen and the son of the Marshal.[15]

While promoting the film, West spoke about finding a "talented" dog to fill the role of Abbie, Paul's canine companion.[16] The part was given to Jumpy, whose trainer, Omar von Muller, also trained Uggie, the late star of The Artist (2011).[17]

Filming

Principal photography for the project began on June 23, 2014, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and lasted approximately five weeks, 25 days in total.[18] The film was shot on 35mm film.[19] A makeshift Western town was built at Cerro Pelon Ranch in Galisteo, New Mexico for the duration of production and was used as the primary location for filming.[12] The elaborate set consisted of a saloon, ramshackle houses, train tracks and a feed-and-seed store.[12] The film's cinematographer, Eric Robbins, revealed that since they were shooting on film, footage wouldn't be seen for several days.[20] Travolta finished filming his scenes on July 16, 2014.[21] Gillan wrapped her scenes on July 18,[22] and Farmiga completed her scenes the following day, on July 19, 2014.[23] On July 26, 2014, Ti West announced on his Twitter account that principal photography for the film had concluded.[24]

Post-production

West edited the film in Burbank, California. On September 8, 2014, West appeared on Bret Easton Ellis' podcast and discussed the filming process of In a Valley of Violence, stating, "It's a Western from the first shot, so I'm really interested to hear people calling it slow burn ... It's a Western from frame one to the end frame, so there's no 'and then it became a Western' – it's always a Western. And that's kind of refreshing for me to make. It's just been artistically a pleasure to do."[25] On April 22, 2015, a raw cut of the film was test screened at the ArcLight cinema in Pasadena, California.[26] In late September 2015, West stated on his official Twitter account that the film was in the final stages of post-production.[27][28]


Soundtrack

In a Valley of Violence: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Jeff Grace
ReleasedOctober 21, 2016
GenreScore
Length46:39[29]
LabelBack Lot Music

On January 12, 2015, it was announced that composer Jeff Grace had been hired to write the musical score for the film, marking the fourth time Grace has scored for Ti West, having previously composed music for three of West's feature films: Trigger Man (2007), The House of the Devil (2009), and The Innkeepers (2011).[30] The soundtrack album, featuring Grace's original score, was released via digital download by Back Lot Music on the same day as the film's theatrical and VOD release: October 21, 2016.[31]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Priests and Sinners"6:10
2."Opening Titles"1:59
3."To Denton"3:44
4."Gilly"5:09
5."Leaving Town"3:05
6."Finding Abbie"3:23
7."Homestead"4:39
8."Hesitation Will Get You Killed"3:21
9."Returning To Town"2:58
10."Rooftop"4:10
11."Surrender and Standoff"2:55
12."Marshal's Goodbye"2:37
13."Ending"2:29
Total length:46:39

Distribution

Marketing

On August 17, 2015, the first still image from the film was released in black and white, featuring Ethan Hawke riding a horse.[32] Two more images were released on February 25, 2016, along with a more detailed plot synopsis.[33] In March 2016, the first poster for the film was released by Entertainment Weekly, shortly before its world premiere.[34] The first clip from the film, featuring Hawke and Travolta, was released in July 2016, ahead of its screening at the Fantasia International Film Festival.[35] The official trailer debuted on Entertainment Weekly's website on July 19, 2016.[36]

Release

In a Valley of Violence had its world premiere as a headlining film at South by Southwest on March 12, 2016.[4] The film screened at the Chicago Critics Film Festival on May 25, 2016, followed by a Q&A with West,[37] and the Seattle International Film Festival on May 28, 2016.[38] Prior to its premiere, Focus World acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, with Universal Pictures set to distribute internationally.[39][1]

The film was released in the United States, in a limited release and through video on demand, on October 21, 2016.[40] It was initially reported that the film would be released on September 16.[41]

Home media

In a Valley of Violence was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on December 27, 2016, with special features including a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.[42]

The film was released for streaming on Netflix in October 2020.[43]

Reception

Box office

In a Valley of Violence was released to 33 theaters across the United States on October 21, 2016,[44] and made $10,722 in its first day of release.[45] In its opening weekend, the film made $29,343, for a per theater average of $889.[46] Overall, the film made $61,797 in the United States, taking $44,738 in its first week, and $17,059 in its second and final week of release.[3]

