HANNAH’S LAW


US, 2012, 88 minutes, Colour.
Sara Canning, John Pyper- Ferguson, Greyston Holt, Ryan Kennedy, Kimberly Elise, Billy Zane, Danny Glover.
Directed by Rachel Talalay.

This is the story of a rather wild West. Young Hannah sees her family killed – although she does not know that her brother survived and was taken by the gang and brought up to be one of their members, confronting her. She keeps law and order in the western town with the help of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.

She is a successful bounty hunter but does not kill those for whom she is searching, but brings them in. The killer of her family, Mc Murphy, decides to pursue her before she pursues him and there is a confrontation where she is helped by her lawmaker friends.

The film re-creates life in a Western frontier town, ordinary citizens, the law, the saloons as well as the confrontations and shootouts.

1. A 21st century look at the American west, Kansas? A look at bounty hunters? A look at Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday? In continuity with previous Earp and holiday films?

2. A modest Canadian production? Cast, locations? An attractive-looking west?

3. The opening, Mc Murphy and his gang, confronting the Beaumont family, the father refusing to give the horses, his being shot, the mother, Hannah and her hiding, witnessing what happened, hearing the shot and assuming her brother was killed? The cruel irony at the end that her brother was taken away to become an outlaw?

4. 12 years later, Hannah and her becoming a bounty hunter? Her capture of the man, shrewdness in coming behind him, taking him by horse, handing him over to authority for justice, the bounty money? Going to the orphanage where she grew up, talking to the manager, giving her the money, no information to be given about it?

5. Hannah, her age, her experience, her decision for justice, not to kill the criminals, but to bring them in alive?

6. Wyatt Earp, young, deputy, his attraction towards Hannah, inviting her to the meal, her refusal, her privacy?

7. Stagecoach Mary, a black rider in the west? Her being saved by Hannah? Bringing her the gift, in the saloon, the drinks, the dress? Her wanting to bring Earp and Hannah together? Hannah agreeing to wear the dress, to have dinner with Earp? The talk, the dinner interrupted?

8. Wyatt Earp as an upright citizen, young man, respected, promotion?

9. Doc Holliday, young, gambling, threats and accusations of cheating, his handling of situations? Hannah and the attraction, the night with him? Mary’s reaction?

10. Mc Murphy, contact with Stitch, hearing about Hannah, deciding to pursue her? The issue of Isom Dart?

11. Stitch, shooting his victim, claiming the money? The clash with Hannah? His following her, coming up on Dart? Her turning the tables on him? Dart getting away?

12. Dart, his training Hannah? Black? Leaving, the situation with the dead authority and his being accused of murder? Talking with Hannah, getting away? Coming to Dodge City, to defend Hannah, his success but his being shot?

13. Stitch, the confrontation, Mc Murphy, the confrontation in the town? Hannah using her wits? Stitches death? Earp shooting Mc Murphy, nick Murphy telling Hannah about her brother, her wanting to know the truth? Upset?

14. Earp, going to Tombstone, Doc Holliday and his decision to go? Hannah and her staying in the town, the prospect of her searching for her brother?

15. And different perspectives on experiences in Dodge City?