Watch Cockfighter

The movie Cockfighter is also known under the title Born to Kill. This movie is based off of a screenplay that was also called Cockfighter. The movie stars Warren Oats and Harry Dean Stanton. The movie begins in medias res. Frank who is one of the character is mute. He is locked inside of a trailer and is preparing his most promising cock (rooster) for an upcoming fight. He slices the beak of the bird so it looks cracked. He does this so people will beat against his cock. Frank has a lot at steak with this fight. He bet his girlfriends, trailer, and any money that he had left. The met was made with a fellow cockfighter named Jack. Frank’s bird looses the fight because of the crack that he put in its beak. Since he lost just about everything he is determined to win the cockfighter of the year award. Frank returns to his home town. He is reunited with his long time fiancee named Mary Elizabeth. She is tired of his cockfighting games and wants him to settle down and start a family with her. Frank leaves Mary in order to return to his fighting. He sells his family farm for money and invests that money in new cocks. He starts a partnership with a man named Omar. With the work and determination of both partners they make it all the way to the championship. There were many changes made when the movie was adapted from a novel into a film. One of the main characters in the story was cut out completely. At the end of the movie Frank is convinced that Mary is still in love with him. He goes back to see her but she walks away from him. In the book version of the story he is free from her. When Mary leaves for good Frank is able to regain his voice.