Cockfighter (1974)

Infamous - Cockfighter review by sb

FILM & REVIEW Trigger Warning - contains cockfighting.. Monte Hellman’s infamous film has Oates as Frank who has shot his mouth off once too often and until he wins the Cockfighter of the Year award has taken a vow of silence. He bets his latest bird against Harry Dean Stanton’s but bets everything - his car, his trailer park home and when he loses he even throws in his girl with the deal. Free of all encumbrances he starts afresh building up his cash reserves to buy better birds and is partnered by Omar who seems to be the only person that can make sense of Frank. He also has a fiancé Mary but again always backs away - his reputation increases until he makes the championship and invites Mary to it to see him and the birds in action….. As you can imagine this all ends on a bittersweet note. Hellman’s films are full of remote taciturn men and by making Frank mute by choice he takes this to logical conclusion and it’s to Oates credit that you still get involved. It was refused a certificate for years on the obvious grounds and the camera does not slack as the birds tear each other apart so be warned . It’s also an interesting slice of underbelly Americana as the sport is illegal in 38 states but occupies a niche in others. Been on my to see list for ages so can finally tick that one off - 4/5

The Quietest Cockerel Is the Loudest - Cockfighter review by griggs

Cockfighter is southern gothic at its dustiest—slow, strange, and steeped in a kind of faded honour. Monte Hellman drops us deep into backwoods America, where silence, pride, and obsession rule. It’s a quiet film, but it gets under your skin.

Warren Oates is brilliant as Frank Mansfield, a man who’s taken a vow not to speak until he wins back his title on the cockfighting circuit. What’s especially odd—though kind of perfect—is that Harry Dean Stanton, usually the quiet one, does most of the talking instead.

The film doesn’t rush or explain. It just unfolds, hot and heavy with tension, like a long summer day with no breeze. The cockfighting scenes are hard to watch, but they’re part of a world Hellman captures with eerie calm. It won’t be for everyone, but if you like your stories raw and stripped back, this one sticks with you.