Long before Kevin Costner became synonymous with the sweeping ranch drama of Yellowstone, he cut his teeth on a Western that has since become a fan favourite.
Silverado, released in 1985, brought together an ensemble cast and a modern spin on the Golden Age Western style. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, best known for writing Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Empire Strikes Back, the film was conceived as both a love letter to and a revival of the classic Hollywood Western.
Costner, then an emerging actor, played the wild and energetic Jake, a role that allowed him to show a lighter, more playful side compared to the grittier characters he would embody later in his career.
The film is often recognised as one of Costner’s standout early performances, and its reputation has endured. On IMDb, Silverado has even been crowned the top of a fan-compiled ranking of the best films of the genre that were released in the 80s – a list that has drawn over 5,700 views from moviegoers.
What sets Silverado apart is the strength of its ensemble. Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, and Danny Glover starred alongside Costner, while Brian Dennehy brought menace to the role of corrupt sheriff Cobb. The film also featured John Cleese in an out-of-character performance as a lawman, and Linda Hunt as the warm-hearted innkeeper Stella.
For many viewers, this mixture of actors and tones has kept the film alive in popular memory. As one fan put it on Rotten Tomatoes: “I love it. The characters. The setting. The adventure. The drama. It’s an actor’s paradise. Everyone came to the show with a little something extra, especially Linda Hunt, who adds more charm and grace to the movie than they probably thought they’d get. »
« And let’s not mention, the ever present sinister smile of Brian Dennehy who owns the screen with every shot. Westerns aren’t generally my thing, but this one really stuck with me over the decades. It’s my go to when I just need good story telling.”
Others were quick to point out the calibre of the cast across the board, with another reviewer noting: “All of the actors were top notch. Kevin Kline did quite well though the genre may have been out of his comfort zone. John Cleese was even good in his limited role. Watching a young Costner was fun.”
For some, the film represented the last of its kind – a throwback to the heyday of Westerns made with the polish of modern filmmaking. One fan wrote: “One of the last great traditional westerns if not THE last one. The best way to describe this is this is a 50’s Golden Era style western made in the 80’s. »
« The music is amazing and is the best thing easily. The cinematography is really good with amazing sweeping shots and landscapes that rival John Ford.”
While Silverado was not a runaway box office hit upon release, it has grown steadily in reputation and is now regularly revisited by fans of the genre. For Costner, Silverado proved a pivotal stepping stone. Just five years later, he would direct and star in Dances with Wolves, which earned him Academy Awards and solidified his role as a leading figure in modern Westerns.
Silverado is available to watch on Netflix and Apple TV.
