The Killers of the Flower Moon: Release date: 20th October, Cert - 15, Run-time - 3 hours 26 minutes, Director - Martin Scorsese: On the red carpet for Killers Of The Flower Moon’s LFF premiere long-time Scorsese editor Thelma Schoonmaker detailed how the director’s films have changed over the years.

The violence which was once shot close-up is now often displayed in a wide-shot. He’s more interested in simplicity and silence over noise. Having recently watched a 50th anniversary re-release of Mean Streets (edited by Sidney Levin) the angered violence if confined to the rimy streets of New York. As the camera tracks Robert De Niro smashing up a bar with broken pool cues the rage grows.

With Killers Of The Flower Moon, a $200 million adaptation of David Grann’s novel of the same name, there’s a cold distance to the bloodshed. It’s treated as ‘just business’ with De Niro’s William Hale being a key suspect in the deaths of multiple Osage Native Americans. Hale is seen as a respected member of the community, more concerned with his own business than the wealth-increasing oil which has recently been discovered on the reservation and brought many other white people to the area.

One such figure being Hale’s nephew Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio). His intentions are clear from the start as he sits around a poker table proclaiming “I love money! I love money!” Yet, as he begins a relationship with Lily Gladstone’s Mollie Burkhart a confliction begins to grow within him, especially as he’s plunged into a world of plotting and greed - trying to bring the Osage riches to the white parties.

The drama is an engaging slow-burn which compels thanks to the different relationships which crop up throughout the film; particularly in regards to the conflictions they create within Ernest - who it’s not always certain what he’s thinking in regards to the world he’s become embroiled in, especially when the FBI get involved. At almost three-and-a-half hours the narrative is finely paced so as to make the most of the epic-level run-time. A run-time which certainly avoids being felt thanks to the engaging nature of the unfolding events and just how and when the developments arise.

When the budget for the film was announced many said that the story didn’t need such a large amount of money thrown at it. However, when watching and seeing the scale of the locations created and the increasing threat faced by the characters (and, of course, the actors who front the film) you can clearly see where the money went. The scale is grand with plenty of attention to detail in the production design helping to further immerse you in the world.

Throw in the Scorsese spin and some excellent performances - with Lily Gladstone standing out from DiCaprio and De Niro - and there’s a thoroughly engaging piece of work here. One which takes its time without feeling overlong or rambling. Capturing a tale of greed and internal confliction amongst various well-linked personal feuds. Such a project could so easily go wrong, but of course Scorsese has pulled it off with great effect and craft.

Jamie Skinner, four stars ****