# Hell or High Water

> 2016 film directed by David Mackenzie

**Wikidata**: [Q20026847](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20026847)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_or_High_Water_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hell-or-high-water

## Summary
Hell or High Water is a 2016 American heist crime drama film directed by David Mackenzie. The film follows two brothers who carry out a series of bank robberies to save their family ranch from foreclosure.

## Key Facts
- Directed by David Mackenzie, released in 2016
- Genre: heist film, crime film, drama film
- Country of origin: United States
- Production company: CBS Films
- IMDb ID: tt2582782
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 97%
- Metacritic score: 88/100
- Runtime: 102 minutes
- Budget: $12 million
- Box office gross: $35 million
- Screenplay by Taylor Sheridan
- Stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges
- Nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 40 language editions

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Hell or High Water?**
The film follows Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and his ex-con brother Tanner (Ben Foster) as they rob branches of the Texas Midlands Bank to prevent foreclosure on their family ranch. They are pursued by Texas Rangers Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his partner Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham).

**Who directed and wrote Hell or High Water?**
The film was directed by Scottish filmmaker David Mackenzie, known for Starred Up and Outlaw King. The screenplay was written by Taylor Sheridan, who also wrote Sicario and Wind River.

**What awards and nominations did the film receive?**
Hell or High Water received four Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges), Best Film Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. It also won Best Film at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards.

**Where was Hell or High Water filmed?**
The film was shot on location in New Mexico, standing in for West Texas. Principal photography took place in various locations including Clovis, Portales, and Santa Rosa.

**What is the significance of the film's title?**
The title "Hell or High Water" is an idiom meaning "no matter what happens" or "whatever the difficulty," reflecting the brothers' determination to save their family ranch despite the obstacles they face.

## Why It Matters
Hell or High Water matters as a critically acclaimed modern Western that revitalized the heist genre with its nuanced characters and social commentary. The film explores themes of economic hardship, family loyalty, and the changing American West, resonating with audiences during the post-recession era. Its success demonstrated that mid-budget adult dramas could still find commercial and critical success in an era dominated by franchise blockbusters. The film's authentic portrayal of rural Texas and its complex characters elevated it beyond typical genre conventions, earning comparisons to classic Westerns while addressing contemporary issues like bank foreclosures and economic inequality.

## Notable For
- Critically acclaimed screenplay by Taylor Sheridan
- Four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture
- Jeff Bridges' acclaimed supporting performance
- Authentic West Texas setting and atmosphere
- Successful blend of heist thriller and modern Western elements
- Exploration of economic hardship and family dynamics
- Strong performances from Chris Pine and Ben Foster
- David Mackenzie's distinctive directorial style
- Commercial success on a modest $12 million budget
- Cultural commentary on American banking and rural decline

## Body
### Production and Development
Hell or High Water was produced by CBS Films with a production budget of $12 million. The screenplay was written by Taylor Sheridan, who had previously written the critically acclaimed Sicario. The project was developed independently before being picked up for distribution. Principal photography took place in New Mexico during the summer of 2015, with the state standing in for West Texas locations. The film's production design authentically captured the look and feel of rural Texas, from the small-town banks to the vast desert landscapes.

### Creative Team
The film was directed by David Mackenzie, a Scottish filmmaker known for his character-driven dramas. Mackenzie's previous works include Starred Up (2013) and Perfect Sense (2011). The screenplay was written by Taylor Sheridan, who has become known for his neo-Western crime dramas. Sheridan also wrote and directed Wind River (2017) and created the TV series Yellowstone. The film was produced by Sidney Kimmel, Carla Hacken, Julie Yorn, and Julie Monroney.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Chris Pine as Toby Howard, a divorced father trying to provide for his two sons. Ben Foster plays Tanner Howard, Toby's ex-con older brother who helps with the heists. Jeff Bridges portrays Marcus Hamilton, a soon-to-retire Texas Ranger pursuing the brothers. Gil Birmingham plays Alberto Parker, Hamilton's Native American-Mexican partner. The supporting cast includes Marin Ireland as Toby's ex-wife, Katy Mixon as Jenny Ann, and Margaret Bowman as the diner waitress.

### Critical Reception
Hell or High Water received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 97% approval rating based on 293 reviews, with an average rating of 8.4/10. The critical consensus reads: "Hell or High Water offers a solidly crafted, well-acted Western heist thriller that eschews mindless gunplay in favor of confident pacing and full-bodied characters." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 88 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim."

### Box Office Performance
The film had a limited release on August 12, 2016, before expanding to a wide release. It grossed $26.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $8.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $35.3 million. This represented a strong return on its $12 million production budget, particularly for an adult-oriented drama in the modern marketplace.

### Awards and Recognition
Hell or High Water received numerous awards and nominations. It earned four Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Screenplay for Taylor Sheridan. The film won Best Film at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards and received nominations from the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Jeff Bridges won Best Supporting Actor awards from several critics' associations.

### Themes and Analysis
The film explores multiple themes including economic hardship, family loyalty, and the changing American West. The story is set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath, with the brothers' bank robberies serving as both a desperate measure to save their family ranch and a form of revenge against the institutions they blame for their economic struggles. The film also examines the decline of rural America and the tension between traditional Western values and modern economic realities.

### Cinematic Style
David Mackenzie's direction emphasizes character development and atmospheric tension over action spectacle. The film features wide landscape shots that emphasize the vastness of West Texas, contrasted with intimate character moments. The cinematography by Giles Nuttgens captures the harsh beauty of the desert environment. The score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis provides a haunting, minimalist accompaniment that enhances the film's Western atmosphere.

### Cultural Impact
Hell or High Water has been recognized as a significant entry in the modern Western genre, successfully updating classic Western themes for contemporary audiences. The film's exploration of economic inequality and its sympathetic portrayal of characters driven to crime by financial desperation resonated with audiences during a time of ongoing economic uncertainty. It has been cited as an example of how mid-budget adult dramas can still find both critical and commercial success when executed with skill and authenticity.

### Distribution and Release
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2016 as part of the Un Certain Regard section. It received a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 12, 2016, before expanding to a wide release on August 19. The film was distributed by CBS Films in North America and Lionsgate internationally. It was later released on home video and streaming platforms, where it continued to find audiences.

### Related Works
Hell or High Water is part of a wave of neo-Western crime films that emerged in the 2010s, including Sicario, Wind River, and No Country for Old Men. These films share thematic elements of moral ambiguity, economic hardship, and the changing American frontier. The film's screenwriter, Taylor Sheridan, has become a prominent voice in this genre, with his works often exploring similar themes of justice, family, and economic struggle in the modern West.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582782/)
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. The Movie Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. Hell or High Water. Rotten Tomatoes
7. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582782/releaseinfo)
8. BBC Things
9. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=hellorhighwater.htm)
10. Kinopoisk
11. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/hell-or-high-water-2016)
12. Entertainment Identifier Registry
13. [Source](http://mkrf.ru/registr/detail.php?ID=185913516)
14. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=263459)
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20. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
21. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/CatalogoICAA/info/192416/1/34/209.pdf)
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27. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAADNKAAC)
28. Danish Film Database
29. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=400896)
30. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/5EE2A0B9004FC762)
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