# The Power of the Dog

> 2021 film directed by Jane Campion

**Wikidata**: [Q85323337](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q85323337)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_the_Dog_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-power-of-the-dog

## Summary
The Power of the Dog is a 2021 film directed by Jane Campion, based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage. It is a psychological drama set in 1920s Montana, exploring themes of masculinity, repression, and family dynamics.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Jane Campion, her first feature film in 12 years since 2009's Bright Star
- Based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Thomas Savage
- Released on September 2, 2021, at the 78th Venice International Film Festival
- Distributed by Netflix, with a limited theatrical release on November 17, 2021
- Premiered on Netflix on November 17, 2021
- Runtime: 126 minutes
- Budget: $39 million
- Box office: $39.6 million
- Produced by See-Saw Films, BBC Film, and Brightstar
- Filmed in New Zealand, standing in for 1920s Montana
- Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee
- Received critical acclaim, with a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 89/100 on Metacritic
- Won Best Director for Jane Campion at the 78th Venice International Film Festival
- Received 12 Academy Award nominations, the most for any film that year
- Won Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee) at the 79th Golden Globe Awards
- Won Best Film at the 46th Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The Power of the Dog?**
The film follows Phil Burbank, a charismatic but cruel rancher in 1920s Montana, whose life is disrupted when his brother George marries a widow named Rose and brings her and her son Peter to live on their ranch. Phil's psychological torment of Rose and his complex relationship with Peter form the central narrative.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, Kirsten Dunst as Rose Gordon, Jesse Plemons as George Burbank, and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon. Supporting cast includes Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, and Keith Carradine.

**What awards did The Power of the Dog win?**
The film won Best Director for Jane Campion at the 78th Venice International Film Festival and the 79th Golden Globe Awards. It also won Best Supporting Actor for Kodi Smit-McPhee at the Golden Globes, Best Film at the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards, and received 12 Academy Award nominations.

**Where was The Power of the Dog filmed?**
Despite being set in Montana, the film was primarily shot in New Zealand, with locations including Central Otago, Maniototo, and the Southern Alps standing in for the American West.

**What is the significance of the title?**
The title comes from the Bible, specifically Psalm 22:20: "Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog." It metaphorically represents the psychological and emotional torment experienced by the characters, particularly Rose and Peter.

## Why It Matters
The Power of the Dog represents a significant achievement in contemporary cinema as Jane Campion's triumphant return to feature filmmaking after a 12-year hiatus. The film demonstrates the continued relevance and power of psychological drama in the streaming era, proving that complex, character-driven narratives can achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success on platforms like Netflix. Its success helped validate the streaming model for prestige filmmaking, showing that high-quality, awards-worthy content could be produced outside the traditional theatrical distribution system. The film's exploration of toxic masculinity, repressed sexuality, and family dynamics resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike, sparking important cultural conversations about gender roles and emotional repression in American society. Additionally, Campion's Best Director win made her the first woman to win this award twice at the Venice Film Festival, cementing her status as one of the most important filmmakers of her generation.

## Notable For
- Jane Campion's first feature film in 12 years, marking her return to directing
- Most Academy Award nominations for any film in 2022 (12 nominations)
- First woman to win Best Director twice at the Venice Film Festival
- Netflix's most successful awards season campaign to date
- Critical acclaim for Benedict Cumberbatch's transformative performance
- Stunning cinematography that convincingly recreated 1920s Montana in New Zealand
- Adaptation of a relatively obscure 1967 novel that gained renewed attention
- Exploration of complex themes including toxic masculinity and repressed sexuality
- Strong performances from the entire ensemble cast, particularly Kodi Smit-McPhee
- Successful blending of Western genre elements with psychological drama

## Body

### Production and Development
The Power of the Dog was produced by See-Saw Films, BBC Film, and Brightstar, with Netflix serving as the distributor. The project was initiated when Jane Campion optioned the rights to Thomas Savage's 1967 novel in 2019. Filming began in New Zealand in 2020, with the country's diverse landscapes standing in for 1920s Montana. The production faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was completed successfully. The film had a budget of $39 million, which is considered substantial for an independent psychological drama.

### Creative Team
Jane Campion directed and wrote the screenplay, adapting Thomas Savage's novel. The film was produced by Jane Campion, Iain Canning, Roger Frappier, Tanya Seghatchian, and Emile Sherman. Cinematography was handled by Ari Wegner, who received widespread acclaim for her work capturing the stark beauty of the New Zealand landscape. The score was composed by Jonny Greenwood, whose haunting music became integral to the film's atmosphere. Production design was by Grant Major, and costume design was by Kirsty Cameron, both of whom contributed to the authentic period feel.

