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{{Short description|2014 film by Seth MacFarlane}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = A Million Ways to Die in the West | image = A Million Ways to Die in the West poster.jpg
| alt = Three people dressed in Western style. On the left in the background a man dressed in dark colors with a gun held high. In the center a man in a blue shirt with a brown waistcoat, and behind him to his right a blonde woman
| image =
| alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption =
| director = ] | director = ]
| writer = {{Plainlist|
| producer = Seth MacFarlane<br/>John Jacobs<br/>]
| writer = Seth MacFarlane<br/>]<br/>] * Seth MacFarlane
* ]
| starring = Seth MacFarlane<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]
* ]
| music = ]
}}
| cinematography = ]
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* Jason Clark
* Seth MacFarlane
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Seth MacFarlane
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]<!--- per poster order --->
}}
| cinematography = ]
| editing = Jeff Freeman | editing = Jeff Freeman
| music = ]
| studio = ]<br />]<br />Bluegrass Films
| studio = {{Plainlist|
| distributor = ]
* ]
| released = {{Film date|2014|05|30}}
* ]
| runtime =
* Bluegrass Films
}}
| distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|2014|05|16|]|2014|05|30|United States}}
| runtime = 116 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 115:59--><ref>{{cite web | title = A Million Ways to Die in the West | url = https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/million-ways-die-west-film | publisher = ] | date = May 19, 2014 | access-date = May 20, 2014}}</ref>
| country = United States | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $40 million<ref>{{cite web | title=Box-Office Preview: 'Maleficent' Set to Curse 'Million Ways to Die in the West' | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-maleficent-set-707557 | work=] | date=May 28, 2014 | access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>
| budget =
| gross = $87.2 million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=millionwaystodie.htm | title= A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) | work = ] | publisher = IMDB | date = July 20, 2014 | access-date = November 28, 2015}}</ref>
| gross =
}} }}


'''''A Million Ways to Die in the West''''' is an upcoming 2014 American ] ] film directed by ] and written by MacFarlane, ], and ]. The film will star MacFarlane himself along with ], ], ], ], ] and ]. It will be produced by ] and distributed by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mrcstudios.com/film/14|accessdate=9 May 2013|title=Media Rights Capital}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Collura|first=Scott|title=Sarah Silverman for MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/18/sarah-silverman-joining-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west|work=IGN|accessdate=9 May 2013}}</ref> The film is currently scheduled to be released on May 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrett |first=Annie |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/05/10/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-release/ |title='A Million Ways to Die in the West' gets summer 2014 release date &#124; Inside Movies &#124; EW.com |publisher=Insidemovies.ew.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Vulture |url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/05/neil-patrick-harris-joins-macfarlanes-western.html |title=Neil Patrick Harris Joins Seth MacFarlane’s A Million Ways to Die in the West |first=Jesse David |last=Fox |date=May 11, 2013 }}</ref> '''''A Million Ways to Die in the West''''' is a 2014 American ] ] directed by ] and written by MacFarlane, ] and ]. The film features an ] including MacFarlane, ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The film follows a cowardly ] who gains courage with the help of a female gunfighter and must use his newfound skills in a confrontation with her villainous outlaw husband.

Development began while MacFarlane and co-writers Sulkin and Wild were watching Western movies during the development of '']'' (2012). Casting was done between December 2012 and March 2013. Filming began on May 6, 2013, in various locations in ] including ] and ], and it concluded on August 9 that year. ] composed the score.

The film was released on May 30, 2014, in the United States, and distributed worldwide by ]. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with criticism for its length, screenplay, humor and MacFarlane's performance and directing.


==Plot== ==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries are 400 to 700 words -->
A sheep farmer, who lacks courage, loses his beloved female partner as a result of him withdrawing a duel. He soon meets another lady, and discovers his bravery and confidence. The herder soon realises his true potential when the lady's spouse, an infamous criminal, demands payback.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=] |url=http://variety.com/2013/film/news/universal-seth-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-1200479218/ |title=Universal to Release Seth MacFarlane’s ‘A Million Ways To Die’ on May 30, 2014 |date=May 10, 2013 |first=Justin |last=Knoll }}</ref>
In 1882, in the town of Old Stump, ], timid ] Albert Stark's girlfriend, Louise, breaks up with him because of his refusal to defend himself in a duel. He prepares to migrate to ], believing that the ] offers nothing for him.


Meanwhile, infamous outlaw Clinch Leatherwood shoots and kills an old prospector over a single ]. He orders his right-hand man Lewis to escort his wife Anna to Old Stump while he continues his banditry.
== Cast ==

* ] as Albert
Lewis and Anna arrive in Old Stump under the guise of siblings looking to build a farm, but he is arrested for shooting the pastor's son in a saloon fight. During the brawl, Albert saves Anna from being crushed to death; they become close friends.
* ]<ref>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rex-linn-joins-seth-macfarlanes-560741</ref>

* ]<ref>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rex-linn-joins-seth-macfarlanes-560741</ref>
Attending the county fair, Louise's arrogant new boyfriend Foy challenges Albert to a shooting contest. Albert loses, but Anna steps in and defeats him. He publicly humiliates Albert, who impulsively challenges Foy to a duel the next day. Knowing that Albert would lose to Foy, Anna suggests that they ] in a week's time to win back Louise. Anna then spends the week teaching Albert how to shoot.
* ]<ref>http://screenrant.com/million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-liam-neeson-giovanni-ribisi/</ref>

* ] as Edward<ref>http://screenrant.com/million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-liam-neeson-giovanni-ribisi/</ref>
During a barn dance the night before the duel, Anna slips something into Foy's whiskey. After leaving the dance, Albert and she kiss before heading home. After breaking out of jail and murdering the sheriff, Lewis observes their kiss and reports it to Clinch. On the day of the duel, Foy arrives late and has severe ] from the ] he had unknowingly ingested.
* ]

* ]
Albert, who has decided that Louise is not worth fighting for, forfeits anyway. He retires to the saloon, but Clinch arrives and reveals that Anna is his wife, threatening to kill more people unless his wife's lover duels him the next day.
* ] as Sheriff<ref>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rex-linn-joins-seth-macfarlanes-560741</ref>

Later, Clinch confronts Anna by demanding that she reveal Albert's name and his whereabouts, or he will kill Plugger, the old prospector's dog that Anna befriended after the old prospector's death. He tries to ] her, but she knocks him unconscious with a rock and escapes.

