Winchester

Author: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

"Winchester"

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Written by M. Night Shyamalan
Music by Ennio Morricone
Produced by Wes Craven

Principal Cast:

Robert De Niro - Oliver Winchester
Meryl Streep - Jane Winchester
George Clooney - William Wirt Winchester
Ellen Barkin - Sarah Lockwood Winchester
Paul Bettany - Benjamin Tyler Henry
Scarlett Johansson - Cora Hatch
M. Night Shyamalan - Dr. Caldwell

Tagline: "If you build, we will leave"

Synopsis: In 1866, Oliver Winchester re-designed and manctured the (Benjamin Tyler) Henry repeating rifle, to which would become the popular Winchester repeating rifle. Little did he know, his monumental "gun that won the west" would turn into the family curse. Seeking guidance from famed spiritualist Cora Hatch, now-widowed heiress to the Winchester company Sarah Lockwood Winchester must keep the curse at bay. Moving out west and purchasing the home of Dr. Caldwell, she must keep the newly acquired house under constant construction, or the spirits brought to death by the Winchester rifle will make sure she will meet her end after it has already taken the lives of her husband, newborn baby and father in-law.

What the press would say:

When we think of M. Night Shyamalan, we think of suprise endings and unthinkable plot twists. With Winchester he has finally expanded his cinematic range into a new universe of dramatic emotion. He has knocked on that door with his recent dark fable Lady In The Water, and now has shot it down with Winchester. A brilliant period piece biopic about the creation of the first repeating rifle and the concequences it brings to the rifleman and his family. This is indeed Shyamalan's best film since The Sixth Sense. Not since Cape Fear has Robert De Niro buried himself into a role of fierce determination as the driven Oliver Winchester. Not to be outdone is Scarlett Johansson in a brilliant supporting role as spiritualist Cora Hatch. She channels Blithe Spirit's Madame Arcati, adds some spice and flair and what you get is an unforgettable performance. Last but not least is an inspired and career outting for Ellen Barkin. Finally a role she can sink her teeth into. From hopeful and optomistic to completely doomed and insane, her Sarah Lockwood Winchester is a shoe-in for Best Actress at this years Oscars. There's no suprise here, M. Night Shyamalan has given us another gem.

Best Picture
Best Director - M. Night Shyamalan
Best Actor - Robert De Niro
Best Actress - Ellen Barkin
Best Supporting Actor - George Clooney
Best Supporting Actress - Scarlett Johansson
Best Original Screenplay - M. Night Shaymalan
Best Score - Ennio Morricone
Best Cinematography - Tak Fujimoto
Best Editing
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design