Benedict Cumberbatch is defending his Oscar nominated film after Sam Elliot's searing review in which he called the movie a "piece of s--t."

In a March 4, BAFTA's Film Sessions event, Cumberbatch responded to Elliott's statements about the film.

"I'm trying very hard not to say anything about a very odd reaction that happened the other day on a radio podcast over here," the actor said. "I haven't heard it, so it's unfair for me to comment in detail on it—to the West being portrayed in this way."

Sam Elliott appeared on Marc Maron's WTF podcast on Monday, February 28, and didn't hold back when it came to his thoughts about Jane Campion's western drama.

Elliott seemed to take issue with almost every aspect of the movie including where it was filmed.

"What the f--k does this woman from down there know about the American West?" said Elliot on the podcast, "And why in the f--k did she shoot this movie in New Zealand and call it Montana? And say this is the way it was? That f--king rubbed me the wrong way, pal."

Aside from the location, Elliott was also not pleased with the way the cowboys in the film were portrayed, comparing them to Chippendales dancers.

"That's what all these f--king cowboys in that movie looked like," Elliott said. "They're running around in chaps and no shirts. There's all these allusions of homosexuality throughout the f--king movie. Where's the Western in this Western?"

Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Phil Burbank, a gay rancher who struggles to accept his identity, spoke about the importance of LGBTQ representation in the film stating,

"these people still exist in our world."

He continued,

"Whether it's on our doorstep or whether it's down the road or whether it's someone we meet in a bar or pub or on the sports field, there is aggression and anger and frustration and an inability to control or know who you are in that moment that causes damage to that person and, as we know, damage to those around them."