Anna returns to Albert's farm to warn him about Clinch, but Albert chastises her for lying to him. Clinch, having regained consciousness, tracks her down to the farm, but Albert helps her escape; he then escapes himself.

While fleeing, Albert is captured by a tribe of ]s, who threaten to burn him alive. They spare him when he reveals that he can speak their language. They give him a bowl of ], which he drinks in its entirety, sending him flashing back to his birth and through painful events of his childhood before a vision of Anna makes him realize he loves her.

Meanwhile, Clinch recaptures Anna in town, but Albert returns to Old Stump and confronts him. He wounds Clinch with a bullet dipped in ] ] before his own gun is shot out of his hand but Albert stalls until Clinch dies. Louise attempts to win back Albert, but he rejects her and instead happily enters into a relationship with Anna. He also receives a bounty for killing Clinch, so he uses the money to buy more sheep.

In the ], ] arrives to challenge the offensive "Runaway Slave" game at the town fair's shooting gallery, but instead shoots the owner.

==Cast==
{{div col}}
* ] as Albert Stark, a wimpy but kind-hearted sheepherder
** Mike Salazar as 6-year-old Albert
** ] as 12-year-old Albert
* ] as Anna Barnes-Leatherwood,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/a-million-ways-die-west-trailer-seth-macfarlane-charlize-theron/ | title='A Million Ways to Die in the West' Trailer Has a Whole Lot of Death | last1=Shaw-Williams | first1=Hannah | date=February 3, 2014 | website=Screen Rant | access-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref> Clinch Leatherwood's rebellious wife, who befriends Albert
* ] as Louise,<ref name="hollywoodreporter1">{{cite news | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rex-linn-joins-seth-macfarlanes-560741 | title=Rex Linn Joins Seth MacFarlane's 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' | newspaper=] | date=May 30, 2013 | access-date=August 10, 2013}}</ref> Albert's unappreciative ex-girlfriend
* ] as Clinch Leatherwood,<ref name="screenrant1">{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-liam-neeson-giovanni-ribisi/ | title=Liam Neeson & Giovanni Ribisi Join 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' | website=Screen Rant | date=March 7, 2013 | access-date=August 10, 2013}}</ref> a notorious ] and Anna's abusive husband
* ] as Edward,<ref name="screenrant1"/> a cobbler, Albert's best friend and Ruth's boyfriend
* ] as Foy,<ref>Quinlan, Erin (May 21, 2014). . '']''.</ref> a rich, snobby Old Stump inhabitant and Louise's current boyfriend
* ] as Ruth, Edward's girlfriend and a ]
* Christopher Hagen as George Stark, Albert's abusive father
* Jean Effron as Elsie Stark, Albert's mother
* ] as Chief Cochise, the leader of a band of Apache Indians<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/04/19/wes-studi-be-second-american-indian-inducted-hall-great-western-performers-148919 | title=Wes Studi to Be Second American Indian Inducted into 'Hall of Great Western Performers' | website=Indian Country Today Media Network | date=April 19, 2013 | access-date=May 27, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302154518/http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/04/19/wes-studi-be-second-american-indian-inducted-hall-great-western-performers-148919 | archive-date=March 2, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ] as the Sheriff/Narrator<ref name="hollywoodreporter1"/>
* ] as Millie, a madam at the local brothel where Ruth works
* ] as Dan * ] as Dan
* ] as Pastor Wilson
* ]
* ] as Marcus Thornton
* ] as Lewis, a ruthlessly violent gunman and Clinch Leatherwood's right-hand man
* Dylan Kenin as Pastor's Son, who is killed by Lewis in the bar
* ] as the Old Prospector, an unfortunate victim of Clinch's gang
{{div col end}}

===Cameos===
{{div col}}
* ] as Django Freeman (''uncredited''),<ref>{{cite web | last=Morgan | first=Maybelle | title=ELLE reviews A Million Ways to Die in the West | url=http://www.elleuk.com/star-style/news/elle-reviews-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-film-amanda-seyfried-charlize-theron-liam-neeson#image=1 | work=] | access-date=May 29, 2014 | date=May 29, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529235359/http://www.elleuk.com/star-style/news/elle-reviews-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-film-amanda-seyfried-charlize-theron-liam-neeson#image=1 | archive-date=May 29, 2014 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> who shoots the owner of the "Runaway Slave" game. The scene was added after test audiences reacted poorly to the shooting gallery's cartoon African-American slaves as targets.
* ] (''uncredited'') as a man Clinch kills in the saloon
* ] as Cowboy #1<ref name="MillionWaysProductionNotes">{{cite web | url=http://media.amillionways.com/A_MILLION_WAYS_TO_DIE_IN_THE_WEST_Production_Information.pdf | title=A Million Ways to Die in the West | date=May 9, 2014 | publisher=Universal Pictures | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524081842/http://media.amillionways.com/A_MILLION_WAYS_TO_DIE_IN_THE_WEST_Production_Information.pdf | archive-date=May 24, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* ] as ],<ref name="gilbert">{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/436865422579601408 | title=SethMacFarlane: Great day of filming with the hilarious Gilbert Gottfried @RealGilbert on #AMillionWays | publisher=] | date=February 21, 2014 | access-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> seen during Albert's drug trip.
* ] as smiling man in photograph
* ] as a snake oil salesman
* ] as ] #1
* ] as ],<ref>{{cite web | last=Vejvoda | first=Jim | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/25/universal-shows-off-fifty-shades-of-grey-lucy-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-and-more-at-cinemacon | title=Universal Shows Off Fifty Shades of Grey, Lucy, A Million Ways to Die in the West and More at CinemaCon | website=IGN | date=March 25, 2014 | access-date=May 22, 2014}}</ref> whom Albert stumbles upon working on the ]
* ] as a traveling comedian<ref name="billmaher">{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/339724034445033473 | title=@billmaher brought the laughs today in A Million Ways To Die In The West | publisher=Twitter | date=May 29, 2013 | access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref>
* ] as a cowboy who mocks Albert at the fair
* ] as guy at fair
* ] as guy in bar fight
* ] (''uncredited'', unrated version only) as a woman that Albert tries to pick up in a store
* ] (''uncredited voice'') as a long-legged sheep seen during Albert's drug trip
* ] as Prostitute
{{div col end}}


