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Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
- Ed Begley Jr. Films
- Gambling
- Harry Dean Stanton Films
- Millie Perkins Films
- Monte Hellman Films
- Troy Donahue Films
- Warren Oates Films
Review:
Notable as the only film which lost money for producer Roger Corman, this Monte Hellman-directed movie — based on a novel by screenwriter Charles Willeford — was re-released under various other names (including Born to Kill) but ultimately remains what its title implies: an 83-minute film about cockfighting, a sport which is now illegal across all 50 of the United States (though not in Puerto Rico, where it remains a thriving industry). Your appreciation of this offering will depend on a few factors: 1) how much you enjoy watching Oates turn in an impressive performance despite being limited to just a few lines of speech (in a flashback); 2) how curious you are to see this bloody sport in action (though you could alternatively just watch a short documentary about it on YouTube):
… and/or 3) how much of a Monte Hellman completist you are. Watch for numerous big-name actors in small roles, including Harry Dean Stanton as fellow cockfighter Jack Burke:
… Troy Donahue as Oates’ brother Randy:
… Millie Perkins as Randy’s curler-clad wife:
… and Ed Begley Jr. as a lanky local fighter.
Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:
- Warren Oates as Frank Mansfield
- Nestor Almendros’ cinematography
Must See?
No, unless you’re curious or a Hellman fan. Listed as a Cult Movie in the back of Peary’s book.
Links:
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One thought on “Cockfighter / Born to Kill (1974)”
First viewing (10/8/20). Not must-see.
A rarity; a very specialized film: Who would want to watch a movie about cockfighting?!, except those who have a strange interest in the ‘sport’? Although DP Nestor Almendros (fresh off shooting several sedate Rohmer films) seems to progressively get us in closer and closer to the action, director Hellman tries to tell his story with as much restraint as possible.
Still, once it’s over, you will most likely feel rather icky for having watched it.
The film gets points for including peripheral characterizations of those who are just as scummy as the sport itself. Oates’ role is afforded some additional depth due to the fact that his character has forced himself to go mute. In the supporting cast, Millie Perkins, Troy Donahue (!), Ed Begley Jr. and Steve Railsback are effective even though they’re playing smallish, not-much-to-do parts.