Timothy olyphant young

Timothy Olyphant and Ian McShane in "Deadwood: The Movie." (Photo: HBO)

Reviving, rebooting and rehashing series that viewers fondly remember from years past has become TV's trend of the moment, whether it's CBS dusting off "Magnum P.I.," or ABC's recent live productions of "All in the Family" and "The Jefferson" vintage episodes.

But "Deadwood: The Movie," which premieres on HBO Friday, May 31, is much more than a mere exercise in nostalgia.

Ever since the Western ended in , after three seasons, fans have mourned its abrupt conclusion, which failed to give the series an opportunity to end on its own terms.

With "Deadwood," creator and writer David Milch, whose earlier credits include "Hill Street Blues" and "NYPD Blue," developed a western like no other, with richly imagined characters and dialogue notable for its profanity, poetry and Shakespeare-like formality.

Timothy Olyphant and John Hawkes in "Deadwood: The Movie." (Photo: HBO)

For years, HBO executives talked about the possibility of reviving “Deadwood,” in one form or another, but nothing came of it.

Then, finally, word came that not only was a TV movie sequel in production, but most members of the original cast were returning.

The result is “Deadwood: The Movie,” which will bring the magic back to TV screens on May Even without knowing anything about the behind-the-scenes events involved, “Deadwood: The Movie” would stand on its own merits as a beautifully conceived, written, and performed valedictory to a series that was gone too soon.

Dayton Callie and Molly Parker in "Deadwood: The Movie." (Photo: HBO)

But it's impossible to separate the TV movie's delicate aura of melancholy from the recently reported revelation of Milch being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Watching Gem Saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), an expletive-spewing force of nature in the series, deal with his own failing health in "Deadwood: The Movie," for example, is especially poignant, considering Milch's condition.

It’s a tribute to the work done by Milch -- and members of the team, including director Daniel Minahan -- that “Deadwood: The Movie” doesn’t stoop to easy sentimentality, yet remains deeply, powerfully moving.

The story begins 10 years after the original series ended, in , as Deadwood is celebrating South Dakota joining the Union.

Swearengen is still in his power position inside the Gem Saloon, but he’s looking the worse for wear, yelling for help from Jewel (Geri Jewell) – and using a characteristically coarse slur to describe her.

Ian McShane in "Deadwood: The Movie." (Photo: HBO)

Dr.

Timothy olyphant biography deadwood review Widely regarded as one of the greatest television shows of all time, the star-studded Western crime drama Deadwood touts a top-tier ensemble cast led by Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, and Jim Beaver, with the sweeping series taking place in the lawless mining town in where former Marshal-turned-hardware store owner Seth Bullock finds himself at odds with the scheming saloon owner Al Swearengen. Featuring a winning blend of historical and fictional elements, the smash hit series ran from to , garnering universal acclaim before being shockingly canceled after three seasons. Fans were left outraged by the Western's unceremonious cancelation, as it won eight Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe during its brilliant run while helping launch the dazzling career of lead star Olyphant. In , longtime viewers were finally given the conclusion they deserved when the cast and crew returned for Deadwood: The Movie , becoming a certified knockout just like its predecessor. Let's explore why now is the perfect chance to rewatch Deadwood, over 21 years since its debut.

Cochran (Brad Dourif, in a state of superb, perpetually exasperated concern) arrives, and quickly sizes up Swearengen.

“Out of sorts, would you say, Commander?” Dr. Cochran says, before sharing his worry that Swearengen’s liver is shot, and if he keeps on doing what he’s doing, his days are numbered.

This sets in motion the re-introduction of Deadwood’s various past and present residents, as we see Charlie Utter (Dayton Callie) greeting Alma Ellsworth (Molly Parker), and the now-grown Sofia (Lily Keene), as they get off the train.

“What a grand surprise,” Charlie says, “after such a piece of time.”

And so it continues, with a plotline involving the villainous, win-at-any-cost capitalism of George Hearst (Gerald McRaney), deaths, births, marriages and inescapable signs of change, as symbolized by the arrival of telephones and telephone poles.

Swearengen, too smart not to see time hurtling by, fulminates about the idea of having a (bleeping) “telephone in my joint.” As he says, a “saloon is a sanctuary.

Every man worth the name knows the value of being unreachable.”

Robin Weigert and Kim Dickens in "Deadwood: The Movie." (Photo: HBO)

As with the original series, what’s exceptional about “Deadwood: The Movie” isn’t the story, but the gallery of characters created by Milch, and the extraordinary cast.

As Milch’s daughter, Olivia, a screenwriter herself, says in a New Yorker article, her father “always says the emotional response of the character is the plot.”

True to that philosophy, in “Deadwood: The Movie,” it’s a profound pleasure just to see this glorious group of actors ease back into their roles with grace and assurance.

McShane is once again perfection as Swearengen, delivering his R-rated speeches with theatrical relish and wit.

He’s matched by strong work done by fellow veterans Paula Malcomson as Trixie, John Hawkes as Sol Star, McRaney as Hearst, Callie as Charlie, Parker as Alma, Anna Gunn as Martha Bullock, Kim Dickens as Joanie Stubbs, Robin Weigert as “Calamity” Jane Canary, William Sanderson as E.B. Farnum, Keone Young as Mr. Wu, W. Earl Brown as Dan Dority, Sean Bridgers as Johnny Burns, and more.

Even better is Timothy Olyphant, who has improved on his original performance.

Olyphant now feels utterly at home as lawman Seth Bullock, embodying the classic Western iconography of his character, while also displaying a natural gravity that makes Bullock the moral center of "Deadwood: The Movie."

Whether he’s exchanging meaningful glances with his former lover, Alma (Olyphant and Parker have electric chemistry), affectionately greeting his wife, or opening fire in righteous vengeance, Olyphant’s Bullock is magnetic.

If the townsfolk are marking South Dakota statehood, “Deadwood: The Movie” feels like a celebration not only of the characters, but of the actors being reunited.

Timothy olyphant biography deadwood Fifteen years after its premiere it was revived as a standalone movie on the premium cabler. The Hollywood Reporter's original review of season one is below:. David Milch, executive producer of NYPD Blue and, before that, Hill Street Blues , has spent years looking at society from the perspective of those who enforce its laws and impose order. His new series, Deadwood , imagines a world without law, a world ruled only by the conscience of individuals, many of whom have none. The result is a Western unlike most others.

In scenes such as a town wedding, it’s wonderful to see these gifted performers together again, sharing a dance, a joke, or holding a baby.

Though it would be easy to feel sadness about what the years have done to the creator and some of the characters, by the end of “Deadwood: The Movie,” the overwhelming emotion that comes through is gratitude.

We feel grateful for this chance to say goodbye, and suspect everyone involved may have the same reaction.

To paraphrase Charlie Utter, that’s a grand surprise indeed, after such a piece of time.

“Deadwood: The Movie” airs from p.m. Friday, May 31, on HBO.