==Production== ==Production==
===Development===
The film was first announced on December 3, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=97676 |title=Seth MacFarlane Finds A Million Ways to Die in the West |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=2012-12-03 |accessdate=2013-05-11}}</ref> On January 30, 2013, it was announced that ] had joined the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=99571 |title=Charlize Theron Eyes A Million Ways to Die in the West |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=2013-01-30 |accessdate=2013-05-11}}</ref> On February 11, 2013, it was announced ] had joined the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=100224 |title=Amanda Seyfried Finds A Million Ways to Die in the West |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=2013-02-11 |accessdate=2013-05-11}}</ref> On March 6, 2013, it was announced ] and ] had joined the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101202 |title=Giovanni Ribisi and Liam Neeson Find A Million Ways to Die in the West |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=2013-03-06 |accessdate=2013-05-11}}</ref> On March 18, 2013, it was announced that ] was cast to play a prostitute in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101689 |title=Sarah Silverman Eyes A Million Ways to Die in the West |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=2013-03-18 |accessdate=2013-05-11}}</ref> On May 10, 2013, it was announced that the film would be co-financed ] and ] and that the film would be distributed by Universal Pictures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=104120 |title=Universal and MRC Board Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date= |accessdate=2013-05-11}}</ref>
''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' originated as an inside joke between MacFarlane and co-writers Sulkin and Wild,<ref name="variety1"/> while they were watching '']'' (1968).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://media.amillionways.com/A_MILLION_WAYS_TO_DIE_IN_THE_WEST_Biography.pdf |title=A Million Ways to Die in the West Biographies |access-date=June 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602083811/http://media.amillionways.com/A_MILLION_WAYS_TO_DIE_IN_THE_WEST_Biography.pdf |archive-date=June 2, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The joke evolved into "riffing on the idea of how dull, depressing, and dangerous it must have been to live in the Wild West."<ref name="variety1"/> MacFarlane, a lifelong fan of westerns, began researching the topic, using Jeff Guinn's nonfiction novel, ''The Last Gunfight: The Real Story of the Shootout at the O.K. Corral—And How It Changed the American West'' as an "invaluable resource," and basis for many of the ways of dying in the film.<ref name="variety1"/> Various aspects of the film were inspired by western films. The decision to make Albert a sheepherder was inspired by '']'' (1950) and his average, non-confrontational demeanor by '']'' (1957).<ref name="RS"/> Other westerns that inspired MacFarlane and the crew during writing included '']'' (1955), '']'' (1962), and '']'' (1966).<ref name=RS>{{cite journal | author=David Fear | date =June 5, 2014 | title =The Cowboy Flicks That Shaped Seth MacFarlane | journal =]| issue =1210 | page =18 | publisher =] ]| location =] | issn =0035-791X }}</ref> The film was first announced on December 3, 2012, marking MacFarlane's second foray into live-action directing, after 2012's '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=97676 | title=Seth MacFarlane Finds A Million Ways to Die in the West | publisher=] | date=December 3, 2012 | access-date=May 11, 2013 | archive-date=January 11, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111145254/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=97676 | url-status=dead }}</ref> ] was hired to work on the film's visual effects.


===Casting===
According to ], the film began filming in early May 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=The New Mexico Film Office Announces “A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST” to film in New Mexico|url=http://www.nmfilm.com/uploads/PressRelease/b3d3607ac74e4ab79d3032138ece88d3/A_MILLION_WAYS_TO_DIE_IN_THE_WEST_5.pdf|accessdate=9 May 2013}}</ref> Filming locations include areas in ],<ref>{{cite web|last=MacFarlane|first=Seth|url=https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/326865846918078464|title=Twitter|accessdate=9 May 2013}}</ref> including the Santa Fe Studio.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/05/12/entertainment/starstudded-nm-offers-tv-series-movies-new-incentives.html |newspaper=] |title=Star-studded N.M. offers TV series, movies new incentives |first=Adrian |last=Gomez |date=May 12, 2013 }}</ref>
On January 30, 2013, it was announced that ] had joined the film.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=99571 | title=Charlize Theron Eyes A Million Ways to Die in the West | website=ComingSoon.net | date=January 30, 2013 | access-date=May 11, 2013 | archive-date=February 3, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203102731/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=99571 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Theron later revealed that she "begged" for her role, as she wanted the opportunity to work in comedy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charlize Theron 'begged' for a part in comedy western 'A Million Ways To Die In The West'|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/charlize-theron-begged-for-a-part-in-comedy-western-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-30328653.html|newspaper=]|access-date=June 6, 2014|date=June 4, 2014}}</ref> On February 11, it was announced ] had joined the film.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=100224 | title=Amanda Seyfried Finds A Million Ways to Die in the West | website=ComingSoon.net | date=February 11, 2013 | access-date=May 11, 2013 | archive-date=February 15, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215043529/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=100224 | url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 6, it was announced ] and ] had joined the film.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101202 | title=Giovanni Ribisi and Liam Neeson Find A Million Ways to Die in the West | website=ComingSoon.net | date=March 6, 2013 | access-date=May 11, 2013 | archive-date=March 10, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310060016/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101202 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Neeson, who nearly always suppresses his ] when acting, agreed to play the part of Clinch only on the condition that he could use his Irish accent. In an interview on '']'', Neeson remarked that he made this demand because an episode of MacFarlane's '']'' had previously made a joke out of the juxtaposition of Neeson playing a cowboy with an Irish accent.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/liam-neeson-admits-he-blushed-reading-million-ways-die-west-2D79680936 | title=Liam Neeson admits he blushed reading 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' script|first=Anna|last=Chan | publisher=Today | date=May 19, 2014 | access-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref>
On March 18, it was announced that ] was cast to play a prostitute in the film.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101689 | title=Sarah Silverman Eyes A Million Ways to Die in the West | website=ComingSoon.net | date=March 18, 2013 | access-date=May 11, 2013 | archive-date=March 22, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322024651/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101689 | url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 10, it was announced that the film would be co-financed by ] and ], along with ] and distributed by ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=104120 | title=Universal and MRC Board Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West | website=ComingSoon.net | access-date=May 11, 2013 | archive-date=June 12, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612050441/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=104120 | url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 11, 2013, it was announced that ] had joined the film.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=Vulture | url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/05/neil-patrick-harris-joins-macfarlanes-western.html | title=Neil Patrick Harris Joins Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West | first=Jesse David | last=Fox | date=May 11, 2013 }}</ref> On May 29, 2013, MacFarlane announced that ] had joined the cast.<ref name="billmaher" /> On February 21, 2014, he announced that ] had also joined the cast.<ref name="gilbert"/>


