A Preview of ‘The English’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say that America has a love affair with the Western. For this type of story has permeated the entertainment landscape for ages on end and that is just incredible. Simply because so many genres ebb and flow with the times or fade from the landscape when they no longer enchant the public. But even in this era of big-time blockbusters and where any story can be told on television, the Western continues to thrive, and it genuinely makes sense as to why. Because it is just fascinating to know… that there was an era in American history, where a good chunk of the nation and the nation to be, was lawless and ultra-violent and outright chaotic.

Which is why the lens of the Western is so incredibly intoxicating. Since it truly allows for the audience to experience the foreign feeling of a grandiose country in the raw, where the rules did not apply and where open territory was truly treated as such and following all of those elements, brought forth some iconic stories. The kind that spoke to the wonder and the horror of the frontier and leave us in awe that a sprawling nation came out of such chaos and well… the majesty and visceral nature of the Western and its legacy are top of mind today, simply because Prime Video is about to be host to a powerful and proper Western series, entitled, The English.

Which is a story that introduces us to a pair of unique characters on supremely different paths. For Cornelia Locke has traveled far and into the heart of the wild west in an effort to find violent closure to a harrowing time in her life and Eli Whipp, is a former Indigenous American Solider, one now free from his commitments to the United States Army and simply wants to find his own way in life. But a strange and chance encounter puts them on a path of unity and cooperation that will teach them a great deal about life, both good and bad and well… that is a brilliant setup to inject into a Western. Since it speaks to the nature of the frontier and how it was a place of dreams where anyone who arrived could achieve their goals with a little hard work and elbow grease. It just so happens that in this instance, the goal is revenge, allowing for the dark underbelly of the wild west to take the center stage and remind us of the savagery of this time and how people embraced the freedom of the frontier in the wrong way. 

But the story offers so much more than just a quality and engaging plot that slowly reveals truths and understanding regarding Cornelia’s plight and Eli’s journey. For this is a story that truly feels akin to the great Westerns of yesteryear. For it has that grand sense of adventure that always engages a viewer, and there are thrills and tension to be found and moments that evoke a sense of wondrous nostalgia. For there are visuals that immediately remind one of Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood’s visual work in the genre since some of the shots just take your breath away and fit here perfectly. Not to mention at times, the score feels akin to the late Ennio Morricone’s work. All of which speaks volumes to the care that writer/director Hugo Blick put into assembling this story and the talents of composer Frederico Jusid. 

But above all, what truly makes a Western worthwhile are compelling performances and those are found here as well. For Emily Blunt shines as Cornelia Locke, and sells the pain brewing within Cornelia’s soul, and Chaske Spencer is utterly wonderful as Eli Whipp and truly sells the conflicted nature of his character. And there are of course… some other actors that pop up here that will pleasantly surprise the viewer. Who exactly, we won’t spoil here, in fact… you’ve likely noticed that this has been a preview that is light on the details on rightfully so. Because this… like so many Westerns, is an experience. One that you need to enjoy firsthand and the best news of all, is that you don’t have to wait that much longer to do so. For The English arrives on Prime Video on 11/11/22, and we here at NTG hope you give it a look, because this really is a classic in the making, one that will stay with you long after the sun has set on Cornelia and Eli’s quest.

---