Blucher One of the worst movies I've ever seen

GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

SenjoorMutt 'Cockfighter' didn't get much love upon it's release and it hasn't gathered it till today probably because it is not an easy watch, mainly because the back story is about cockfights (like the title assumes), and they are pretty gruesome scenes (especially if animal cruelty is something you can't tolerate, and especially if you are very fond of cocks). Though 'Cockfighter' is about cockfights, its main focus is on Frank Mansfield (Warren Oates in one of his best roles), and his struggles to get back into the top game and mainly his inner conflicts - he loves and as it seems, he hates the bloody sport. But winning again is getting his pride back. Warren Oates manages to show so much and create such a deep and disturbed character mainly with silence (Frank Mansfield decided to stop talking after his big mouth got him into big troubles). It's amazing how much sympathy a character dealing with such a vile entertainment can grow. Superb performance by Oates, supported by great cast, Monte Hellman's subtle direction mixed with Charles Willeford's sharp script and minimalistic, but effective cinematography, 'Cockfighter' is heartbreaking, heartwarming and disgusting at the same time.

Equimanthorm Unlike everyone here (except one) one of the best parts of this movie is the cockfighting scenes. Cockfighting is a truly amazing thing. Unfortunately, if you don't know how to follow it, it just looks like two birds flailing. Here the director films in perfect slow motion a real cockfight and you see the intelligent strategic way roosters fight. They duck each others attacks and counter attack and fight from the bottom. People need to get over themselves and realize that poultry chickens (the ones you eat) live much worse lives then these gamecock, so enjoy it for what it is, an amazing display of real nature! This movie, besides the cockfighting, is also brilliant. The silent main character puts on a hell of a performance without saying a word. All the praise for the actual movie has already been said here, I just wanted to emphasize that in fact one of the best parts of this movie is that its probably the only place you'll ever see one any film cockfighting with any respect for whats actually going on. In short clips in news or TV about cockfighting, theyll film it from far away so you cant actually understand whats going on. Its almost as if they're afraid if people actually could see the action they might actually enjoy it. Everyone who hates cockfighting will hate it even more if you see it up close. For those with an open mind, see what its all about.

Infofreak 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.

smegthat "Cockfighter" is not an easy movie. It doesn't have one of those carbon-copy scripts that you can write like cheap romance novels. It doesn't have characters that cater to what the stars think will make them look good. There is no spoon-feeding here.Just re-released for sale on tape (and DVD), this film is now available again for those who like to watch a movie that honestly takes you someplace that few of us have ever been. Warren Oates plays a character who lives by a moral code much like the people in the pulp westerns and detective stories -- a man's honor is shown by his actions, and his willingness to see his convictions through to whatever end may come. After letting his pride destroy his chance of winning a high honor amongst cockfighters, he takes a vow of silence that will last until he earns that honor.While the scenes of actual cockfights can be distressing, they are essential to showing the viewer the main character's struggle as well as his obsession. When the character's love interest is added to the equation, the story takes on an epic quality formerly reserved for tales of a knight trying to win the love of his lady and the respect of his peers.Perhaps that may be giving the film too much credit, but I don't think so. While there are plenty of exploitational elements to draw a wide audience, the actual meat of the film is a man seeking redemption and honor.Find this movie. Watch it. Enjoy it. And see if it doesn't stick in your mind a heck of a lot longer than the average contemporary "Hollywood" movie.