== References == ===Filming===
] began on May 6, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-51313-melissa-mccarthy-co-directing-tammy-for-new-line-cinema-low-down-ghosts-of-the-pacific/|title=On The Set For 5/13/13: Melissa McCarthy Co-Directing 'Tammy' For New Line Cinema...'Low Down,' Ghosts of the Pacific'|publisher=Studio System News|date=May 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Heisel, Angela|title=The New Mexico Film Office Announces "A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST" to film in New Mexico|url=http://www.nmfilm.com/uploads/PressRelease/b3d3607ac74e4ab79d3032138ece88d3/A_MILLION_WAYS_TO_DIE_IN_THE_WEST_5.pdf|publisher=New Mexico Film Office|date=April 3, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628054226/http://www.nmfilm.com/uploads/PressRelease/b3d3607ac74e4ab79d3032138ece88d3/A_MILLION_WAYS_TO_DIE_IN_THE_WEST_5.pdf|archive-date=June 28, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Filming locations included various areas in and around Albuquerque, ],<ref>{{cite web|last=MacFarlane|first=Seth|url=https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/326865846918078464|title=Filming A Million Ways to Die in the West. Fun being in a climate where you have to drink 9,000 glasses of water a day or you drop dead.|publisher=Twitter|date=April 23, 2013}}</ref> also including the Santa Fe Studio in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/05/12/entertainment/starstudded-nm-offers-tv-series-movies-new-incentives.html |newspaper=] |title=Star-studded N.M. offers TV series, movies new incentives |first=Adrian |last=Gomez |date=May 12, 2013 }}</ref> Principal photography ended on August 9, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author=MacFarlane, Seth|url=https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/366026074754269184|title=Last day of filming on A Million Ways to Die in the West – thanks to a cast and crew as talented as they are tireless.|publisher=Twitter|date=August 9, 2013}}</ref> The film shoot was difficult, as the cast and crew navigated rough weather: "everything from hailstorms to blistering heat to arctic winds and torrential rainstorms."<ref name="variety1">{{cite web |title=Seth MacFarlane on 'Million Ways to Die' and Taking Projects That 'Terrify' Him|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/seth-macfarlence-on-million-ways-to-die-and-taking-projects-that-terrify-him-1201166061/|work=] |date=April 29, 2014 |author= Alexandra Cheney |access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>
{{Reflist|2}}


==Soundtrack==
== External links ==
{{Infobox album
| name = A Million Ways to Die in the West
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = ]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = May 27, 2014
| recorded = 2014
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = ]
| length = 41:20
| label = Back Lot Music
| producer =
| chronology = ] film scores
| prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = ]
| next_year = 2014
}}
The ] was composed by ]. The soundtrack was released by Back Lot Music on May 27, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2014/05/13/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-soundtrack-details/ |title='A Million Ways to Die in the West' Soundtrack Details |work=Film Music Reporter |date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=May 22, 2014}}</ref> The theme song "A Million Ways to Die" is performed by ]. It was released as a single on April 29, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Staskiewicz |first=Keith|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2014/04/28/seth-macfarlane-alan-jackson-a-million-ways-to-die-song/ |title=Seth MacFarlane's galloping theme song for 'A Million Ways to Die in the West': Hear the Alan Jackson tune|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 28, 2014}}</ref> A portion of the '']'' theme by ] is used during ]'s cameo.<ref name="MillionWaysProductionNotes"/> Near the end of the movie, the refrain of "]" by ] is used as a fictional "Muslim Death Chant."<ref>{{Citation|title=A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)|website= IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2557490/soundtrack|access-date=2019-11-28}}</ref>

; Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_music = ], except as noted
| total_length = 41:20
| title1 = A Million Ways to Die
| note1 = performed by ]
| length1 = 2:27

| title2 = Main Title
| note2 =
| length2 = 2:33

| title3 = Missing Louise
| note3 =
| length3 = 2:08

| title4 = Old Stump
| length4 = 0:45

| title5 = Saloon Brawl
| length5 = 1:50

| title6 = Rattlesnake Ridge
| length6 = 1:28

| title7 = People Die at the Fair
| length7 = 2:11

| title8 = The Shooting Lesson
| length8 = 2:16

| title9 = The Barn Dance
| length9 = 2:29

| title10 = If You've Only Got a Moustache
| note10 = composed by ], performed by ]
| length10 = 1:31

| title11 = Anna and Albert
| length11 = 4:19

| title12 = Clinch Hunts Albert
| length12 = 3:41

| title13 = Racing the Train
| note13 =
| length13 = 2:21

| title14 = Captured by Cochise
| length14 = 2:07

| title15 = Albert Takes a Trip
| length15 = 2:24

| title16 = The Showdown
| length16 = 2:20

| title17 = Sheep to the Horizon
| length17 = 2:00

| title18 = End Title Suite
| length18 = 2:30
}}

==Release==
On May 16, 2014, the film had its world premiere at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web | last=Taylor | first=Amanda | url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/05/10/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-release/ | title='A Million Ways to Die in the West' gets summer 2014 release date | newspaper=] | access-date=May 11, 2013 | date=May 10, 2013 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070556/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/05/10/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-release/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Keegan|first1=Rebecca|title=Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron find common ground in 'West'|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-ca-macfarlane-theron-wild-20140525-story.html|access-date=December 7, 2014|work=]|date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> The film was later released nationwide on May 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Couch|first1=Aaron|title=First Look at Seth MacFarlane's 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' Revealed (Photo)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/first-look-at-seth-macfarlanes-668300|access-date=December 7, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 2, 2014}}</ref> The film was produced by ], ], and Bluegrass Films and distributed by ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mrcstudios.com/film/14 | access-date=May 26, 2013 | title=A Million Ways to Die in the West | publisher=Media Rights Capital | archive-date=September 5, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905110333/http://www.mrcstudios.com/film/14 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Collura | first=Scott | title=Sarah Silverman for MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West | url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/18/sarah-silverman-joining-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west | website=IGN | date=March 18, 2013 | access-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

