McCabe & Mrs. Miller

( 12 )

Overview

Memorably described by Pauline Kael as "a beautiful pipe dream of a movie," Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller reimagines the American West as a muddy frontier filled with hustlers, opportunists, and corporate sharks -- a turn-of-the-century model for a 1971 America mired in violence and lies. John McCabe Warren Beatty wanders into the turn-of-the-century wilderness village known as Presbyterian Church, with vague plans of parlaying his gambling winnings into establishing a fancy casino-brothel-bathhouse. ...
See more details below
This VHS is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options

More About This Product

Overview

Memorably described by Pauline Kael as "a beautiful pipe dream of a movie," Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller reimagines the American West as a muddy frontier filled with hustlers, opportunists, and corporate sharks -- a turn-of-the-century model for a 1971 America mired in violence and lies. John McCabe Warren Beatty wanders into the turn-of-the-century wilderness village known as Presbyterian Church, with vague plans of parlaying his gambling winnings into establishing a fancy casino-brothel-bathhouse. McCabe's business partner is prostitute Mrs. Miller Julie Christie, who despite her apparent distaste for McCabe helps him achieve his goal. Once McCabe and Mrs. Miller become successful, the town grows and prospers, incurring the jealousy of a local mining company that wants to buy McCabe out. Filmed on location in Canada, McCabe & Mrs. Miller makes use of such Altman "stock company" performers as Shelley Duvall, René Auberjonois, John Schuck, and Keith Carradine. The seemingly improvised screenplay was based on a novel by Edmund Naughton and the movie features a soundtrack of songs by Leonard Cohen. McCabe & Mrs. Miller joined such other Altman efforts as M*A*S*H, The Long Goodbye, and Thieves Like Us in radically revising familiar movie genres for the disillusioned Vietnam era.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
Deconstructing the Western, Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) defied conventional myth-making with an oblique narrative steeped in Vietnam-era mistrust of American institutions. Shooting on location in Canada on a haphazard set built as filming progressed, Altman upended Western clichés of heroic Progress in an environment that was authentically rough, even as it evoked the muddy mires of Vietnam. Warren Beatty's McCabe was more buffoonish dreamer than powerful gunfighter, while Julie Christie's business-minded hooker Mrs. Miller had a heart of opium; Altman's widescreen zoom shots and soundtrack of overlapping voices and haunting Leonard Cohen songs downplayed McCabe's presence amid peripheral action and characters. The incursion of corporate interests on McCabe's success seems almost incidental, but the sudden eruption of pointless violence and a lawyer's hypocrisy about freedom and sacrifice reveal McCabe's doom. With cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond's grainy, desaturated colors lending the interiors an orange-brown glow that contrasted with the hazy green-gray exteriors, Altman eschewed heroic frontier vistas in favor of a murky, hallucinatory beauty, particularly in McCabe's snowbound, eerily quiet final shoot-out. Confounding viewers with its layered soundtrack and tonal shifts, McCabe & Mrs. Miller failed to catch on; it has since come to be seen as one of the period's best revisionist Westerns and one of the most poetic and elegiac genre revisions of the 1970s.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 8/2/1993
  • UPC: 085391105534
  • Original Release: 1971

    • Rating:

  • Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Warren Beatty John McCabe
Julie Christie Constance Miller
René Auberjonois Sheehan
William Devane Lawyer
Shelley Duvall Ida Coyle
John Schuck Smalley
Corey John Fischer Mr. Elliott
Keith Carradine Cowboy
Graeme Campbell Bill Cubbs
Joe Clarke Joe Shortreed
Jackie Crossland Lily
Robert Fortier Town Drunk
Don Francks Buffalo
Lili Francks Mrs. Washington
Harry Frazier Andy Anderson, Sheehan's People
Rodney Gage Summer Washington
Wayne Grace Bartender
Tom Hill Archer
Antony Holland Hollander
Maisie Hoy Maisie
J.S. Johnson J.J.
Terence Kelly Quigley
Elizabeth Knight Birdie
Claudine Melgrave Townsperson
Hugh Millais Butler
Elizabeth Murphy Kate
Michael Murphy Sears
Jeremy Newson Jeremy Berg
Bert Remsen Bart Coyle
Jack Riley Riley Quinn
Gordon Robertson Townsperson
Wayne Robson Bartender
Eric Schneider Townsperson
Manfred Shulz Kid
Linda Sorenson Blanche
Jace Vander Veen Breed
Janet Wright Eunice
Technical Credits
Robert Altman Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Mitchell Brower Producer
Ed Butterworth Makeup
Leonard Cohen Score Composer
Bob Eggenweiler Associate Producer
Leon Ericksen Production Designer
David Foster Producer
Robert Jiras Makeup
Albert J. Locatelli Art Director
Lou Lombardo Editor
Brian McKay Screenwriter
Phyllis Newman Makeup
Philip Thomas Art Director
Tommy Thompson Asst. Director
William Thompson Sound/Sound Designer
Marcel Vercoutere Special Effects
Vilmos Zsigmond Cinematographer
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 12 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(8)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(2)

