Cockfighter

Be the first to write a review

Overview

When originally released in 1974 by Roger Corman's New World Pictures, Cockfighter bombed and never had a chance to capture an audience or the critical respect it so richly deserved. Relegated mostly to the southern drive-in belt, the film was released three times under various titles, all to no avail. But thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay, iconoclastic director Monte Hellman's controversial ode to the savage, masculine blood sport is now given that new chance on DVD. The film's beautiful cinematography, by the ...
See more details below
Available through our Marketplace sellers.
See All Options
Other sellers (DVD)
  • All (2) from $56.98   
  • New (1) from $124.64   
  • Used (1) from $56.98   
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Note: Marketplace items are not eligible for any BN.com coupons and promotions
$124.64
Tankerous Media
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(1600)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

New
013131131895 This item is brand new. Please allow 4 - 14 business days for Standard shipping, within the US. Thank you for supporting our small, family-owned business!

Ships from: ACWORTH, GA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Close
Sort by

More About This Product

Overview

When originally released in 1974 by Roger Corman's New World Pictures, Cockfighter bombed and never had a chance to capture an audience or the critical respect it so richly deserved. Relegated mostly to the southern drive-in belt, the film was released three times under various titles, all to no avail. But thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay, iconoclastic director Monte Hellman's controversial ode to the savage, masculine blood sport is now given that new chance on DVD. The film's beautiful cinematography, by the legendary Nestor Almendros (probably best known for his Oscar-winning work on Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven), is properly aglow and subtle. Whatever grain is in the film (and there's very little picture degradation at all) is due to the film's low budget, not a fault of the superb transfer job. But the two major things going for this disc are the commentary track with Hellman and production assistant Steven Gaydos, and the excellent 54-minute documentary Warren Oates: Across the Border. The commentary track, nicely moderated by Dennis Bartok, is enjoyable and humorous, and gives a better understanding of such a misunderstood film. (It also offers up some rather unsavory anecdotes concerning cockfighting.) Trailers are included, as are talent bios of Hellman, Oates, and the great pulp novelist Charles Willeford, who wrote the original novel and screenplay.
Read More Show Less

Special Features

Audio commentary by director Monte Hellman, Warren Oates: Across the Border, a documentary by Tom Thurman, plus the original theatrical trailer, a TV promotional spot, and radio spots.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Tony Nigro
Although it has done nothing to enhance director Monte Hellman's reputation among animal rights activists, this gritty exploitation of underground cockfighting has pecked out a substantial cult niche for itself. Hellman regular Warren Oates delivers a bravura performance as a rough-and-tumble master cockfighter who, after his big mouth costs him the Cockfighter of the Year award, vows to never speak until he can reclaim the much-coveted championship from rival Harry Dean Stanton. Oates steals the show, expressing himself only through minimal voice-overs and his unmatched charisma. When it comes to his character's unsteady relationships with costars Laurie Bird and Millie Perkins, Oates explores his character's cocky competitiveness as a repression of sexual desire, one of many undercurrents that raise Cockfighter above its assumed stance as a Roger Corman-produced B-flick. Likewise, in a moment mirroring a fight, Oates is attacked in the ring by Bird's character, who is appropriately dressed in rooster red and named "Ms. Bird." But Hellman never forgets the film's exploitation roots, raising the cockfights to the level of spectacle -- a cinematic undertaking that is not for the weak of stomach or politically disinclined.
All Movie Guide - Fred Beldin
"I learned to fly a plane, I lost interest in it. Waterskiing, I lost interest in it. But this is something you don't conquer." The opening of the unique Cockfighter tries to immediately explain the allure of its illicit subject, but the effort is in vain, as the remainder of the film's story showcases an assortment of obsessed men who love and care for their fighting roosters, then send them to violent deaths in order to gamble short money on their fate. Indeed, the final image of the picture finds the hero pulling the head off the rooster that just restored him to cockfighting glory, hardly a man who considers his birds anything more than a means to an end. Adapted by crime writer Charles Willeford from his own novel (he also appeared in the film as the sympathetic referee Ed Middleton), Cockfighter is an interesting treatment of an ugly subject, though the film never establishes a positive or negative attitude. The characters speak often of their prize roosters with admiration and affection, and have high regard for the science and mystery of the sport, though they are all ultimately just gamblers, never sure of the outcome despite hours of training and cross-breeding. The strange ambivalence of Cockfighter is likely due to the fact that director Monte Hellman never felt comfortable with the subject in the first place, and producer Roger Corman felt compelled to add graphic footage of bloody cockfights after production that Hellman was loathe to include. As it turned out, cockfighting is such a secretive, underground activity that even in Southern states where it was legal, most people were embarrassed by the sport and Cockfighter was a commercial failure. Still, the film boasts many fine performances, especially Warren Oates, who melts into the role of Frank Mansfield without uttering a sound (aside from some voice-over narration and a flashback scene). Cockfighter is simultaneously intense and contemplative, an episodic road film that simmers with obsession.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 1/30/2001
  • UPC: 013131131895
  • Original Release: 1974

    • Rating:

  • Source: Starz / Anchor Bay
  • Region Code: 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Alternate Wide Screen (1.77:1)
  • Presentation: Wide Screen / Mono / Dolby 5.1
  • Sound: Dolby Digital, monaural
  • Language: English
  • Time: 1:23:00
  • Format: DVD

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Warren Oates Frank Mansfield
Richard B. Shull Omar Baradinsky
Harry Dean Stanton Jack Burke
Troy Donahue Randall Mansfield
Millie Perkins Frances Mansfield
Laurie Bird Dody White
Patricia Pearcy
Robert Earl Jones
Warren Finnerty
Ed Begley Jr.
Charles Willeford
Technical Credits
Monte Hellman Director
Lee Alexander Sound/Sound Designer
Nestor Almendros Cinematographer
Roger Corman Producer
Michael Franks Score Composer
Samuel W. Gelfman Producer
Lewis Teague Editor
Don Walters Asst. Director
Charles Willeford Screenwriter
Read More Show Less

Scene Index

Side #1 --
0. Chapter Selection
1. Program Start/ Main Titles [1:05]
2. A Man Of Few Words [3:49]
3. Boosting The Odds [3:12]
4. Cockfight [3:59]
5. Hitting The Road [2:18]
6. Frank Shoots His Mouth Off [3:51]
7. Picking A Winner [2:27]
8. "Welcome home, Bubba" [2:23]
9. Old Flame [3:46]
10. Self-Control [3:29]
11. Moving The House [2:18]
12. Chicken Farm [2:53]
13. Partners [4:26]
14. Young Hustler [5:13]
15. Surprise Announcement [4:15]
16. Victory [3:26]
17. Change Of Venue [4:16]
18. Stick-Up [2:34]
19. White Lightning Vs. Little Joe [4:30]
20. Salute [4:25]
21. Senator Foxhall [1:56]
22. The Tournament [4:22]
23. Fight To The Death [4:44]
24. "She love me, Omar" [2:30]
25. End Credits [1:04]
Read More Show Less

Menu

Side #1 --
   Extras
      Trailer
      TV Spot
      Radio Spots
         :60 Spot
         :30 Spot
      Commentary
         Commentary with Director Monte Helman and Production Assistant Stevey Gaydos. M
         Commentary with Director Monte Helman and Production Assistant Stevey Gaydos. M
      Talent Bios
         Monte Hellman
         Charles Willeford
         Warren Oates
      Featurette: Warren Oates: Across The Border (54 mins.)
   Resume
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously