1. In the UK, unlike in the US, it always been common to have single creators known for their ability to generate consistent hi-quality dramas. Steven Moffat comes to mind. He has been creating hits since the 1980s. In the US, the nearest thing we have to a creator of that same quality is Taylor Sheridan. Check out his IMDb bio. Props to him. He has earned it.
2. The incredible success of Yellowstone is not merely about Costner and Sheridan, it could also be considered "The Revenge of the Studio System." Unlike the typical Netflix offering, Yellowstone is old school Hollywood all the way. And it shows. And so is 1883.
3. Sam Elliot is 77 years old and has been playing the same basic character -- perfectly -- for decades. In the UK they would have knighted him by now. Seriously.
Bottom line -- at every level, 1883 represents the best that America has to offer. It is in the DNA. So just enjoy it.
sandcrab27728 December 2021
Yellowstone was a good try in the first season but star kevin costner just doesn't have that chiseled jaw look of a tough guy so it faded dismally, then along comes sam elliott who not only looks and plays the part, he holds the show together while mcgraw and hill waste our time ...i love a good western but this isn't one of them...as soon as i spotted billy bob thornton in the cast, i knew this show would be a loser, just like him ...still looking for a good western.
Xavier_Stone20 December 2021
This is show piggybacking off the successful Yellowstone series by the same writer, director and creator Taylor Sheridan. I love nearly anything he does but this feels off lacking in quality.
The scenery is awesome as one might expect, but it is almost always accompanied by overused narration. It becomes grinding at times and is much longer than necessary. Some talented actors carry the scenes and Tim and Faith are a tough sell in my book.
This is a well financed series and to have these two as leads was a mistake, this needs a proper lead. Perhaps Jeremy Renner would make a better fit here than the dismal Hawkeye series he made instead where his talents are undercut by a teenage girl.
Billy Bob Thornton was needed as another cowboy in the posse instead of just a 5 minute Sheriff scene that goes nowhere.
On top of that this is a 1883 fantasy novel as others have pointed out. Poor research on the cost of living, the absolute naivete of the settlers and the gun play. Sure it was hard, but Taylor is just concentrating on a certain story line without bothering to be accurate to the timeline.
It's watchable, but far from flawless as the initial ratings suggest.
Update, now it has Tim making a crossover appearance in the opening scene of Yellowstone. Basically foreshadowing this entire show and attempting to promote it. Truly sad.
Supermanfan-1320 December 2021
As a big Yellowstone fan I was really looking forward to 1883 and I was not disappointed! Taylor Sheridan has created another hit show! The cast was even better than I thought. I was a little worried about Tim McGraw and Faith Hill but they were both terrific. Sam Elliot was as great as always and Isabel May is a star in the making. For the people complaining about the language and violence...it's a show for adults so relax. I love everything about this show, the acting, writing, directing, production, cinematography, etc are all excellent! I can't wait to see more!
iamjamalwhite21 December 2021
Enjoyed the initial episode. Not enough to get me to pay for plus. The plot moved along and acting was on point. I'm not usually a big western fan but this one has legs. I'll be tracking as we move forward.
yvesdemaria28 December 2021
After the first 3 episodes :
Really really enjoyed them, fully captivated and have already recommended the show to my friends. Good story, interesting characters, beautiful scenery, etc... all top notch
10/10.
horst6920 December 2021
It doesn't need the fake reviews and votes , it's a real shame the marketing department went that way .
Production and writing (!) are pretty decent, the characters are credible for the most part - the young woman is a bit too much - story and subject are interesting and presented well .
I'd give it a good 5/10 - enjoyable enough and possibly rewatchable - if it wasn't for the obvious attempt at massaging the ratings .
jaimemedina-3628827 December 2021
There's not much more to say other than that 1883 is quite simply some of the best television that has ever been produced. From the writing, to the cast, to the cinematography, every minute is a joy to watch.
User Reviews
1. In the UK, unlike in the US, it always been common to have single creators known for their ability to generate consistent hi-quality dramas. Steven Moffat comes to mind. He has been creating hits since the 1980s. In the US, the nearest thing we have to a creator of that same quality is Taylor Sheridan. Check out his IMDb bio. Props to him. He has earned it.
2. The incredible success of Yellowstone is not merely about Costner and Sheridan, it could also be considered "The Revenge of the Studio System." Unlike the typical Netflix offering, Yellowstone is old school Hollywood all the way. And it shows. And so is 1883.
3. Sam Elliot is 77 years old and has been playing the same basic character -- perfectly -- for decades. In the UK they would have knighted him by now. Seriously.
Bottom line -- at every level, 1883 represents the best that America has to offer. It is in the DNA. So just enjoy it.
Yellowstone was a good try in the first season but star kevin costner just doesn't have that chiseled jaw look of a tough guy so it faded dismally, then along comes sam elliott who not only looks and plays the part, he holds the show together while mcgraw and hill waste our time ...i love a good western but this isn't one of them...as soon as i spotted billy bob thornton in the cast, i knew this show would be a loser, just like him ...still looking for a good western.
This is show piggybacking off the successful Yellowstone series by the same writer, director and creator Taylor Sheridan. I love nearly anything he does but this feels off lacking in quality.
The scenery is awesome as one might expect, but it is almost always accompanied by overused narration. It becomes grinding at times and is much longer than necessary. Some talented actors carry the scenes and Tim and Faith are a tough sell in my book.
This is a well financed series and to have these two as leads was a mistake, this needs a proper lead. Perhaps Jeremy Renner would make a better fit here than the dismal Hawkeye series he made instead where his talents are undercut by a teenage girl.
Billy Bob Thornton was needed as another cowboy in the posse instead of just a 5 minute Sheriff scene that goes nowhere.
On top of that this is a 1883 fantasy novel as others have pointed out. Poor research on the cost of living, the absolute naivete of the settlers and the gun play. Sure it was hard, but Taylor is just concentrating on a certain story line without bothering to be accurate to the timeline.
It's watchable, but far from flawless as the initial ratings suggest.
Update, now it has Tim making a crossover appearance in the opening scene of Yellowstone. Basically foreshadowing this entire show and attempting to promote it. Truly sad.
As a big Yellowstone fan I was really looking forward to 1883 and I was not disappointed! Taylor Sheridan has created another hit show! The cast was even better than I thought. I was a little worried about Tim McGraw and Faith Hill but they were both terrific. Sam Elliot was as great as always and Isabel May is a star in the making. For the people complaining about the language and violence...it's a show for adults so relax. I love everything about this show, the acting, writing, directing, production, cinematography, etc are all excellent! I can't wait to see more!
Enjoyed the initial episode. Not enough to get me to pay for plus. The plot moved along and acting was on point. I'm not usually a big western fan but this one has legs. I'll be tracking as we move forward.
After the first 3 episodes :
Really really enjoyed them, fully captivated and have already recommended the show to my friends. Good story, interesting characters, beautiful scenery, etc... all top notch
10/10.
It doesn't need the fake reviews and votes , it's a real shame the marketing department went that way .
Production and writing (!) are pretty decent, the characters are credible for the most part - the young woman is a bit too much - story and subject are interesting and presented well .
I'd give it a good 5/10 - enjoyable enough and possibly rewatchable - if it wasn't for the obvious attempt at massaging the ratings .
There's not much more to say other than that 1883 is quite simply some of the best television that has ever been produced. From the writing, to the cast, to the cinematography, every minute is a joy to watch.