Surrounded--One Of The Best Films Of The Year!!--Available On Digital Today! (MGM Presents)

 In what is going to be one of the most cinematic films of the year, Surrounded(I hope) is given a great number of nods for a great many things. First of all the cinematography is breathtaking and it's a shame that this is not getting a theatrical release instead of a direct-to-digital release.

The visuals and the sound production are so clear and when shots are fired off-screen we hear them from the other side of the room and then fly through the speakers to the other side. Regardless, this does not take away from how great this film is.

Of course, a film cannot stand on its own from just how good it looks, there are many things that work in the film. The acting is solid and this is one of the best modern westerns, Old Henry & The Legend of Molly Johnson are two of my favorites in the past few years.

We first meet Moses "Mo" Washington(Letitia Wright)is looking for a ride to lay claim to a gold mine.

She finds a ride with some people, who are less than welcoming to her joining them on the journey across the country. She has disguised herself as a man, being a single, black woman in 1870 America.

The only remaining place for her to sit is on the back of the coach, where the luggage is stored.

The story takes place five years after the Civil War, she has been freed and was a buffalo soldier and a better soldier than most in her group.

The stagecoach is stopped by legendary outlaw Tommy Walsh(Jamie Bell, above), he and his murderous men stop at nothing to get what they want, and the coach is run off a cliff, in a very thrilling and extremely well-shot scene. The other survivors of the attack go to seek help from a town a few miles ahead. "Mo" is left in charge of looking after Tommy. Tommy is chained to a tree and they are left on their own, out in the elements.

If Letitia Wright is not noticed for her performance here, it would be a shame. 

It's noted in the press notes that the film was shot in the iconic Ghost Ranch in Abiqui, New Mexico. The Ghost Ranch was made famous by the painter Georgia O'Keefe. Also, 90% of Surrounded was filmed outside in the elements.

This may not be seen by the majority of people, but they are missing out on one of the best films of the year! It's only June, but it's that good, if you like a solid western go rent it today!

I hope that this becomes available on physical media soon as I would love to add it to my collection of movies. In the mean time, I bought it digitally today!