Review: Terror on the Prairie (2022)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Terror on the Prairie (2022) is a gritty, suspenseful western thriller that blends traditional cowboy elements with a tense survival story, offering an interesting mix of genres. Directed by Michael Polish, the film features Gina Carano in a strong performance as a frontierswoman battling not only the unforgiving environment of the American West but also the violent threats that lurk nearby. While the film delivers some solid action and atmosphere, it struggles with pacing and predictability, leaving it feeling like a missed opportunity to elevate the genre.

Set on the open plains of Montana in the 1800s, Terror on the Prairie follows Hattie (Gina Carano), a tough, independent woman who is living with her family on a remote homestead. When a group of ruthless outlaws led by a mysterious figure known as “The Kid” (played by Nick Searcy) targets her family, Hattie must use her wits and strength to protect her home and loved ones. As the tension builds, Hattie finds herself in a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly game of cat and mouse with the criminals, each moment more harrowing than the last.

Gina Carano’s performance is one of the strongest elements of the film. She portrays Hattie as a woman who is both physically capable and emotionally complex, deeply connected to her family and determined to fight for their survival. Carano’s portrayal brings a sense of authenticity to the role, showing her character’s vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Her raw physicality fits well within the harsh, survivalist setting of the film, and she commands attention every time she is on screen.

The action sequences, while not overly elaborate, are intense and grounded. The film embraces the gritty realism of its setting, focusing on the tension that arises when human survival instincts collide with the brutal landscape of the Wild West. Gunfights and showdowns are sparse but impactful, with the film opting for a slower, more suspenseful buildup. However, some viewers may find these moments a bit repeтιтive, with the same strategies and confrontations occurring multiple times throughout the film.

The cinematography captures the vastness and desolation of the Montana wilderness, which is one of the film’s strongest points. The sweeping sH๏τs of the rugged landscape enhance the isolation that Hattie feels, as well as the ever-present danger of being surrounded by enemies. The harsh, unforgiving terrain plays a role almost like an additional character in the story, shaping the struggles Hattie faces.

However, while Terror on the Prairie certainly has a strong setting and character, its plot can feel predictable and lacking in depth. The motivations of the antagonists, especially “The Kid,” are not fully explored, which diminishes their impact as a threat. They come across as one-dimensional villains, and the film misses the opportunity to delve into why they are so driven by violence. As a result, the stakes never quite feel as high as they should, and the tension falters as the story progresses.

The pacing is also a concern, as the film sometimes drags during the quieter moments. While there are attempts to build suspense, it occasionally feels like the plot is treading water. Some scenes could have been trimmed or reworked to keep the tension flowing more steadily, as a few sequences feel drawn out without adding much to the overall narrative.

The film’s score, composed by a minimalist arrangement, fits well within the western genre but doesn’t stand out as particularly memorable. It helps set the tone but never elevates the experience to the level of some of the great western soundtracks.

In conclusion, Terror on the Prairie is an interesting take on the western genre, combining survival horror with traditional cowboy elements. While Gina Carano’s strong performance and the atmospheric setting provide a solid foundation, the film struggles with pacing issues and a predictable plot. It’s an enjoyable watch for fans of the genre and those looking for a suspenseful survival story, but it doesn’t push the boundaries of the western thriller in any groundbreaking way. If you’re a fan of the genre or looking for a gritty, no-frills adventure, Terror on the Prairie will hold your attention, even if it doesn’t quite leave a lasting impression.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.