===Marketing===
On January 27, 2014, MacFarlane announced that he wrote a ] based on the film's script, which was released on March 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/427885951373688832 |title=For anyone who still reads |date=January 27, 2014|author=MacFarlane, Seth|publisher=Twitter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gibson |first=Megan |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2014/01/28/seth-macfarlane-writes-his-first-novel/ |title=Seth MacFarlane Writes His First Novel|newspaper=]|date=January 28, 2014}}</ref> An audio-book version was also made available, narrated by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.randomhouse.com/book/239555/seth-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-by-seth-macfarlane |title=Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West|publisher=]|access-date=May 27, 2014}}</ref> MacFarlane wrote the book on weekends during shooting for the film, partially due to boredom.<ref name="variety1"/>

===Home media===
''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' was released via ] and ] on October 7, 2014 by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/A-Million-Ways-to-Die-in-the-West-Blu-ray/105043/ |title=A Million Ways to Die in the West Blu-ray |publisher=Blu-ray.com |access-date=2014-07-20}}</ref> The Blu-ray release contains an unrated version (135 minutes), along with the original theatrical cut (116 minutes). In the United States, the film has grossed $8,336,420 from DVD sales and $6,739,162 from Blu-ray sales, making a total of $15,075,582.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Million Ways to Die in The West&nbsp;– Summary|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Million-Ways-to-Die-in-the-West-A#tab=summary|website=]|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
The film grossed $43.1 million in North America and $43.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $86.4 million, against its $40 million budget.<ref name="mojo" />

It grossed $16.8 million in its opening weekend, finishing in third place at the box office behind fellow newcomer '']'' and the previous weekend's opener '']''.<ref name="mojo" /> This was below expectations of $26 million.<ref name="mojo3849">{{cite web | title = Forecast: 'Maleficent' Set to Reign On Final Weekend of May | author = Ray Subers | date = May 29, 2014 | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3849&p=.htm | work = ] | access-date = June 12, 2014 | quote = Universal is expecting low $20 millions <!-- article table specifies $26 million --> }}</ref> In its second weekend, the film dropped to number five, grossing an additional $7.3 million.<ref name="boxofficemojo1">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=23&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for June 6-8, 2014 |work= ] |access-date=2014-06-17}}</ref> In its third weekend, the film dropped to number eight, grossing $3.2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=24&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for June 13-15, 2014 |work = ] |access-date=2014-06-15}}</ref> In its fourth weekend, the film dropped to number 11, grossing $1.6 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=25&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for June 20-22, 2014 |website=Box Office Mojo |date=2014-03-07 |access-date=2014-07-04}}</ref>

===Critical response===
''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' received <!-- DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON TALK PAGE -->mixed<!-- DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON TALK PAGE --> reviews from critics.<ref name="Metacritic" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Faughnder |first=Ryan |title='Maleficent' likely to curse 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-maleficent-20140528-story.html |newspaper=] |access-date=June 12, 2014 |date=May 29, 2014 |quote=both be hampered by mixed to negative reviews from critics}}</ref> Review aggregation website ] gave the film a 33% rating based on 212 reviews, with an average score of 4.90/10. The site's consensus states, "While it offers a few laughs and boasts a talented cast, Seth MacFarlane's overlong, aimless ''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' is a disappointingly scattershot affair."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_million_ways_to_die_in_the_west/ |title=A Million Ways to Die in the West |publisher=] ] |access-date=June 5, 2024}}</ref> Another review aggregation website, ], gave a score of 44 out of 100, based on reviews from 43 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west |title=A Million Ways to Die in the West Reviews |publisher=] ] |access-date=May 30, 2014}}</ref> Audiences surveyed by ] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale; opening weekend demographics were 55% male and 72% over 25 years of age.<ref name="mojo3851">{{cite web |title=Weekend Report: 'Maleficent' Casts Box Office Spell, 'Million Ways' Dies |author=Ray Subers |date=June 1, 2014 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3851&p=.htm |work=] |access-date=June 12, 2014}}</ref><!-- Do not add user voted web polls, such as IMDb, they are not reliable sources. -->

Claudia Puig's review in '']'' was largely positive, writing, "A Western with a contemporary sensibility and dialogue that sounds markedly modern, ''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' is quintessential MacFarlane, at once silly and witty, juvenile and clever."<ref name="usa">{{cite web |title='A Million Ways to Die' (laughing) in the West|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/05/29/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-review/8324917/|work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Claudia Puig|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Stephen Holden's review in '']'' was mainly neutral, calling the film "a live-action spinoff of '']'', with different characters."<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |title=A Frontier Farce From the Guy Behind 'Family Guy'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/movies/seth-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.html?hpw&rref=movies|work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Stephen Holden|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> "While the whole thing feels weirdly miscalculated to me, ''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' tweaks the formula just enough, delivers a few laughs and keeps the guest stars coming," wrote ] columnist Andrew O'Hehir.<ref name="sl">{{cite web |title="A Million Ways to Die in the West": How Seth MacFarlane became the new Adam Sandler|url=http://www.salon.com/2014/05/29/a_million_ways_to_die_in_the_west_how_seth_macfarlane_became_the_new_adam_sandler/|work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Andrew O'Hehir|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Rafer Guzman of '']'' found the film amusing, calling it "another example of MacFarlane's ability to mix poop jokes with romance, foul language with sweet sentiment, offensive humor with boyish charm."<ref name="nd">{{cite web |title='A Million Ways to Die in the West' review: Crass but funny|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-review-crass-but-funny-1.8236467|work=] |date=May 28, 2014 |author=Rafer Guzman|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>

Scott Mendelson of '']'' commended MacFarlane's decision to make an unconventional western comedy, but summarized the film as "just ambitious enough for that to be genuinely disappointing."<ref name="fb">{{cite web |title=Review: Seth MacFarlane's 'A Million Ways To Die In The West' Shoots Blanks|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2014/05/29/review-seth-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-shoots-blanks/ |work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Scott Mendelson|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Michael O'Sullivan at '']'' was mixed, deeming the film a "broad, wildly hit-or-miss satire," remarking that he found few of the jokes in the film funny.<ref name="wp">{{cite news |title='A Million Ways to Die in the West' movie review|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-movie-review/2014/05/28/a23f7314-e67a-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html|newspaper=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Michael O'Sullivan|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> "Spiritually, it's closer to a mid-range crowd-pleaser such as '']'' than '']'', too enamoured of genre convention to reach for the comic dynamite," wrote Mike McCahill at '']''.<ref name="gu">{{cite web |title=A Million Ways to Die in the West review – more City Slickers than Blazing Saddles|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/29/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-review-seth-macfarlane|work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Mike McCahill|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>

