The Undertaker's Friend

Author: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

"The Undertaker's Friend"

Directed by Richard Shepard
Written by Richard Shepard
Music by Bob Dylan
Produced by Clint Eastwood

Principal Cast:

Edward Norton - Luke L. Short
Alec Baldwin - Bat Masterson
Reese Witherspoon - Hettie Short
Jeff Daniels - "Longhair" Jim Courtright
Jeff Bridges - Wyatt Earp
Johnny Depp - John "Doc" Holliday
Kathleen Quinlan - "Big Nose" Kate
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Mayor Alonzo Webster
Ed Burns - Charlie Bassett

Tagline: "Because he shot 'em where it didn't show"

Synopsis: A dark humorous look at the old west and one of it's most feared and overlooked gunfighter/gamblers, Luke Short. He first killed a man at the age of 15 with a pair of scissors. He traded whiskey and bullets with Sioux indians. Made the move to Kansas, where the dandy-deadly gambler befriended the likes of Bat Masterson, Doc Holiday and the Earps in Dodge City. He started a city war of saloon's with corrupt Dodge City mayor Alonzo Webster. He ended his gun fighting career in a famous duel with Marshall "Longhair" Jim Courtright. He was a lover to one, a friend to a few, an undesirable to everyone else. Never underestimated was the "Undertaker's Friend".

What the press would say:

From the director of "The Matador", Richard Shepard presents us with a western with the humor of Cat Ballou and the grittiness of Unforgiven. As do most westerns, The Understaker's Friend offers up memorable performances from Johnny Depp, Jeff Daniels and Reese Witherspoon. Edward Norton tops the cast with an uncompromising performance as the dashing but deadly anti-hero, Luke Short. Cinematographer Roger Deakins offers up 65mm film stock to give us that old school western feel, along with memorable sunset shots that reminds us of Peckinpah's "Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid". And not to be forgotten is the brilliant score by Bob Dylan. His first full length soundtrack, accompanied by ex-Smiths songsmith Johnny Marr to create the surely nominated song "Undesirable". A refreshing western all around.

Best Picture
Best Director - Richard Shepard
Best Actor - Edward Norton
Best Actress - Reese Witherspoon
Best Supporting Actor - Johnny Depp
Best Supporting Actor - Jeff Daniels
Best Supporting Actress - Kathleen Quinlan
Best Original Screenplay - Richard Shepard
Best Cinematography - Roger Deakins
Best Score - Bob Dylan
Best Song - "Undesirable" by Johnny Marr and Bob Dylan
Best Editing - Joel Cox (Million Dollar Baby, Flags Of Our Fathers)
Best Costume Design - Deborah Hopper (Chaplin, Pale Rider)
Best Art Direction - Rick Roberts (Unforgiven)