Critical response

The film received positive reviews from critics. On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, it received a 77% approval rating, based on 71 reviews, with a weighted average of 6.79/10. The critical consensus reads, "In a Valley of Violence offers a smartly conceived homage to classic Westerns that transcends pastiche with absurdist humor and a terrific cast."[47] Metacritic reports a score of 64 out of 100, based on 20 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[48]

Andrew Barker for Variety wrote, "Stripping its gunslinger plot down to the most essential pillars, the film has plenty of incidental pleasures to offer: a few chuckles, some typically Westian explosions of violence, a deliriously fun score, and a pair of perfectly solid performances from Ethan Hawke and John Travolta."[49] John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter, who in his review praised the performance of Hawke but found Travolta miscast, wrote of the film, "A genre revival that's always enjoyable, even when suffering a minor personality crisis near the end."[50] Bill Goodykoontz of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 3 out of 5 stars, writing, "... what makes In a Valley of Violence a notch better than a simple genre exercise is West's sense of fun. Occasionally he overindulges it, but it serves the film well."[51]

References

  1. 1 2 Pritchard, Tiffany (March 2016). "Ti West talks SXSW revenge Western 'In A Valley Of Violence'". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  2. ↑ "IN a VALLEY OF VIOLENCE | British Board of Film Classification". Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "In a Valley of Violence (2016) – Weekly Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  4. 1 2 McNary, Dave (February 2, 2016). "SXSW Unveils Lineup With James Caan, Ethan Hawke, Keegan-Michael Key Movies". Variety.
  5. ↑ Foutch, Haleigh (June 4, 2014). "Ti West Talks The Sacrament, Shooting a Vérité Film, Taking a Break from Horror, His Upcoming Western In a Valley of Violence and More". Collider.
  6. 1 2 Kit, Borys (March 18, 2014). "John Travolta, Ethan Hawke to Star in Western film From Jason Blum (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (July 20, 2014). "NBCUniversal Signs Producer Jason Blum to 10-Year Multiplatform Deal". The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. ↑ "Jason Blum Talks Insidious: Chapter 3, In A Valley Of Violence, and Ascension". Collider. July 18, 2014.
  9. ↑ Foutch, Haleigh (July 18, 2014). "Jason Blum Talks Insidious: Chapter 3, In a Valley of Violence, Sinister 2, Amityville, Jem and the Holograms, and Ascension". Collider. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  10. ↑ Macaulay, Scott (March 12, 2016). "SXSW: Five Questions for In a Valley of Violence Writer/Director Ti West". Filmmaker. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  11. ↑ Vinyard, Papa (March 18, 2014). "Ti West is going In A Valley Of Violence with John Travolta and Ethan Hawke!!". Ain't it Cool. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 Schlenker, Dave (August 21, 2014). "Local actor has small role in Travolta film". Ocala.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022.
  13. ↑ Yamato, Jen (May 22, 2014). "Taissa Farmiga Joins Ethan Hawke, John Travolta In Revenge Western 'In A Valley Of Violence'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  14. ↑ Yamato, Jen (May 23, 2014). "'Doctor Who's Karen Gillan Joins Ti West's 'In A Valley Of Violence'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  15. ↑ Yamato, Jen (June 3, 2014). "James Ransone Joins Blumhouse Western 'In A Valley Of Violence'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  16. ↑ Saito, Stephen (October 20, 2016). "Interview: Ti West on the New Frontier of "In a Valley of Violence"". The Moveable Fest. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  17. ↑ Dessem, Matthew (October 12, 2016). "The Celebrity-Industrial Complex's Newest Star Is a Very Good Dog Named Jumpy". Slate. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  18. ↑ ""In a Valley of Violence" Starring John Travolta and Ethan Hawke Acting Auditions Casting Call". ProjectCasting.com. June 5, 2014. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  19. ↑ Crum, Chris (December 3, 2014). "In a Valley of Violence: Here's What We Know About Ti West's Next Movie". iHorror.com.