Michael Phillips of the '']'' criticized MacFarlane's acting and direction as: "A failure of craft. He can't direct action, or even handle scenery well. He can't set up a visual joke properly without resorting to head-butting and bone-crunching, and he doesn't know how, or when, to move his camera. He's not good enough as a romantic lead to anchor a picture."<ref name="tribunereview">{{cite web |title=Review: 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' 1/2 star|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-million-ways-die-in-west-review-20140529,0,3480249.column |work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Michael Phillips |access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Richard Corliss of '']'' called the film a "sagebrush comedy whose visual grandeur and appealing actors get polluted by some astonishingly lazy writing."<ref name="timereview">{{cite magazine |title=REVIEW: A Million Ways to Die in the West, but Few Ways to Laugh|url=https://time.com/122945/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-movie-review/ |magazine=] |date=May 28, 2014 |author=Richard Corliss|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Scott Foundas of '']'' found the film "overlong and uninspired," criticizing the film's "lazy writing," and MacFarlane's "surprisingly bland" comic performance.<ref name="variety">{{cite web |title=Film Review: 'A Million Ways to Die in the West'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-1201194566/|work=] |date=May 28, 2014 |author=Scott Foundas|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>

Rene Rodriguez of the '']'' gave the film one star, commenting, "There are enough laughs scattered throughout ''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' that while you're watching it, the movie seems like a passable comedy. By the time you get home, though, you can barely remember the jokes."<ref name="mh">{{cite web |title='A Million Ways to Die in the West'|url=http://www.miami.com/039a-million-ways-die-west039-r-article|work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Rene Rodriguez|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> John DeFore of '']'' criticized the film's running time: "Though the film is hardly laugh-free, its uneven jokes appear to have breezed through a very forgiving editing process."<ref name="hr">{{cite web |title='A Million Ways to Die in the West': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/a-million-ways-die-west-707135|work=] |date=May 28, 2014 |author=John DeFore|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Joe Morgenstern of '']'' too found the film's length "exhausting," noting, "Some of it sputters, settling for smiles instead of laughs, and much of it flounders while the slapdash script searches for ever more common denominators in toilet humor."<ref name="wsj">{{cite web |title='We Are the Best!': Delicious Discord in the Key of Life|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/movie-reviews-we-are-the-best-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-and-maleficent-1401386389?tesla=y&mg=reno64-wsj&url=https://www.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303318504579591784177448764.html|work=] |date=May 29, 2014 |author=Joe Morgensternn|access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Date of ceremony
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Recipients
! scope="col" | Result
|- style="border-top:2px solid gray;"
|-
| ]<ref name=Noms>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/594634/jennifer-lawrence-shailene-woodley-and-robert-downey-jr-among-people-s-choice-nominees-plus-find-out-who-s-hosting |title=Jennifer Lawrence, Shailene Woodley and Robert Downey Jr. Among People's Choice Nominees, Plus Find Out Who's Hosting! |last=Toomey |first=Alyssa |date=November 4, 2014 |work=E! Online |access-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref>
| ]
| Favorite Comedic Movie Actress
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://filmmusiccritics.org/2015/02/ifmca-award-winners-2014//|title=IFMCA: the International Film Music Critics Association » IFMCA Winners 2014|date=February 19, 2015 |publisher=Filmmusiccritics.org |access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
| February 19, 2015
| Best Original Score for a Comedy Film
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |]<ref name=Razzies>{{cite news|url=http://www.razzies.com/history/2015/2015-noms-press-release.html|title=RAZZIES® Celebrate 35 Years of Worst Achievements in Film with Inclusive Nominee List ...and New "Redeemer" Award|access-date=January 14, 2015|work=Golden Raspberry Award Foundation}}</ref>
| rowspan="4" |]
| ]
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| Charlize Theron
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| Seth MacFarlane
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron
| {{nom}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Portal|Film|United States|2010s}}
* {{Official website|http://www.universalstudiosentertainment.com/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west/}}
* {{IMDb title|2557490|A Million Ways to Die in the West}} * {{IMDb title|2557490|A Million Ways to Die in the West}}
* {{mojo title|millionwaystodie|A Million Ways to Die in the West}} * {{Mojo title|millionwaystodie|A Million Ways to Die in the West}}
* at the ] * {{Rotten-tomatoes|a_million_ways_to_die_in_the_west|A Million Ways to Die in the West}}
* at the ] * {{Metacritic film|title=A Million Ways to Die in the West}}


{{Seth MacFarlane}} {{Seth MacFarlane}}
{{Fuzzy Door Productions}} {{Fuzzy Door Productions}}
{{Scott Stuber}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 04:29, 13 December 2024

2014 film by Seth MacFarlane

A Million Ways to Die in the West
Three people dressed in Western style. On the left in the background a man dressed in dark colors with a gun held high. In the center a man in a blue shirt with a brown waistcoat, and behind him to his right a blonde womanTheatrical release poster
Directed bySeth MacFarlane
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Barrett
Edited byJeff Freeman
Music byJoel McNeely
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
Running time116 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$40 million
Box office$87.2 million

A Million Ways to Die in the West is a 2014 American Western comedy film directed by Seth MacFarlane and written by MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. The film features an ensemble cast including MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, and Liam Neeson. The film follows a cowardly frontiersman who gains courage with the help of a female gunfighter and must use his newfound skills in a confrontation with her villainous outlaw husband.

Development began while MacFarlane and co-writers Sulkin and Wild were watching Western movies during the development of Ted (2012). Casting was done between December 2012 and March 2013. Filming began on May 6, 2013, in various locations in New Mexico including Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and it concluded on August 9 that year. Joel McNeely composed the score.

The film was released on May 30, 2014, in the United States, and distributed worldwide by Universal Pictures. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with criticism for its length, screenplay, humor and MacFarlane's performance and directing.

Plot

In 1882, in the town of Old Stump, Arizona, timid sheep farmer Albert Stark's girlfriend, Louise, breaks up with him because of his refusal to defend himself in a duel. He prepares to migrate to San Francisco, believing that the frontier offers nothing for him.

