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The Power of the Dog 2021
A 2021 Western psychological drama film, The Power of the Dog was written, co-produced, and directed by Jane Campion. Based on Thomas Savage's 1967 novel, the movie features Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee in leading roles. The story takes place in Montana during 1925 and was filmed primarily in rural parts of New Zealand’s Otago Region. This production is a collaboration between New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
The film made its debut at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on 2 September 2021, where Jane Campion earned the Silver Lion for Best Direction. It had a limited release in theaters during November 2021 before becoming available globally through Netflix on 1 December 2021. Critics responded positively to the movie, highlighting Jane Campion's direction and screenplay, as well as its cinematography, musical score, and performances by the four main actors.
The Power of the Dog was recognized as one of the finest films of 2021, appearing on numerous top-ten lists. It received significant praise and several awards, including 12 nominations at the 94th Academy Awards—among them Best Picture, Best Actor for Cumberbatch, Best Supporting Actor for both Plemons and Smit-McPhee, and Best Supporting Actress for Dunst. Jane Campion also won Best Director, marking the first time since The Graduate (1967) that a film has secured only that award. With 11 losses, the movie tied the record for most Oscar nominations lost in history until surpassed by Sinners, which had 12 losses.
The American Film Institute named it one of the best films of 2021. It also received seven nods at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Supporting Actor for Smit-McPhee, and Best Director. At the 27th Critics' Choice Awards, it was nominated ten times and took home four awards, including Best Picture. The 75th British Academy Film Awards saw eight nominations for the film, with two wins: Best Direction and Best Film. Since then, it has been frequently cited as among the greatest movies of the 2020s and of the 21st century.
Cast
- Benedict CumberbatchPhil Burbank
- Kirsten DunstRose Gordon
- Jesse PlemonsGeorge Burbank
- Kodi Smit-McPheePeter Gordon
- Genevieve LemonMrs. Lewis
- Keith CarradineGovernor Edward
- Frances ConroyOld Lady Burbank
- Peter Carroll"Old Gent" Burbank
- Alison BruceGovernor Edward's Wife
- Alistair SewellJock
- Cohen HollowayBobby
- Sean KeenanSven
- Adam BeachEdward Nappo
- Maeson Stone SkuggedalEdward Nappo's son
- Alice EnglertBuster
Crew
- Director
- Jane Campion
- Screenplay
- Jane Campion
- Producer
- Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Roger Frappier
- Cinematography
- Ari Wegner
- Editing
- Peter Sciberras
- Music
- Jonny Greenwood
Details
- Production
- Bad Girl Creek, BBC Film, Cross City Films, Max Films, New Zealand Film Commission, See-Saw Films
- Distributor
- Netflix, Transmission Films (Australia)
- Budget
- $35–39 million
- Box office
- $417,022
