Introduction

Echoes of War is a 2015 American Western psychological thriller film written by Kane Senes and John Chriss and directed by Kane Senes.

The film stars James Badge Dale as a Confederate soldier who returns home from the American Civil War, bringing his demons back with him. It also stars Ethan Embry, William Forsythe, Maika Monroe, Rhys Wakefield, Beth Broderick, Ryan O’Nan and Owen Teague.

Also known as Demons of War (working title, US), A Relative Stranger (original script title, US), and War on the Range (UK).

Outline

In post-Civil War Texas, two neighbouring families are grieving tragic losses while they struggle to survive. The cattle-ranching McCluskeys have lost both a son and their entire herd to the war. The Rileys, mourning the loss of wife and mother Mary to illness, eke out a living trapping animals and selling their pelts. When Wade Riley returns from fighting in the American Civil War, he discovers that Randolph McCluskey and family have been stealing animals from his family’s traps. He decides to take matters into his own hands, sparking yet another war that quickly escalates out of control.

Cast

• James Badge Dale as Wade Riley
• Ethan Embry as Seamus Riley
• William Forsythe as Randolph McCluskey
• Maika Monroe as Abigail Riley
• Rhys Wakefield as Marcus McCluskey
• Owen Teague as Samuel Riley
• Ryan O’Nan as Dillard McCluskey
• Beth Broderick as Doris McCluskey

Production

Co-writers Kane Senes and John Chriss wrote the script in Sydney, Australia in 2012. The working title of the film was A Relative Stranger, based on Senes’s graduate film of the same name. The pair then partnered with producers Dave Szamet, Steven J. Berger and Kyle Fischer. Casting began in Los Angeles in May 2013 and the film was shot in Austin, Texas in 25 days in September 2013.

According to Senes, the production almost came to a screeching halt when an investor pulled out two weeks before shooting began and the team started shooting with enough money to get through week one out of four. Another investor came on at the last minute to complete the funding.

Composer Hanan Townshend, a frequent collaborator of director Terrence Malick, scored the film.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival on 15 April 2015, where it won a Special Jury Prize for Best Ensemble Cast. It had a limited theatrical release on 15 May 2015, via AMC Theatres.

The Texas Tech University International Film Series did a one-night only screening hosted by Texas Tech alumnus and co-writer/producer John Chriss.

Echoes of War received mixed reviews from critics.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Kane Senes
• Producer(s):
  • Carson Aune … associate producer
  • Steven J. Berger … producer
  • John Chriss … producer
  • Josh Cole … producer
  • Kyle Fischer … producer
  • Matthew Helderman … executive producer
  • Chase Kuker … associate producer
  • J.M.R. Luna … producer
  • Kane Senes … producer
  • Dave Szamet … producer
  • Luke Taylor … executive producer
  • George Voskericyan … executive producer
• Writer(s):
  • John Chriss … (co-writer)
  • Kane Senes … (co-writer)
• Music:
  • Hanan Townshend
• Cinematography:
  • Wesley Cardino … (as Wes Cardino)
• Editing:
  • Arndt-Wulf Peemöller … (as Arndt Peemoeller)
• Production:
  • American Film Productions
  • Provenance Pictures
  • Country Club
  • Movie Trailer House (trailer post-production services)
• Distributor(s):
  • ARC Entertainment (United States, 2015)(theatrical)
• Release Date: 15 April 2015 (Dallas International Film Festival, US).
• Running time: 100 minutes.
• Rating: 15.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)