Meanwhile, infamous outlaw Clinch Leatherwood shoots and kills an old prospector over a single gold nugget. He orders his right-hand man Lewis to escort his wife Anna to Old Stump while he continues his banditry.

Lewis and Anna arrive in Old Stump under the guise of siblings looking to build a farm, but he is arrested for shooting the pastor's son in a saloon fight. During the brawl, Albert saves Anna from being crushed to death; they become close friends.

Attending the county fair, Louise's arrogant new boyfriend Foy challenges Albert to a shooting contest. Albert loses, but Anna steps in and defeats him. He publicly humiliates Albert, who impulsively challenges Foy to a duel the next day. Knowing that Albert would lose to Foy, Anna suggests that they duel in a week's time to win back Louise. Anna then spends the week teaching Albert how to shoot.

During a barn dance the night before the duel, Anna slips something into Foy's whiskey. After leaving the dance, Albert and she kiss before heading home. After breaking out of jail and murdering the sheriff, Lewis observes their kiss and reports it to Clinch. On the day of the duel, Foy arrives late and has severe diarrhea from the laxative he had unknowingly ingested.

Albert, who has decided that Louise is not worth fighting for, forfeits anyway. He retires to the saloon, but Clinch arrives and reveals that Anna is his wife, threatening to kill more people unless his wife's lover duels him the next day.

Later, Clinch confronts Anna by demanding that she reveal Albert's name and his whereabouts, or he will kill Plugger, the old prospector's dog that Anna befriended after the old prospector's death. He tries to rape her, but she knocks him unconscious with a rock and escapes.

Anna returns to Albert's farm to warn him about Clinch, but Albert chastises her for lying to him. Clinch, having regained consciousness, tracks her down to the farm, but Albert helps her escape; he then escapes himself.

While fleeing, Albert is captured by a tribe of Apaches, who threaten to burn him alive. They spare him when he reveals that he can speak their language. They give him a bowl of peyote, which he drinks in its entirety, sending him flashing back to his birth and through painful events of his childhood before a vision of Anna makes him realize he loves her.

Meanwhile, Clinch recaptures Anna in town, but Albert returns to Old Stump and confronts him. He wounds Clinch with a bullet dipped in rattlesnake venom before his own gun is shot out of his hand but Albert stalls until Clinch dies. Louise attempts to win back Albert, but he rejects her and instead happily enters into a relationship with Anna. He also receives a bounty for killing Clinch, so he uses the money to buy more sheep.

In the post-credits scene, Django Freeman arrives to challenge the offensive "Runaway Slave" game at the town fair's shooting gallery, but instead shoots the owner.

Cast

  • Seth MacFarlane as Albert Stark, a wimpy but kind-hearted sheepherder
    • Mike Salazar as 6-year-old Albert
    • Preston Bailey as 12-year-old Albert
  • Charlize Theron as Anna Barnes-Leatherwood, Clinch Leatherwood's rebellious wife, who befriends Albert
  • Amanda Seyfried as Louise, Albert's unappreciative ex-girlfriend
  • Liam Neeson as Clinch Leatherwood, a notorious outlaw and Anna's abusive husband
  • Giovanni Ribisi as Edward, a cobbler, Albert's best friend and Ruth's boyfriend
  • Neil Patrick Harris as Foy, a rich, snobby Old Stump inhabitant and Louise's current boyfriend
  • Sarah Silverman as Ruth, Edward's girlfriend and a prostitute
  • Christopher Hagen as George Stark, Albert's abusive father
  • Jean Effron as Elsie Stark, Albert's mother
  • Wes Studi as Chief Cochise, the leader of a band of Apache Indians
  • Rex Linn as the Sheriff/Narrator
  • Alex Borstein as Millie, a madam at the local brothel where Ruth works
  • Ralph Garman as Dan
  • John Aylward as Pastor Wilson
  • Amick Byram as Marcus Thornton
  • Evan Jones as Lewis, a ruthlessly violent gunman and Clinch Leatherwood's right-hand man
  • Dylan Kenin as Pastor's Son, who is killed by Lewis in the bar
  • Matt Clark as the Old Prospector, an unfortunate victim of Clinch's gang

Cameos

Production

Development

A Million Ways to Die in the West originated as an inside joke between MacFarlane and co-writers Sulkin and Wild, while they were watching Hang 'Em High (1968). The joke evolved into "riffing on the idea of how dull, depressing, and dangerous it must have been to live in the Wild West." MacFarlane, a lifelong fan of westerns, began researching the topic, using Jeff Guinn's nonfiction novel, The Last Gunfight: The Real Story of the Shootout at the O.K. Corral—And How It Changed the American West as an "invaluable resource," and basis for many of the ways of dying in the film. Various aspects of the film were inspired by western films. The decision to make Albert a sheepherder was inspired by Montana (1950) and his average, non-confrontational demeanor by 3:10 to Yuma (1957). Other westerns that inspired MacFarlane and the crew during writing included Oklahoma! (1955), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), and El Dorado (1966). The film was first announced on December 3, 2012, marking MacFarlane's second foray into live-action directing, after 2012's Ted. Tippett Studio was hired to work on the film's visual effects.

Casting

On January 30, 2013, it was announced that Charlize Theron had joined the film. Theron later revealed that she "begged" for her role, as she wanted the opportunity to work in comedy. On February 11, it was announced Amanda Seyfried had joined the film. On March 6, it was announced Liam Neeson and Giovanni Ribisi had joined the film. Neeson, who nearly always suppresses his Irish accent when acting, agreed to play the part of Clinch only on the condition that he could use his Irish accent. In an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Neeson remarked that he made this demand because an episode of MacFarlane's Family Guy had previously made a joke out of the juxtaposition of Neeson playing a cowboy with an Irish accent. On March 18, it was announced that Sarah Silverman was cast to play a prostitute in the film. On May 10, it was announced that the film would be co-financed by Media Rights Capital and Fuzzy Door Productions, along with Bluegrass Films and distributed by Universal Studios. On May 11, 2013, it was announced that Neil Patrick Harris had joined the film. On May 29, 2013, MacFarlane announced that Bill Maher had joined the cast. On February 21, 2014, he announced that Gilbert Gottfried had also joined the cast.

Filming

Principal photography began on May 6, 2013. Filming locations included various areas in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, also including the Santa Fe Studio in Santa Fe. Principal photography ended on August 9, 2013. The film shoot was difficult, as the cast and crew navigated rough weather: "everything from hailstorms to blistering heat to arctic winds and torrential rainstorms."

