Deadwood the movie is a coda to the television series as it picks the story up 10 years later.

It is 1889 and South Dakota has achieved statehood which is cause for celebrations.

Corrupt George Hearst now a senator has returned to Deadwood and makes Charlie Utter an offer on his property. When Utter declines, he ends up dead and a black man is the principal suspect but he was also a witness that needs to be silenced.

A dying Al Swearengen and Marshal Seth Bullock have unfinished business with Hearst.

Watching this the film, it has themes explored by the film McCabe and Mrs Miller. How a bigger fish can use corruption and violence to overpower his opponents.

Fans of the television series will enjoy the film which ins interspersed with brief clips from the show.

Deadwood was known for its swearing but it really does overpower it.

Now my rating is under the impression of having seen the tv show. And while that has been a while, the movie is able to slowly reel you back in. Get you to remember things. Now of course some people who watch the show (binge it) and then go on to watch the movie, might feel a bit belittled by the fact there are certain callbacks and flashbacks. But be aware that some might have not been to Deadwood for quite a while.

You couldn't tell from the performances and the actors of course. Or the really well crafted script. It feels like no time has passed at all ... let alone over a decade. And as the show, this is not some flashy fan dream come true. It holds on to what made the show great. And that is why I urge anyone who thinks about watching this, to first take some time and watch the show! It is really worth it.

This was much needed and I am glad I finally had the opportunity to watch it. Of course no ending to any show will satisfy all the fans. But I think this is doing quite the amazing job of rounding up certain things, while leaving others up for the viewer to make up his or her mind. HBO shows stand for quality in general and its not different here ...

I don't mind giving this film the highest rating possible as it was a great, nostalgic return to a series that was one of my favorites. It was gratifying to see that in the intervening ten years, all of the major principals were back in fine form, while compensating for age with the addition of a few pounds or wrinkles as the case may be. All were recognizable, except for actress Lily Keene, who replaced the original pre-teen actress for the role of the now adult Sofia Ellsworth. Gratifying too that the characters remained true to their earlier dispositions, particularly Marshal Bullock (Timothy Olyphant),Al Swearengen (Ian McShane),and Calamity Jane Cannary (Robin Weigert),complete with their colorful use of the English language which I do have to admit, probably did not comport with the way pioneer folks would have spoken in the 1880's. While intermittent flashback scenes recall events of the original series, it's probably best that this stand alone film be viewed only after watching the complete three seasons of "Deadwood", otherwise one might be grasping for answers to particular scenarios in this story, especially those surrounding the villainous George Hearst (Gerald McRaney),who if it's possible, is even more evil in this ten year reunion. The writing for this movie was on a par with the caliber that made the original series such a hit, and if the story of Deadwood had to end with this picture, it certainly goes out in fine fashion. Prepare for some poignant moments, especially with the death of two major characters who helped define the series when it was a popular mainstay on HBO. I've seen the complete series twice now, and having just watched this reunion special, I'm pretty sure I'll be catching it all once again.