Two Southern men are fighting on the same side during the Civil War. One is Anse Hatfield (played by Kevin Costner) and the other is Randolph McCoy (played by Bill Paxton). Back home they were neighbours but live in different states. One is from West Virginia (Hatfield) and the other Kentucky (McCoy). They have fought side by side for a long time. There is a misunderstanding that escalates even after the two men return home after the war is over. The misunderstanding turns to murder and soon there is an all out feud between the two families. The Hatfield-McCoy feud became so huge and well known that it is an expression used even today. This television mini-series tells their tale.

Part One: Tired of fighting Anse Hatfield deserts the Confederate Army during the Civil War, much to the disgust of fellow soldier Randolph MCoy. Anse returns home to his land and his family. Randolph continues to fight. Anse’s Uncle Jim (played by Tom Berenger) kills the Yankee husband (Randolph’s brother) of a McCoy woman. When the war is over Randolph is held in prison by the Yankee and then finally he is able to return home to Kentucky. He is a different man upon his return. A lawyer named Perry Kline (played by Ronan Vibert) representing Randolph tells Anse he will sue him for removing timber from land he had no right to. After Anse proves Kline’s legal claim is based on a forgery, Kline has to forfeit the rights to the timber on his 5,000 acres. Randolph’s family plants tobacco while Anse’s keeps clearing timber. Randolph’s hatred for the Hatfields continues to grow. Two McCoys kill a Hatfield in the woods. A love affair begins between Anse’s son Johnse (played by Matt Barr) and Randolph’s daughter Roseanna (played by Lindsay Pulsipher). After Roseanna turns up pregnant her brothers capture Johnse and plan to kill him.

Part Two: Anse and some other Hatfields arrive just as the McCoy boys are about to shoot Johnse. For retributions the Hatfields burn down a McCoy cabin. Johnse decides to stay with his family rather than run off with Roseanna. After a shooting contest gets out of hand, Anse’s brother Ellison (played by Damian O’Hare) gets into a scuffle with the eldest McCoy brothers. Ellison is shot. The Hatfields grab the McCoy brothers from the sheriff. Roseanna gives birth just as the Hatfields execute the three McCoy boys. A reward is put out on the Hatfields involved in the shooting of the McCoys. Now the blood feud between the McCoys of Kentucky and the Hatfields of West Virginia begins. The killings multiply as Nancy McCoy (played by Jena Malone), who is now married to Johnse, makes a deal with the newly deputized marshal, Frank Philips (played by Andrew Howard).

Part Three: As Philips ups the pressure on the Hatfields and with no help from the governor, Anse tells Jim they have to cut the head off the snake – kill Randolph McCoy. Roseanna and Johnse’s infant daughter dies. Anse comes down with pleurisy and is to sick to lead the Hatfields on a planned New Years Day attack on the McCoy homestead. Jim leads in his place. They are to capture Randolph and bring him back to West Virginia to execute.  Randolph manages to escape out the back under Cotton Top’s (played by Noel Fisher) watch. Jim firebombs the McCoy house with Sally McCoy (played by Mare Winningham) and the kids in it. In the confusion Cotton Top shoots Alifair McCoy (played by Katie Griffiths). Johnse asks Nancy to go West with him. She refuses and says she will be marrying Philips. Sally McCoy was injured by Jim and has gone mad due to the death of so many of her children. Anse sends Jim and Cap (played by Boyd Holbrook) away to lay low. Nancy tells Philips where they are and he and his men ambush Jim and Cap in the woods. Jim is killed but Cap manages to escape despite being shot. The Hatfields begin to ride into Kentucky for a final showdown with the McCoys. An all out shoot out begins. What happens during and after the battle marks both families for a long time.

Special Features: The Making of the Hatfields & McCoys, I Know These Hills Music Video Featuring Kevin Costner + Modern West with Sara Beck, Previews of Meeting Evil, Salvation Boulevard, 6 Bullets, Tonight You’re Mine, Bel Ami