Soundtrack

A Million Ways to Die in the West
Soundtrack album by Joel McNeely
ReleasedMay 27, 2014
Recorded2014
GenreFilm score
Length41:20
LabelBack Lot Music
Joel McNeely film scores chronology
The Pirate Fairy
(2014)
A Million Ways to Die in the West
(2014)
Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast
(2014)

The score was composed by Joel McNeely. The soundtrack was released by Back Lot Music on May 27, 2014. The theme song "A Million Ways to Die" is performed by Alan Jackson. It was released as a single on April 29, 2014. A portion of the Back to the Future theme by Alan Silvestri is used during Christopher Lloyd's cameo. Near the end of the movie, the refrain of "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora is used as a fictional "Muslim Death Chant."

Track listing

All music is composed by Joel McNeely, except as noted

No.TitleLength
1."A Million Ways to Die" (performed by Alan Jackson)2:27
2."Main Title"2:33
3."Missing Louise"2:08
4."Old Stump"0:45
5."Saloon Brawl"1:50
6."Rattlesnake Ridge"1:28
7."People Die at the Fair"2:11
8."The Shooting Lesson"2:16
9."The Barn Dance"2:29
10."If You've Only Got a Moustache" (composed by Stephen Foster, performed by Amick Byram)1:31
11."Anna and Albert"4:19
12."Clinch Hunts Albert"3:41
13."Racing the Train"2:21
14."Captured by Cochise"2:07
15."Albert Takes a Trip"2:24
16."The Showdown"2:20
17."Sheep to the Horizon"2:00
18."End Title Suite"2:30
Total length:41:20

Release

On May 16, 2014, the film had its world premiere at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles. The film was later released nationwide on May 30, 2014. The film was produced by Media Rights Capital, Fuzzy Door Productions, and Bluegrass Films and distributed by Universal Pictures.

Marketing

On January 27, 2014, MacFarlane announced that he wrote a companion novel based on the film's script, which was released on March 4, 2014. An audio-book version was also made available, narrated by Jonathan Frakes. MacFarlane wrote the book on weekends during shooting for the film, partially due to boredom.

Home media

A Million Ways to Die in the West was released via DVD and Blu-ray on October 7, 2014 by Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray release contains an unrated version (135 minutes), along with the original theatrical cut (116 minutes). In the United States, the film has grossed $8,336,420 from DVD sales and $6,739,162 from Blu-ray sales, making a total of $15,075,582.

Reception

Box office

The film grossed $43.1 million in North America and $43.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $86.4 million, against its $40 million budget.

It grossed $16.8 million in its opening weekend, finishing in third place at the box office behind fellow newcomer Maleficent and the previous weekend's opener X-Men: Days of Future Past. This was below expectations of $26 million. In its second weekend, the film dropped to number five, grossing an additional $7.3 million. In its third weekend, the film dropped to number eight, grossing $3.2 million. In its fourth weekend, the film dropped to number 11, grossing $1.6 million.

Critical response

A Million Ways to Die in the West received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 33% rating based on 212 reviews, with an average score of 4.90/10. The site's consensus states, "While it offers a few laughs and boasts a talented cast, Seth MacFarlane's overlong, aimless A Million Ways to Die in the West is a disappointingly scattershot affair." Another review aggregation website, Metacritic, gave a score of 44 out of 100, based on reviews from 43 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale; opening weekend demographics were 55% male and 72% over 25 years of age.

Claudia Puig's review in USA Today was largely positive, writing, "A Western with a contemporary sensibility and dialogue that sounds markedly modern, A Million Ways to Die in the West is quintessential MacFarlane, at once silly and witty, juvenile and clever." Stephen Holden's review in The New York Times was mainly neutral, calling the film "a live-action spinoff of Family Guy, with different characters." "While the whole thing feels weirdly miscalculated to me, A Million Ways to Die in the West tweaks the formula just enough, delivers a few laughs and keeps the guest stars coming," wrote Salon columnist Andrew O'Hehir. Rafer Guzman of Newsday found the film amusing, calling it "another example of MacFarlane's ability to mix poop jokes with romance, foul language with sweet sentiment, offensive humor with boyish charm."

Scott Mendelson of Forbes commended MacFarlane's decision to make an unconventional western comedy, but summarized the film as "just ambitious enough for that to be genuinely disappointing." Michael O'Sullivan at The Washington Post was mixed, deeming the film a "broad, wildly hit-or-miss satire," remarking that he found few of the jokes in the film funny. "Spiritually, it's closer to a mid-range crowd-pleaser such as City Slickers than Blazing Saddles, too enamoured of genre convention to reach for the comic dynamite," wrote Mike McCahill at The Guardian.

Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune criticized MacFarlane's acting and direction as: "A failure of craft. He can't direct action, or even handle scenery well. He can't set up a visual joke properly without resorting to head-butting and bone-crunching, and he doesn't know how, or when, to move his camera. He's not good enough as a romantic lead to anchor a picture." Richard Corliss of Time called the film a "sagebrush comedy whose visual grandeur and appealing actors get polluted by some astonishingly lazy writing." Scott Foundas of Variety found the film "overlong and uninspired," criticizing the film's "lazy writing," and MacFarlane's "surprisingly bland" comic performance.

Rene Rodriguez of the Miami Herald gave the film one star, commenting, "There are enough laughs scattered throughout A Million Ways to Die in the West that while you're watching it, the movie seems like a passable comedy. By the time you get home, though, you can barely remember the jokes." John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter criticized the film's running time: "Though the film is hardly laugh-free, its uneven jokes appear to have breezed through a very forgiving editing process." Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal too found the film's length "exhausting," noting, "Some of it sputters, settling for smiles instead of laughs, and much of it flounders while the slapdash script searches for ever more common denominators in toilet humor."

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result
People's Choice Award January 7, 2015 Favorite Comedic Movie Actress Charlize Theron Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award February 19, 2015 Best Original Score for a Comedy Film Joel McNeely Nominated
Golden Raspberry Awards February 21, 2015 Worst Actor Seth MacFarlane Nominated
Worst Actress Charlize Theron Nominated
Worst Director Seth MacFarlane Nominated
Worst Screen Combo Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron Nominated

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External links

Seth MacFarlane
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See also
Fuzzy Door Productions
Seth MacFarlane
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Films produced by Scott Stuber
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