'Hatfields' is a grim history lesson

Because it's set near the border of West Virginia and Kentucky, the three-night miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys" isn't technically a Western, but it sure feels like one, with its saloon fights, pistol duels, ratty facial hair and genre star Kevin Costner riding tall in the saddle.

Like most great Westerns, it features men who put honor above all else -- and pay the price for their vengeful ways. As the deaths rack up and become more and more meaningless, I kept hearing Clint Eastwood's immortal words from "Unforgiven": "We've all got it coming."

Costner, who looks like he was born to smoke a corn pipe, sets aside his good-ol'-boy charm to play Devil Anse Hatfield, one of the grimmest and most unlikable characters in his long career.

If only he were equally impressive as a producer.

This story could have just as easily been told in four hours rather than six. Despite director Kevin Reynolds' best efforts, the story eventually runs out of steam. Just because the feud never seemed like it would end doesn't mean the film should have you feeling the same way.