Sarah Bell

Fantastic television! Lots of twists and turns, a gripping story that’s well acted by the whole cast.

I thought 1883 broke me…. Until the finale of 1923. Tragic and devastatingly beautiful. The depth of the characters, their humanness, their fragility and their strength are expertly crafted. Each of their stories draws you in until you’re so immersed in that world, your reactions to the plot become tangible. I have sobbed and shouted through all of these episodes! The grit and determination of all the male characters makes you root for them but for me, the real treasure of the Yellowstone universe is in the women. Of course, it’s the women who birth and raise the men and in the scene where Alex is in the train carriage with Spencer and the Doctor, the Doctor delivers a wonderful and poignant bit of dialogue about women being able to bear more pain than a man and the miracle of women’s bodies to save their babies in the harshest of circumstances. Of course, this is entirely what we see in each of the Dutton women and of course in Alex, who was too much of a free spirit and too wild to live without her limbs so she spends her last hours sacrificing her strength for her baby, John. The tiny premature baby who defeats all the odds to continue the Dutton line and see the ranch through another few decades. A testimony to his parents extraordinary love story that only we, as the audience, are lucky enough to bear witness too. Oh the wonderful women in these shows, Margaret, Elsa, Cara, Alex, Teonna and Beth, absolute fire brands!! Only the fiercest and most formidable of women last to live and die as Duttons, poor Elizabeth was never going to cut it. Teonna of course wasn’t a Dutton but she’s crucial in the bigger story of the land itself and the story of the native peoples to whom it is eventually and rightfully returned. As much as we love the Duttons, we can’t ever forget that in many ways, they are the anti heroes and it’s Beth, probably the meanest and fiercest of all the Duttons, who orchestrates finally handing the land back to whom it truly belongs. It strikes me too how symbolic the marriage between Kaycee and Monica is in the over arching story, their union cements the partnership of the Dutton’s with the native people of the land and as they are the only ones to stay living on it with their son, Tate, the result of all the stories of the past. 1923, like 1883, was crucial in making the story of Yellowstone the absolute powerhouse of a drama that it is. It’s great as a standalone but once you’ve met the ancestors, you’re so much more invested in the story! Beth and Kaycee may only know the names Elsa and Alex from headstones in the family plot, their stories lost to history. But to us, the lucky viewers, we can gaze through time at a family that becomes more and more epic with each new generation. Much like Elsa’s story, Alex and Spencer’s story will be stamped on my heart for a good while to come. “If shooting stars could speak, that’s what she was like”… and I’m crying again.

This film has no redeeming qualities. It is ludicrously awful, in every way. Unless you really hate yourself, don’t do it.

Everything I want from a rom com. The characters are so well written and loveable, I was invested in their story from the very beginning. How lovely to see characters exploring a love story who aren’t in their twenties. I really hope there’s a second season. I binged this in one day!

Fairy tales for grown ups, I loved the story telling and the intelligence of this film. Multi layered, drawing you in to different times, ideas, philosophies and magic. It was enticing and thought provoking but at its heart, a love story.

I loved this just as much, if not more, than Yellowstone. I could wax lyrical about the amazing scenery, the cast, the story, the script, the heart wrenching sadness and desperation of the plight of the pioneers. I could have knocked some stars off for the white teeth and pristine looks as mentioned by some other reviewers. But how could I possibly when I still loved it so so much? In all honesty, I was so moved by the character of Elsa that I would have given 6 stars if I could. Her story telling is poetic and magical and describes the beauty of life in all its terrifying magnificence, even in tragedy and death. I cried when she called back Sam before leaving him, I cried with her when Ennis died, I even cried for her when her cold nasty Aunt was smacking her around the face in the beginning. I saw in her character all the rawness of emotion that comes with youth and the innocent passion for life that doesn’t last long but burns fiercely in its moment. Her hunger to experience everything without guilt or moderation, bravely overriding insecurities with a shining self confidence and worth and a refusal to conform to societal norms was what made her so endearing. Another reviewer accused Sheridan of giving Elsa disgusting and low morals but I couldn’t disagree more. Elsa epitomised how so many of us saw life when we were young and how many of us wish we could see it now. The relationship with her Father was another thread of beauty running through the story. My heart broke for both of them at the end. I wish I could watch it for the first time again. Isobel May was just awesome.

I just don’t get it. If by “gritty” the makers of this film meant confusing, weird and painful to endure then perhaps it suits the tagline. It seems to be set in some sort of futuristic, alternative medieval Nottingham. The architecture has a strange oriental/Tuscan vibe, the costumes are just as confusing. Seriously, pick a genre, pick a time period, pick a location, pick a style... the cinematography is schizophrenic. The script is poor and lacks substance. The action sequences might have been entertaining if I hadn’t been so distracted by the sheer awfulness of the rest of it. It’s just nuts, but in a Black Sheep/Sharknado way, not a cool Romeo & Juliet way.