Amazon.com

With resonant ties to previous DS9 episodes, "In Purgatory's Shadow" kicks off the fifth season's only two-parter with a nail-biting cliffhanger. It's also a series highlight for Andrew J. Robinson as DS9's resident Cardassian, Garak, who travels with Worf into the Gamma quadrant, where they're captured by the Jem'Hadar and held in a Dominion-controlled internment camp. Reunited with his now-dying mentor (Paul Dooley, returning from the third season's "The Die Is Cast"), Garak reveals a moving secret of his lineage, while Sisko and Kira, on DS9, cope with the Dominion's imminent invasion of the Alpha quadrant. Building up a steady head of steam, this tautly paced episode allows Robinson (best known as the villain of Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry) to deepen his character's impact on the series, and Worf finds honor and friendship with Klingon general Martok (J.G. Hertzler), who would make welcomed appearances in subsequent episodes. Despite its pretentious title, this episode represents DS9 at its best. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My second most favorite Star Trek episode
Excellent episode. The beginning of what would be the two-year long war between the Federation and the Cardassians/Dominion. Filled with suspense, surprises, twists and turns, shocking developments, and strong tests of courage. Well-written episode and worth every penny to buy. In case you want to know, my most favorite Star Trek episode of all time is the "Sacrifice of Angels".

The Jem'Hadar are ready to invade the Alpha Quadrant
The day the Alpha Quadrant knew was coming finally arrives in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 112, "In Purgatory's Shadow" (Written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Ira Steven Behr, Aired February 10, 1997). DS9 picks up a coded message from the Gamma Quadrant that appears to be in Cardassian, so Garak (Andrew J. Robinson) is asked to analyze it. He says the message is not important, but then is caught trying to sneak off in a runabout. When Garak admits that the message is a distress call from his mentor Enabran Tain (Paul Dooley), the former head of the Obsidian Order, Sisko allows the Garak to go to the Gamma Quadrant, but with Worf (Michael Dorn) along to keep an eye on him. The pair are pretty much at each other's throats the entire trip, until they stumble upon the entire Jem'Hadar fleet. This can only mean one thing: the invasion of the Alpha Quadrant is about to begin.

Worf sends a warning to DS9, but before he can confirm it went through he and Garak are captured by the Jem'Hadar and sent to a Dominion detention center. There they meet Martok, the Klingon general who was replaced by a Changeling ("Apocalypse Rising"), Tain, who is irate that Garak was foolish enough to be captured, and a member of the DS9 crew, which means there is a Changeling aboard the station. Meanwhile, Sisko gets enough of the message to realize what is happening and starts to prepare for the invasion, but the only real option he has is to seal the wormhole, even if Worf and Garak are still on the other side. To be continued... in "By Inferno's Light."

"In Purgatory's Shadow" gets a lot set up for the first part of this two-part story. There are several elements that could sustain an entire episode present in this one, especially the encounter between Garak and Tain, so that ups the ante considerably, making for a strong episode that has a nice balance between small moments and large implications. Of course, given that there is only one way for the Dominion to invade the Alpha Quadrant, I would have to say that the wormhole and Deep Space Nine should already have a couple of Starships patrolling the area, but that would have been the smart thing to do and would have taken away from the big cliff-hanger. Just be sure that you have both parts before you start watching this one.

The Dominion threats begin.
When the station picks up a mysterious coded message from inside the Gamma Quadrant that appears to be Cardassian, Garak is asked to analyze it. He reports that the message is insignificant, but is later caught trying to sneak off the station in a Runabout. He then admits that the message is some sort of distress call from his mentor Enabran Tain, the former head of the Obsidian Order. Garak convinces Sisko to allow him to travel to the Gamma Quadrant to search for Tain, but Sisko sends Worf along as a "chaperone."

Garak and Worf bicker consistently and find nothing. Finally, Worf announces that they can go no further and takes the ship out of warp, explaining that the source of Tain's signal is deep in Dominion space. Garak pushes Worf to travel through the nearby nebula but they end up right in the middle of the large Jem'Hadar fleet.

