NowamajormotionpicturestarringNicolasCageanddirectedbyGabePolsky.InhisNationalBookAward-winningnovelAugustus,JohnWilliamsuncoveredthesecretsofancientRome.WithButcher’sCrossing,hisfiercelyintelligent,beautifullywrittenwestern,WilliamsdismantlesthemythsofmodernAmerica.Itisthe1870s,andWillAndrews,firedupbyEmersontoseek“anoriginalrelationtonature,“dropsoutofHarvardandheadswest.HewashesupinButcher’sCrossing,asmallKansastownontheoutskirtsofnowhere.Butcher’sCrossingisfullofrestlessmenlookingforwaystomakemoneyandwaystowasteit.BeforelongAndrewsstrikesupafriendshipwithoneofthem,amanwhoregalesAndrewswithtalesofimmenseherdsofbuffalo,readyforthetaking,hiddenawayinabeautifulvalleydeepintheColoradoRockies.HeconvincesAndrewstojoininanexpeditiontotracktheanimalsdown.Thejourneyoutisgrueling,butattheendisaplaceofparadisalrichness.Oncethere,however,thethreemenabandonthemselvestoanorgyofslaughter,socaughtupinkillingbuffalothattheyloseallsenseoftime.Wintersoonovertakesthem:theyaresnowedin.Nextspring,half-insanewithcabinfever,cold,andhunger,theystaggerbacktoButcher’sCrossingtofindaworldasirremediablychangedastheyhavebeen.
