Watch Unbranded

Unbranded is a 2015 documentary film about four friends who travel from Mexico to Canada on horseback, with 16 wild mustangs they trained themselves. The movie follows Ben Masters, a young Texas horsemen, and his team of fellow cowboys, as they embark on an epic adventure. The film was directed by Phillip Baribeau and written by Ben Masters, Phillip Baribeau, and Dennis Aig.

The movie begins with Ben Masters, a Texas A&M graduate and horseman, telling his friends Jonny Fitzsimons, Thomas Glover, and Ben Thamer about a plan he has had since college. He wants to journey across the United States with a group of wild mustangs, to raise awareness about the plight of these majestic animals. After years of planning and preparation, the group sets out from the deserts of Arizona, through Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado before reaching their final destination in the Canadian Rockies.

Throughout the film, we see the team face numerous challenges - from treacherous terrain to inclement weather, from injured horses to encounters with bear and other wildlife. They cross raging rivers, scale steep mountain passes, and traverse hundreds of miles of unforgiving wilderness. Along the way, they meet local ranchers, Native American communities, and conservationists. They also encounter the harsh realities of the American West, including overgrazed rangelands, disappearing wildlife, and wild horses and burros being rounded up and removed from the land.

The cinematography in Unbranded is breathtaking, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the American West. The film captures the vast expanses of the desert, the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the rolling hills of the high plains, and the rushing waters of the Snake and Yellowstone Rivers. The camera work is especially impressive during the horseback riding sequences, which are shot from various angles and heights, giving viewers a sense of the riders' speed and proximity to the terrain.

The soundtrack of the film is also excellent, featuring a mix of country and indie rock tunes that perfectly capture the mood and tone of the journey. The original score by Andrew Joslyn is particularly noteworthy, adding a sense of grandeur and majesty to the film's most awe-inspiring scenes.

The documentary is also noteworthy for the way it highlights the issues facing the American West. The movie touches on topics ranging from wild horse management to public land use, from endangered species protection to rural sustainability. It also features interviews with experts and advocates on these subjects, including wild horse activist Ginger Kathrens and ecologist Dan Flores.

Perhaps the most striking feature of Unbranded, however, is the bond that develops between the riders and their horses. Throughout the journey, we see the four cowboys grow increasingly attached to their equine companions, calling them by name, cooing to them, and even singing to them. The horses, in turn, seem to take pride in their work, sensing when to slow down or speed up, or when to avoid danger. As the film progresses, we see the riders and horses develop a deep sense of mutual trust and respect, culminating in touching scenes of farewell at the end of the journey.

Overall, Unbranded is a compelling documentary that combines stunning cinematography, a great soundtrack, and thought-provoking subject matter. The film successfully portrays the beauty and challenges of the American West, as well as the bond between humans and animals. It also raises important questions about conservation, sustainability, and animal welfare. As such, it is a must-see for anyone interested in horses, the American West, or environmental issues.

Unbranded is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 64.