Hatfields & McCoys

The infamous Hatfield/McCoy feud spanned nearly 30 years, pitting two massive clans against each other in the West Virginia/Kentucky border area. On the heels of the American Civil War, an already tumultuous rivalry between the clans over land and timber came to a boil ― over the ownership of a pig. This is the stuff legends are made of, not to mention it's a fabled story that any filmmaker salivates at the chance to bring to the big screen. Kevin Reynolds' adaptation of this family feud for the History Channel gained critical acclaim, scoring 16 Emmy nominations for the three-part miniseries, Hatfields & McCoys. Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton star as the patriarchs of the two clans, with a notable supporting cast that includes Jena Malone, Tom Berenger, Powers Boothe and Matt Barr. Reynolds takes a historically detailed approach to the events and, more importantly, abstains from judgment, providing an unbiased story that allows the viewer to choose which side they want to root for. This fascinating piece of entertainment blends drama, action and some curious historical tidbits. The pacing of the series is its biggest downfall, as things screech to a painful halt more than once during the 290-minute run-time. Fortunately, the cinematography and art direction make up for the pacing problems, making it easy for viewers to immerse themselves in this period piece. Those unfamiliar with the legendary story will learn a great deal and will undoubtedly walk away with a clear understanding of how the feud started, as well as the violence that punctuated it. Special features on the DVD include a mini-documentary on how this series was made, as well as a music video for "I Know These Hills," featuring Kevin Costner and his little honky-tonk band.