Split Estate (2009)

83% of users liked it
(21 ratings)

Split Estate is a fascinating and at times infuriating documentary in which American citizens learn their rights fail to protect them from big business. According to law, the inhabitants of the pristine, breathtakingly panoramic Garfield County, Colorado, don't own the natural-gas-producing… More Split Estate is a fascinating and at times infuriating documentary in which American citizens learn their rights fail to protect them from big business. According to law, the inhabitants of the pristine, breathtakingly panoramic Garfield County, Colorado, don't own the natural-gas-producing minerals under their properties. And so, families are forced to look on from their windows as energy companies contstruct drilling rigs in their backyards. This unforgettable portrait comes from director Debra Anderson. ~ Jonathan Frey, Rovi

Directed By: Debra Anderson
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Aug 7, 2009 Limited
Studio: Red Rock Pictures

Critic Reviews

Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Documentary on Colorado mineral rights earns a little outrage, and then asks for even more

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

"Split Estate" is a devastating documentary about an ongoing environmental catastrophe in the Rocky Mountains where 85% of the property owners do not own the mineral rights to their land which are held instead by private companies. That along with deregulation pushed by the… More
"Split Estate" is a devastating documentary about an ongoing environmental catastrophe in the Rocky Mountains where 85% of the property owners do not own the mineral rights to their land which are held instead by private companies. That along with deregulation pushed by the Bush administration and lawmakers friendly to oil and gas companies(from both parties) helps to not only make their drilling for oil and natural gas without need of compensation or permission possible but also allows for it in populated areas. That would be bad enough even without the toxins emitted by the wells which poisons the ground water, along with the more spectacular fires. What the documentary does so well is to focus on those landowners most afflicted(some whose land have been in the family for generations) and allows them to tell their stories of hardship in their own words. Testimony from experts is used to contradict the energy companies who are given more than enough rope to hang themselves. It is not entirely hopeless as there are signs that things are slowly starting to change for the better as the residents have taken to grass roots activism and more long range plans like alternative energy are proposed. In any case, this does not have to be happening this way. But do not think this is something that you do not have to worry about... (Originally reviewed in the blog section on August 15, 2009.)

Split Estate (2009)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

Also available on

Other Retailers

Subscription Services

Cast

Watch offline from your computer

Flixster Desktop

Watch on your TV

Google TV

Microsoft XBOX 360

Sony Playstation 3

Watch on your tablet

iPad

Kindle Fire, Kindle Nook

Android tablets

Watch on your phone

iPhone, iPod Touch

Android phones

Are you sure?

Google TV Get the Flixster app , then sign in	Microsoft XBOX 360 Get the Vudu app, connect to UltraViolet. Rentals currently not available. Flixster app coming soon!
Sony Playstation 3 Get the Vudu app, connect to UltraViolet. Rentals currently not available. Flixster app coming soon!

iPad Get the Flixster app , then sign in	Kindle Fire, Kindle Nook Get the Flixster app , then sign in
Android tablets Get the Flixster app , then sign in