Mark Kermode reviews Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 - Kermode and Mayo's Take

Rarely get films like this these days and that alone makes me want to see it

Just saw it with my son and daughter and we loved every minute of the 3 hours! We look forward to part 2.

This is a sprawling, old fashioned Western with a heightened sense of reality. Costner really knows how to do the subject matter right. Equal parts historical fact and authenticity, and dramatic and sometimes horrific storytelling. It was a rough period during the country’s evolution, and he doesn’t shy away from it. Chapter One is setting the story in motion, with lots of different characters and individual storylines that you just know will converge at some point in varying degrees as the story moves along. I didn’t expect to see a typical “beginning to end” kind of movie in this one episode. He’s taking his time, and I loved it. Right up my alley.

Hi both. Am a long time listener without ever commenting, but just wanted to say how much joy your insights bring. Found myself smiling throughout. Long may it continue

Dances...wolves, hit big with me mostly for all the First Nations actors getting some attention. As a Canuck, I think the world should know Graham Green.

I saw this on Monday night at an Unlimited screening, not having seen a trailer beforehand, but knowing the basic idea. Took a few minutes to get into it, but I was eventually swept along by the story threads and characters, and the amazing landscapes. I don't really know too much about this period of America, so I found it really interesting, and am looking forward to watching the 2nd chapter in August. Although I really didn't like the random montage at the end showing stuff from the next film - it took a while to realise that it was basically a trailer stuck on the end!

Brilliant film loved it. Roll on part 2

I was surprised that it wasn't shot in widesceen in order to better appreciate the western landscape vista.

I’m in. Im fine with something that takes its time to tell the story. What I heard was “well constructed” sections - and I’m good with set up. Pumped! (American here).

It's Costner's love for American westerns. I hope it's good.

I love Mark Kermode - even more so because I respect his opinions, but don't always share them. Horizon Chapter I for me was outstanding.

Nice to see a movie for adults. No cartoons, no comic books, no zombies...

With a budget reported to be upwards of $100M (probably shared a lot with the 2nd film that's hitting in August), I'm not banking on this rolling in the numbers to make that profitable. This seems like it should've been a big mini-series instead of releasing two films like seven weeks apart. I get Costner's ambition, but it is a big gamble that could come up short. The weekend box office projections are at $10-12M domestically. This is not a judgment on whether it's good or not, but just that the appetite might not be as big for this as he's hoping. Maybe it ends up having legs, but the US box office is getting competitive, finally.

The only ad I've seen for this movie said, "See it on the biggest screen possible" so they're clearly pushing the "don't wait for TV" line.

I'm going to go and see it, but can't persuade my wife. I do love westerns though!

Just went to see it today. Outstanding cinematography. Excellent movie.

I’m going! Let’s go!!

Thought it was excellent…loved it! Can’t wait for part 2 ! I think you both are a bit off the mark..giddy up.

It was great. The haunting music made me feel a lot of the scenes. The characters show how tough it was to live and work hard during those days.

Loved it! Unfortunately I was one of two people in my screening.