### Cast and Characters
The film features an ensemble cast led by Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, the complex and cruel rancher at the story's center. Kirsten Dunst plays Rose Gordon, the widow who marries Phil's brother George. Jesse Plemons portrays George Burbank, the more gentle and sensitive brother. Kodi Smit-McPhee delivers a breakthrough performance as Peter Gordon, Rose's son. The supporting cast includes Thomasin McKenzie as Lola, Frances Conroy as the Governor's wife, and Keith Carradine as the Governor.

### Setting and Location
Although set in Montana in the 1920s, the film was shot entirely in New Zealand. Principal photography took place in various locations including Central Otago, Maniototo, and the Southern Alps. The production team worked extensively to transform these New Zealand landscapes into convincing representations of the American West, using period-appropriate set design and visual effects. The choice of New Zealand provided both stunning natural backdrops and the practical benefit of the country's successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic during production.

### Critical Reception and Awards
The Power of the Dog premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2021, where it received a standing ovation and won the Silver Lion for Best Direction for Jane Campion. The film went on to receive widespread critical acclaim, holding a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89/100 score on Metacritic. It won Best Director for Jane Campion at the 79th Golden Globe Awards and received 12 Academy Award nominations, the most for any film that year. The film also won Best Film at the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards and received numerous other accolades from critics' associations worldwide.

### Themes and Analysis
The film explores complex themes including toxic masculinity, repressed sexuality, family dynamics, and psychological manipulation. Phil Burbank's character embodies traditional Western masculinity while simultaneously revealing its vulnerabilities and contradictions. The relationship between Phil and Peter serves as the emotional core of the film, exploring themes of mentorship, attraction, and revenge. The film also examines the impact of isolation and repression on mental health, particularly through Rose's character arc. The Western setting provides a backdrop for exploring how traditional gender roles and expectations can be both destructive and transformative.

### Distribution and Release
The Power of the Dog had a limited theatrical release beginning November 17, 2021, followed by its premiere on Netflix the same day. The film was released in select theaters to qualify for awards consideration, while Netflix's streaming platform provided it with a wide audience reach. This distribution strategy represented a significant moment in the evolution of streaming services as legitimate platforms for prestige filmmaking. The film's success on Netflix demonstrated the platform's ability to support and promote high-quality, awards-worthy content.

### Cultural Impact
The film sparked significant cultural conversations about masculinity, sexuality, and family dynamics in early 20th century America. Its exploration of repressed homosexuality and toxic masculinity resonated with contemporary audiences, particularly in the context of ongoing discussions about gender roles and identity. The film's success also highlighted the continued relevance of psychological drama and character-driven narratives in the streaming era. Jane Campion's achievement as the first woman to win Best Director twice at Venice further contributed to ongoing discussions about gender representation in the film industry.

### Technical Achievements
The film's technical achievements include Ari Wegner's cinematography, which received widespread acclaim for its use of natural light and composition to create a sense of isolation and tension. Jonny Greenwood's score was praised for its unconventional approach, using dissonant strings and unusual instrumentation to create an unsettling atmosphere. The production design and costume work successfully recreated the period setting, while the editing by Peter Sciberras maintained the film's deliberate pacing while building tension throughout its 126-minute runtime.

### Related Works and Adaptations
The Power of the Dog is based on Thomas Savage's 1967 novel of the same name, which had been largely out of print before the film's release sparked renewed interest. The adaptation remained largely faithful to the source material while expanding on certain themes and character motivations. The film's success has led to increased attention for Savage's other works and has contributed to a broader reassessment of Western literature from the mid-20th century. The film also joins a tradition of revisionist Westerns that examine the genre's traditional themes through a more psychological and character-driven lens.

## References

1. CineTV
2. [Source](https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees)
3. [2021](https://dfwcritics.com/dfw-film-critics-name-power-of-the-dog-best-film-of-2021/)
4. The Movie Database
5. The Power of the Dog. Rotten Tomatoes
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10293406/releaseinfo)
7. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/617633/the-power-of-the-dog)
8. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/fskkarte.asp?pvid=619975)
9. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-power-of-the-dog/)
10. Entertainment Identifier Registry
11. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2021&s_month=10&e_year=2021&e_month=10&pageID=2)
12. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=85921)
13. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
14. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/CatalogoICAA/info/207821/1/34/209.pdf)
15. Bechdel Test Movie List
16. [Source](https://letterboxd.com/film/the-power-of-the-dog/)
17. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/B055A23E004C8776)
18. [The Power of the Dog (2021) - Trakt](https://trakt.tv/movies/the-power-of-the-dog-2021)
19. IMDb
20. FilmVandaag.nl