This “thought-provoking” western earned four Oscar nominations and has been lauded by audiences for its historical accuracy and outstanding performances.
Written and directed by Paul Greengrass, News of the World (2020) is set in Texas in 1870 during the Reconstruction Era. Tom Hanks plays Captain Kidd, a Civil War veteran who stumbles upon a bedraggled young girl in the Wild West.
He discovers the girl beside a dead man, along with documents suggesting that Johanna (Helena Zengel) had been brought up by Kiowa Native Americans following the murder of her parents.
It emerges that the US Army had dispatched an agent to escort the girl, however the agent died and she was left abandoned. With nobody willing to help her, Captain Kidd eventually steps in.
As the girl’s family were German immigrants, she has little grasp of English, making it a struggle for the pair to communicate. The film charts their voyage across the Plains towards her remaining family, following the unlikely duo as they travel 400 miles to Castroville, Texas.
Boasting an impressive 89% popcorn meter on Rotten Tomatoes, this is clearly a firm favourite with audiences. One reviewer commented: “Thought provoking and absorbing. Beautifully shot, interesting story and obviously, given the talent on show, superbly acted.
“Not often these sort of non cg shoot-em-up films are made and it’s a pleasure to watch one without them. Hanks shows why he is deservedly paid the big bucks” Another viewer concurred, describing the film as “beautiful in its ability to feel real.”
They added: “Amazing in its ability to share fear. Incredible in how it makes you love the characters. Immeasurable in its feel-good vibes… eventually… A remarkable story about remarkable people doing unremarkable things.”
An IMDb reviewer commended the film for its historical authenticity, writing: “We all love tom Hanks and the little girl actress does such a good job. This is really historically accurate and realistic and I appreciate that. It’s a sweet enjoyable story and not the same old tripe everyone is so used to. People don’t appreciate good story and realistic movies anymore.
“Most people have the attention span of a spoon.. take for instance they think hell on wheels is the best show ever seen, even though it’s a joke writing wise. This was actually well done. It was a bit odd how he didn’t pick up his guns he tossed. And I think the horses disappeared and reappeared in one shot. But me and my family really enjoyed it. Great movie and worth seeing it. Don’t listen to the sexist prejudice people in the reviews.”
News of The World is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
