Heathens

6 votes

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Posted on: November 5, 2009

Posted in: Action, Drama, Fiction, Period, Video

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Undoubtedly the world’s first western web series, and one of the few period pieces.

1846, the town of Freedom, Texas, just before Texas joins the Union. A writer arrives in the small village and uncovers a mystery that has the townsfolk reaching for their guns.

The acting is occasionally hammy, which is surprising for a show with this kind of production value. For the most part this seems like a low-budget web version of HBO’s Deadwood. The cast is large and a variety of ages (not something you see every day on web shows), which helps in making this show real. The cinematography is actually quite good (a few under-saturations notwithstanding) as is the set design and the period costumes, but the editing could use tightening up to cut away some dead air, and the sound could benefit from some ADR. The music seems to be instrumental for the most part and that gives it a very real feel. After a while the under-and overacting does distract, and the few truly good actors aren’t on-screen enough to offset this lack.

But if you liked Deadwood and can overlook the flaws and just get into the complex story, you might have a keeper on your hands.