Cockfighter (1974)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Monte Hellman

Writers:

Charles Willeford (novel)
Charles Willeford (screenplay)

Release Date:

August 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

He came into town with his cock in hand, and what he did with it was illegal in 49 states.

Plot:

Southern action drama film about cockfighting.

Plot Keywords:

Medal | Champion | Money | Cockfighting | Rooster

Cast

Warren Oates	...	Frank Mansfield
Richard B. Shull	...	Omar Baradansky
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Jack Burke
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Tom Peeples
Laurie Bird	...	Dody White Burke
Troy Donahue	...	Randall Mansfield
Warren Finnerty	...	Sanders
Robert Earl Jones	...	Buford
Patricia Pearcy	...	Mary Elizabeth
Millie Perkins	...	Frances Mansfield
Steve Railsback	...	Junior
Tom Spratley	...	Mister Peeples
Charles Willeford	...	Ed Middleton
Pete Munro	...	Packard
Kermit Echols	...	Fred Reed
Ed Smith	...	Whipple
Jimmy Williams	...	Buddy Waggoner
John Trotter	...	Hansen
Lois Zeitlin	...	Lucille
Joe Bentley	...	Peach Owen
A.B. Greeson	...	Pete Chocolate
Bob Hannah	...	Deputy sheriff (as Bob Earl Hannah)
Sara Rickman	...	Martha Middleton
Meg Brush	...	Mary Elizabeth's mother
Oliver Coleman	...	Senator Foxhall
Donnie Fritts	...	Gangleader - old man mask
Bobby Dunn	...	Gambler
Kim Bernard	...	Gambler
Ank Carleton	...	Captain Mack
Billy Abbott	...	Referee
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dickey Betts	...	Cigarette mask (uncredited)
Steven Gaydos	...	Nixon mask (uncredited)

Directed by
Monte Hellman

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Charles Willeford		novel "Cockfighter"
Charles Willeford		screenplay

Produced by
Roger Corman	....	producer
Samuel W. Gelfman	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Michael Franks

Cinematography by
Néstor Almendros

Film Editing by
Lewis Teague
Monte Hellman		(uncredited)

Casting by
Michael Chinich
Don Phillips

Art Direction by
Charles L. Hughes		(as Charlie Hughes)
Pat Mann

Production Management
Peter Cornberg	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Don Walters	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Ed Turney	....	props

Sound Department
Lee Alexander	....	sound mixer
Richard Bryce Goodman	....	boom operator
Kendrick Sweet	....	sound effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Laurie Bird	....	still photographer
Leslie Otis	....	first assistant camera
Larry Robertson	....	grip
Tom Skarda	....	best boy
Bill Tharp	....	key grip
Hal Trussell	....	gaffer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Linda Civitello	....	assistant wardrobe
Carol Hammond	....	wardrobe
Patty Shaw	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Hal Harrison	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Leonard Allen	....	location coordinator
Frances Doel	....	script girl
Frances Doel	....	script supervisor (as Frances Kimbrough)
Steven Gaydos	....	production assistant
John Trotter	....	technical advisor
Bob Watkins	....	production assistant
Lois Zeitlin	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Artists Entertainment Complex
• New World Pictures
• Rio Pinto Productions Inc.

Distributors

• New World Pictures (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
• International Film Distributors (1975) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Platinum Disc (1996) (USA) (VHS)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)

Also Known As:

Born to Kill
Gamblin' Man
Wild Drifter

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | UK:(Banned) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Juliette, Georgia, USA

Company:

Artists Entertainment Complex

Trivia:

While trying to come up with an ad campaign to this seemingly unmarketable film, American International's advertising committee came up with this humorous fake tagline: "He came into town with his cock in hand, and what he did with it was illegal in 49 states."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Final Exam (1981)

One of the most extraordinary movies of the 1970s, and further proof that Monte Hellman is one of the most underrated directors of all time.

Being a major fan of American movies of the 1970s 'Cockfighter' has been like a Holy Grail for me for as long as I can remember. When I finally got a hold of a copy I'm happy to say it more than lived up to my expectations. I think it's one of the most extraordinary movies of the decade, and further proof that Monte Hellman is one of the most underrated directors of all time. Hellman, like many other film makers, got his first big break working for Roger Corman, directing 'Beast From Haunted Cave' in the 1950s. He then went on to work on Corman's 'The Terror' alongside Coppola and Jack Hill, and edited the biker classic 'The Wild Angels'. Hellman never became a Hollywood legend like Coppola, or a much loved exploitation cult hero like Jack Hill, and has always had difficulties getting his movies made. Why, I really don't know, just watch 'The Shooting', 'Two-Lane Blacktop' and 'Cockfighter' back to back and tell me that he isn't a major talent. After going their separate ways for some time Corman and Hellman reunited for 'Cockfighter'. Apparently Corman hated the ending and the movie is supposedly one of the very few that lost him money, but I think it's an amazing achievement. The controversial bird fighting sequences are very brutal and very beautiful. Animal lovers will abhor the movie for this reason. The morality of filming them is very problematic, even Hellman admits he was disgusted doing it. Aside from that can of worms 'Cockfighter' features a superb performance from Warren Oates, one of his very best ever, so if you are an Oates fan you MUST try and see this movie! Hellman and Oates worked on four movies altogether, and the supporting cast also includes Harry Dean Stanton and Millie Perkins, who had three Hellman movies apiece, and Laurie Bird who co-starred in 'Two-Lane Blacktop'. On top of that you have some strong performances by a whole bunch of character actors like Warren Finnerty ('Cool Hand Luke'), Ed Begley Jr, Steve Railsback (in one of my favourite scenes) and - one of the biggest surprises - Troy Donahue, who has a memorable cameo as Oates alcoholic brother. Richard B. Shull is great as Oates' partner, as is Patricia Pearcy who plays his love interest. Even Charles Willeford who wrote both the movie script and the original novel it was based on has a great bit as a fight official. 'Cockfighter's explicit fight sequences will repel most people but if you persevere you'll witness some brilliant acting, especially from Warren Oates. 'Cockfighter' has immediately rocketed into my all time favourite movies list.