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Western documentary

Bisbee '17 (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Bisbee '17 (2018) movie poster

Bisbee '17 is a 2018 western documentary directed by Robert Greene, starring Mike Anderson, James West and Aaron Gain. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $117,470 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Stream it on Cineverse and Fandor, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$117.5K
Echo Score
88
Bisbee '17 (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Robert Greene
Genres
Western , Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bisbee '17 About?

The premise of Bisbee '17 without spoilers.

In the Arizona town of Bisbee, residents recreate the dramatic 1917 deportation of striking miners. These powerful reenactments explore a pivotal and divisive moment in the town’s history, prompting reflection on its complex legacy. The performances offer a poignant look at a community grappling with enduring controversy and seeking to understand the events of the past.

Bisbee '17 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • bisbee arizona
  • arizona territory
  • territory
  • deportation
  • worker
  • mining
  • labor union
  • labor
  • labor dispute
  • cochise county arizona
  • mining company
  • company
+38 more
  • new mexico desert
  • new mexico territory
  • arizona desert
  • company town
  • town
  • copper
  • class struggle
  • struggle
  • mexico arizona border
  • encampment
  • social class
  • reenactment
  • controversy
  • year 1917
  • labor strike
  • immigrant
  • desert
  • abandonment
  • mining town
  • begins with text
  • haunting
  • chapter headings
  • posse
  • world war one
  • sheriff
  • left to die
  • year 2017
  • bisbee high school
  • phelps dodge refining corporation
  • copper the metal
  • miner
  • high school auditorium
  • high school
  • cousin cousin relationship
  • family relationships
  • man wears eyeglasses
  • murder threat
  • train
Where to watch

Where to Watch Bisbee '17

Stream it on Cineverse and Fandor, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Bisbee '17 Cast

Mike Anderson leads the cast, with James West and Aaron Gain. Directed by Robert Greene; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Bisbee '17

· 8 more
Ratings

Bisbee '17 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bisbee '17 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (80).

88 /100

Bisbee '17 Echo Score Breakdown

Bisbee ’17 excels as an immersive documentary that merges reenactment and inquiry, delivering a potent reflection on collective memory and trauma. Reviews consistently highlight the film’s artful framing and inventive structure, noting that the staged restagings deepen thematic impact. While a few viewers found the blending of fact and performance somewhat distancing, the narrative remains compelling and thought-provoking. The balance of urgent subject matter with formal experimentation gives Bisbee ’17 lasting appeal and positions it as a distinctive entry in contemporary nonfiction cinema.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Bisbee ’17 showcases a bold formal design that blends documentary footage with staged sequences. The measured editing underscores shifts between past and present, while the production design recreates period detail with subtle authenticity. The direction employs an interdisciplinary approach that foregrounds collective performance. This careful combination of techniques results in a distinctive visual language that enhances the film’s investigatory ambition.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, Bisbee ’17 relies on the townspeople’s reenactments to provoke empathy and reflection. The amateur participants convey nuanced gestures that evoke both shame and collective responsibility, creating emotional resonance without relying on professional acting. Observations note that these performances deepen the historical perspective while acknowledging unhealed scars. Overall, the film’s focus on lived experience fosters a genuine emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 85

    Regarding story and flow, Bisbee ’17 presents an innovative nested narrative that interweaves reenactment with historical inquiry. The pacing moves deliberately, allowing viewers to absorb context before engaging with dramatic restagings. While some moments of experimentation slightly disrupt immersion, the film maintains coherence through thematic consistency. As a result, the original structure illuminates forgotten events and sustains engagement with its multi-layered approach.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    In terms of sensory experience, the film marries a restrained sound design with an evocative soundtrack and striking visual tableaux. The choice of an understated color palette reinforces the period setting, and occasional musical cues deepen the haunting atmosphere. The cinematography captures the desert landscape and interior performances with formal precision. Altogether, these elements cohere to create an immersive audio-visual environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    When considering rewatch factor, Bisbee ’17 offers layers of thematic complexity that reward subsequent viewings. The interplay between reenactment and analysis reveals new interpretive angles on each revisit, prompting fresh reflections on memory and accountability. Even if the formal experimentation feels familiar on repeat, the rich historical context retains its impact. This durability of ideas and structural nuance supports lasting appeal.

Box office

Bisbee '17 Box Office

Bisbee '17 grossed $117,470 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$117.5K

US & Canada
$117.5K
Videos

Bisbee '17 Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Bisbee '17.

Official Trailer
Details

Bisbee '17 Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “비스비 1917” and “比斯比十七”.

Also known as
  • 비스비 1917
  • 比斯比十七

Seen Bisbee '17?

FAQ

Bisbee '17 FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bisbee '17, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bisbee '17?

Bisbee '17 runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Bisbee '17 released?

Bisbee '17 was released on September 5, 2018.

Who directed Bisbee '17?

Bisbee '17 was directed by Robert Greene.

More films by Robert Greene

Who is in the cast of Bisbee '17?

Bisbee '17 stars Mike Anderson, James West and Aaron Gain, among 12 credited actors.

Where can I watch Bisbee '17?

In the US, Bisbee '17 is streaming on Cineverse, Fandor and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Bisbee '17 make at the box office?

Bisbee '17 grossed $117,470 worldwide.

How is Bisbee '17 rated?

Bisbee '17 has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Bisbee '17 have a post-credit scene?

No. Bisbee '17 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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