  20. ↑ Maculay, Scott (March 11, 2016). "In a Valley of Violence DP Eric Robbins on Shooting Ti West's New Film in 35mm". Filmmaker. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  21. ↑ West, Ti [@Ti_West] (July 17, 2014). "Picture Wrap on John Travolta" (Tweet). Retrieved July 20, 2014 – via Twitter.
  22. ↑ West, Ti [@Ti_West] (July 18, 2014). "Picture Wrap on Karen Gillan #InAValleyOfViolence" (Tweet). Retrieved July 20, 2014 – via Twitter.
  23. ↑ West, Ti [@Ti_West] (July 19, 2014). "Picture Wrap on Taissa Farmiga #InAValleyOfViolence" (Tweet). Retrieved July 20, 2014 – via Twitter.
  24. ↑ West, Ti [@Ti_West] (July 26, 2014). "That's a Wrap! #InAValleyOfViolence" (Tweet). Retrieved July 28, 2014 – via Twitter.
  25. ↑ Ellis, Bret Easton (September 8, 2014). "Bret Easton Ellis Podcast B.E.E. – Ti West 9/8/14". PodcastOne (Podcast).
  26. ↑ West, Ti [@Ti_West] (April 24, 2015). "Best test screening quote about my new film ..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ↑ West, Ti [@Ti_West] (September 29, 2015). "Today is the final day of sound mixing on IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  28. ↑ West, Ti [@Ti_West] (October 1, 2015). "Tomorrow is the last day of color correction on IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ↑ "In a Valley of Violence Soundtrack (2016)". Soundtrack.net. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Jeff Grace Scoring Ti West's 'In a Valley of Violence'". Film Music Reporter. January 12, 2015.
  31. ↑ "'In a Valley of Violence' Soundtrack Released". Film Music Reporter. October 21, 2016.
  32. ↑ Webster, Christopher (August 17, 2015). "First Look at Ethan Hawke in Ti West's In a Valley of Violence". Quiet Earth.
  33. ↑ "In a Valley of Violence Movie Starring Ethan Hawke". Teaser Trailer. February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  34. ↑ Collis, Clark (March 8, 2016). "SXSW: Ethan Hawke, John Travolta, Karen Gillan head West for In a Valley of Violence". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  35. ↑ Barkan, Jonathan (July 6, 2016). "Travolta and Hawke Square Off in This 'In a Valley of Violence' Clip". Bloody Disgusting.
  36. ↑ Collis, Clark (July 19, 2016). "In a Valley of Violence trailer: John Travolta is the law in new Western". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  37. ↑ Phillips, Michael (April 25, 2016). "Chicago Critics Film Festival announces full May line-up". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  38. ↑ "In a Valley of Violence – SIFF 2016". Seattle International Film Festival. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  39. ↑ Brooks, Brian (October 21, 2016). "Michael Moore Trumps Weekend Buzz; Leonardo DiCaprio Floats 'Before the Flood' – Specialty B.O. Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  40. ↑ Anderson, Derek (July 7, 2016). "Ti West's In A Valley of Violence Theatrical, VOD & Digital HD Release Date Announced". Daily Dead. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  41. ↑ Mancini, Vince (March 13, 2016). "SXSW: Doug Benson Ejects A Texter From Ti West's 'In A Valley Of Violence'". Uproxx.com. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  42. ↑ Miska, Brad (October 27, 2016). "Ti West's 'In a Valley of Violence' Gets Holiday Home Video Release". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  43. ↑ Campbell, Scott (October 12, 2020). "An Underrated John Travolta Movie Hits Netflix This Week". We Got This Covered. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  44. ↑ Brevet, Brad (October 20, 2016). "Weekend Box Office Forecast: 'Jack Reacher', Madea's 'Boo!' and 'Ouija 2'". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  45. ↑ Mendelson, Scott (October 22, 2016). "Friday Box Office: 'Moonlight' Scores Huge, 'American Pastoral' Stumbles". Forbes. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  46. ↑ "In a Valley of Violence (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  47. ↑ "In a Valley of Violence (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  48. ↑ "In a Valley of Violence Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  49. ↑ Barker, Andrew (March 12, 2016). "SXSW Film Review: 'In a Valley of Violence'". Variety. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  50. ↑ DeFore, John (March 12, 2016). "'In a Valley of Violence': SXSW Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  51. ↑ Goodykoontz, Bill (October 20, 2016). "Horror director has fun going West with 'In a Valley of Violence'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
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