This Is Where Open Range Was Actually Filmed - Looper

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This Is Where Open Range Was Actually Filmed By Corey Hoffmeyer Sept. 14, 2021 11:58 am EST Buena Vista Pictures

There was a time when western films dominated at the box office almost more than any other film type (per Screen Culture). Its popularity swayed from time to time, but up until the 1970s, it was the foundation of Hollywood and created stars like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. "Open Range," which stars Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall, was released in 2003 and attempted to capture the glory days of the old western. By this time, however, audiences had all but abandoned the genre.

Still, for a modern-day western film, "Open Range" did enjoy mild box office success, grossing a little over $68 million worldwide on a budget of only $22 million (according to Box Office Mojo). It was also fairly popular with critics, who praised it for the chemistry between Costner and Duvall, its scenery, and how it captured the classical feel of older westerns (via Rotten Tomatoes).

The film takes place primarily in a small Montana town and has some beautiful scenery. But was the movie actually filmed there? It turns out that Costner, who also directed the film, had to use some Hollywood trickery in this department.

Open Range was filmed in Canada

Buena Vista Pictures

According to AMC, "Open Range" was filmed entirely in Canada, not Montana. This includes places likes Alberta, Morley, and Longview. Interestingly enough, western films like "Unforgiven" were also shot in Longview, so it seems to be a fairly popular place for the genre. Also worth noting is that Kevin Costner decided to have it built from the ground up to make the small Montana town feel more natural. Surely this was not a cheap or easy venture for the crew, but it added to the beautiful scenery of the film.

"Open Range" is not the most popular western ever made, nor is it the most critically acclaimed example of it. However, its slow build, focus on classical western tropes, and the tremendous cast makes it a worthy watch even today. And while it may not have actually filmed in Montana, the fake town that Costner and his crew constructed in Canada is convincing enough even to this day.

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