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
Sort by: Showing all of 12 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Wonderful Movie Filmed in Cypress Bowl, Vancouver BC Canada

    When this movie was made, the Cypress Bowl ski area in West Vancouver did not exist. The only access was a steep wandering logging road. The town existed for filming was located underneath what was later filled to create the ski area parking lot. From the opening vista showing West Point Grey and the University of BC off in the distance (how did they remove the city lights?), to the heavy rain and snow, the conditions of moutain life are accurately reflected. As with so many films, a lovely Canadian location has been selected, only to pretend to be located in the USA. All in all, the story, the location and Cohen's music make this a film that one never forgets.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    An Authentic Gem

    Set in a NW Canadian mining village, the hallmark of this film is authenticity. The set was built as real timber frame cabins, and the crew lived in them during preparation and film. The bad weather sequences were shot in bad weather, and there is mud everywhere. A real steam traction engine, real horse freight wagons in their own setting (although I winced when some clown stopped a loaded wagon on a steep grade - the horses would never have got going again). Got to mention the music - haunting and SOOOO atmospheric. Along with the setting, the characters were real and the plot completely believeable. Makes me think each time I re-run it. I note that reviews either have five stars or one - let's just say it's a thinking person's Western.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best Western Ever Made

    As a historical study, this is a refreshing look at the Old West. This movie is an inspired look at the Old West as it really was. A true gem.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Retort to 10/24 review

    Never post on these boards, but that comment (10/24) needs to be dealt with. As the brilliant the Roger Ebert pointed out, the movie is titled McCabe & Mrs. Miller, like a business. Not McCabe and Mrs. Miller as in a couple. Hence, there no relationship (beyond the ''paid variety'') between them like the one you seem to have wanted to develop. Regardless of that, how dare you call a movie this evocative, horrible! Gorgeous film, proving yet again the utter brilliance of Altman.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Stealth Anti-Drug Movie

    I saw McCabe & Mrs. Miller when it was first released and I was attending the University of Hawaii and living on the fringes of the 60's drug culture. For me, at least, the tragic image of McCabe dying in the snow while Mrs Miller was getting high was the strongest anti-drug statement I'd ever seen. Probably saved me from a wasted life.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Altman's Masterpiece

    A masterpiece. Altman shows what the real west was like. The ensemble cast is exceptional. Zsigmond's cinematography perfectly captures the mood (all of the film stock was ''flashed'' so that it would have a texture and an amber patina throughout.) The use of an open mic adds layers of sound and conversations which the viewer can concentrate on. Leonard Cohen's soundtrack is perfect.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great

    At last, a movie of substance from USA. Superb detail, haunting setting, the real world. A must for any 'western' fan

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Haunting

    A very memorable film with a beautiful, haunting soundtrack of Leonard Cohen songs. The ''anti-Western'' that feels much more realistic than any Western ever made.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    One of Altman's Classics

    This movie is brought to you by the same mind that gave us M.A.S.H., Nashville, Buffalo Bill & the Indians (not a box office biggie but I loved it because legends are wrenched back to reality right in your face) Come Back to the 5 & 10..., Gosford Park, & Prairie Home Companion. With Altman, it's not about what the audience thinks SHOULD happen...it's about what the characters hope will happen and what, ultimately, does happen. The human condition is always at play and the unexpected is always right around the corner. If you aren't taken with this movie the first time...maybe see a couple of Altman's others and then come back. I love Altman and I love this movie.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Horrible

    The plot of this movie was so underwritten! As soon as you TRY to get into the movie, it ends distastefully. What a let-down! There should've been more of a relationship with MacCabe and Mrs. Miller, hence the title.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Boring

    This movie put me to sleep. Between Warren Beaty's mubblling the same dumb aphorisms over and over and the washed out ''Paint your Wagon'' set, I was lost 15 minutes into the thing.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 3, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 12 Customer Reviews