THE GUNRUNNER

US, 1984, 92 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Costner, Sara Botsford.
Directed by Nardo Castillo.

The Gunrunner is a small-budget, complicated thriller which is not particularly gripping. It is a gangster melodrama and relies on audience appreciation of the genre. Made in Canada in 1984, its release was held up until its star, Kevin Costner, had made an impact in such films as The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham and Field of Dreams.

The film is set in the '20s, Costner is a gunrunner seeking guns for the Chinese Rebellion. When he returns home, he becomes involved with bootlegging smugglers.

The film was directed by Nardo Castillo and has a supporting cast of local actors who are not internationally known. The film is interesting only as an oddity in Kevin Costner's career.

1. A thriller? Gangster melodrama? Gunrunning internationally? Bootlegging?

2. The production history of the film, its lack of release, reliance on its star's emerging reputation, video release?

3. The Canadian setting, the atmosphere of the '20s, period decor and costumes? The town, its way of life? The wealthy aspects of the town? The background of bootlegging? The musical score?

4. Kevin Costner as Ted, the quality of his performance, screen presence (in the light of his subsequent career)? The arrival, dream, home and his brother? The Chinese Rebellion, the Chinese deals? Contacts? The bar owner? Money? His cousin and the bootlegging? Politics, the family? Action and violence, danger? The kidnapping? The rivalries? The arms, the liquor? A violent world?

5. Portrait of George, brother, women, the bootlegging?

6. The cousin and his power, the abduction?

7. The relevance of the themes of politics and wealth, art? The background to this kind of film? Style, content, Kevin Costner?