Watch The Claim

The movie The Claim from 2000 is a western drama film directed by Michael Winterbottom. The movie is set in the 19th century in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where a group of prospectors discovers a gold vein. The movie revolves around the story of a man named Dillon (Peter Mullan) who has been living in the town of Kingdom Come for over two decades. Dillon is the leader of the small town and has made a home for himself with his daughter, Hope (Sarah Polley). Kingdom Come is a rough place with saloons, brothels, and opium dens.

However, Dillon's idyllic life is about to be shattered when a surveyor named Dalglish (Wes Bentley) comes to the town. Dalglish is on a mission to build a railroad through the mountains and he needs to survey the area. While working, he discovers that the small town of Kingdom Come is sitting on a gold mine. The news of the discovery of gold in Kingdom Come spreads quickly and soon a swarm of people arrives, including the ruthless and wealthy businessman, Mr. McCaleb (Kevin Spacey).

McCaleb is a ruthless and cunning businessman who is determined to get his hands on the gold mine in Kingdom Come at any cost. He tries to convince Dillon to sell him the town, but Dillon refuses, knowing that if he sells the town, he will lose everything he loves.

Dalglish, on the other hand, is charmed by Hope, and the two start a brief romantic affair. Hope becomes pregnant with Dalglish's child, which complicates things even further.

The movie is set against a beautiful but harsh landscape, and the characters are complex and multi-dimensional. The director takes a unique approach by showing the harsh realities of life in the 19th century, including racism, sexism, and violence, without glorifying or romanticizing it. The grittiness of the characters and their environment is emphasized, making the story all the more visceral and realistic.

The performances in the movie are strong. Peter Mullan delivers an excellent performance as Dillon, a man who has lived a hard life and is determined to protect what he has built, even if it means going up against powerful men like McCaleb. Wes Bentley also gives a solid performance as Dalglish, a man whose loyalties are torn between his duty as a surveyor and his feelings for Hope.

Overall, The Claim is a powerful and thought-provoking movie, which offers a unique perspective on life in the 19th century. The film features a gripping storyline, strong performances, and stunning cinematography, making it a must-watch for fans of westerns and dramas alike.

The Claim is a 2000 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 62.