Where is My Remote: Kevin Costner's Hatfields & McCoys : Crimson Monkey

Where is My Remote: Kevin Costner's Hatfields & McCoys

Wednesday, May 02 2012 - Where is My Remote - by: trentstorm

Preview: Hatfields & McCoys

Cast & Characters:

Kevin Costner as William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield

Bill Paxton as Randolph “Ole Ran'I” McCoy

Tom Berenger as Jim Vance

Powers Booth as Judge Valentine Hatfield

Matt Barr as Johnse Hatfield

Lindsay Pulsipher as Roseanna McCoy

Ronan Vibert as Perry Cline

Jena Malone as Nancy McCoy

Andrew Howard as “Bad” Frank Phillips

Sarah Parish as Levicy Hatfield

Boyd Holbrook as William 'Cap' Hatfield

Noel Fisher as Ellison 'Cotton Top' Mounts

Mare Winningham as Sally McCoy

The History:

The Hatfields & McCoys are burned into American history and folklore, but how many know off hand what exactly happened? Well, I'll quickly breeze through just to give everyone an idea.

The area was around the Tug Fork tributary along the Big Sandy River between Kentucky and West Virginia. The Hatfields lived in West Virginia and many fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, while the McCoys lived in Kentucky and had fought for the Union. The Hatfields had political connections and Devil Anse Hatfield had a timber operation and even employed a few McCoys.

However, the first act of violence occurred on January 7, 1865 where Asa Harmon McCoy had been discharged from the Union on account of his broken leg, and several from the McCoy's Logan Wildcat Homeguard hunted him down and killed him. Devil Anse was a prime suspect, however, Anse may have been home sick during this murder. It was most likely Anse's Uncle Jim Vance who ordered the hit. What's even more interesting is that some of the McCoys expected Asa Harmon to get shot, as the area was Pro-Confederate.

1878, Floyd Hatfield and Randolph McCoy began a legal dispute over the ownership of a hog. As silly as it seemed, it ended in the murder of Bill Stanton, a relative to both families.

Things got worse around 1880 when Roseanna McCoy and Johnse Hatfield began a relationship. Despite Roseanna risking everything to be with Johnse, he would eventually leave her pregnant and marry her cousin, Nancy McCoy, in 1881.

1882, Ellison Hatfield (Devil Anse's brother) was shot and stabbed 26 times by Tolbert, Pharmer and Bud McCoy (all Roseanna's brothers). The Hatfields would eventually grab the brothers, tie them to trees and execute them by firing squad.

The feud peaked in 1888 where several of the Hatfields surrounded the McCoy cabin and set the cabin on fire, hoping to kill Randolph McCoy. Randolph escaped, but his two children and wife were murdered.

The feud escalated to the point where both the Kentucky and West Virginia governors had to send state militias to the area to restore order. Arrests were made for the 1888 cabin attack, life sentences and one death sentence were carried out.

By 1890, casualties included 12 dead and at least 10 wounded.

My Thoughts:

My only concern, as a stickler for historical accuracy, is that they will try to jam pack the events or try to make it seem like the murder of Harmon McCoy happened during the time when Roseanna and Johnse began their forbidden love affair when in fact, there were 15 years apart. I do expect some inaccuracy or exaggerations, but from what I've read from history, it's easy to see that the real life Hatfields and McCoys supply more than enough drama to fulfill a 3 night mini-series.

Look for Hatfields & McCoys to air on The History Channel, beginning on Memorial Day, May 28 and through May 30.