Worf realizes that the entire fleet can only be assembled for one reason â€" to invade the Alpha Quadrant. He immediately sends a warning message to the station, but is not confident it will get through. Moments later, four Jem'Hadar soldiers materialize on the ship and take Worf and Garak prisoner. Back on Deep Space Nine, the crew is able to decipher enough of Worf's signal to realize the Dominion is coming. Sisko sends Kira to find Worf and Garak, but they are already imprisoned in a Dominion detention center, where they are told they will remain until they die.

Inside the camp, Worf meets Martok, the Klingon general who was replaced by a Founder. Martok leads Worf and Garak to Tain, himself a prisoner, who is dying. Instead of being thankful to Garak for coming, Tain chastises him for allowing himself to be taken prisoner. Meanwhile, Kira returns with grim news that at least fifty Dominion ships are heading their way. With reinforcements at least two days away and only Gul Dukat on hand to help out, Sisko sees only one choice, is to seal the wormhole. If Worf and Garak don't escape in 36 hours, they will be trapped. Meanwhile, Worf and Garak are introduced to another prisoner: Bashir, meaning the Bashir at the station is a Changeling.

On the station, the Bashir Changeling begins making himself useful to Dax and O'Brien while they work out the technology that will seal the wormhole. In the internment camp, Garak meets with Tain again, desperate for a kind word from his mentor before the old man passes on. When Tain makes Garak promise to escape as a final request, Garak makes a request in return â€" that Tain acknowledge him as his son. He does, and father and illegitimate child share a memory before Tain dies peacefully. His mission complete, Garak is ready to find a way out. But he may be too late. On Deep Space Nine, the crew shoots a particle beam from the phaser banks, at the wormhole, intending to close it. However, something goes wrong. The wormhole remains open, and the large Jem'Hadar fleet begins pouring through.

In puragorys shadow and by infernos light
Worf and Garak go into the gamma quadrant to investigate a cardassian code whice garak claims was sent by tain the former leader of the obsidian order. They progress further into the gamma quadrant where they are captured by gem hadar. Worf is forced to fight the gemhadar while garak engineers their escape from the dominion prison camp . It is a great episode which is one of my favorites it shows worfs true test of klingon honor and spirit.

meanwhile on ds9 doctor bashier was replaced by a changeling where he is damageing station systems and would be sucessful if doctor bashier wouldnt have hailed the station from the gamma quadrant.

A taskforce of klingon ships arrive from cardassian space and gowron agrees to ally the klingon empire with the federation once again and it is the beginning of the dominion war saga a must see !! ... Read more

Amazon.com

While investigating a glitch in Data's "Sherlock Holmes" holodeck program, engineer Reg Barclay (the awkward recurring engineer played by Dwight Schultz) inadvertently releases Professor Moriarty (Daniel Davis) from the ship's memory. Moriarty, the sentient holodeck character created in episode 29, "Elementary, Dear Data," is alive, bored, and singularly frustrated by Picard's lack of action: he wants off the holodeck so bad he steps over the threshold and into the real world by sheer will. His problem is bringing out his digital lover (Stephanie Beacham) with him, and he hijacks the Enterprise (perched on the event horizon of a forming star that threatens to engulf the vessel) to pressure the crew into finding a solution. The ingenious Chinese box of a story is like a series of interlocking mind games and makes for a delicious battle of wits: things are not always as they seem. Davis's Moriarty is not exactly the criminal mastermind of Doyle's books ("He was only written that way," pooh-poohs his elegant love interest), but he is a genius and a charismatic opponent, and writer Rene Echevarria pens a plot and a character worthy of such a creation. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Professor Moriarty turns the tables on Captain Picard
It has been four years since Captain Picard promised Professor Moriarty that one day he would be able to leave the holodeck ("Elementary, My Dear Data," Episode 29). When Reg Barclay is fooling around with an error in a Sherlock Holmes holodeck adventure Data and Geordi have been enjoying, the good doctor reappears and demands to know why the Captain has not kept his promise. When Picard, Data and Barclay meet with Moriarty and try to explain that Federation scientists have indeed been working on the problem they have yet to reach a workable solution. Unimpressed, Moriarty stuns them by walking out of the holodeck, which, of course is impossible. Moriarty has reprogrammed the computer, trapping the trio of Enterprise officers in HIS program and demanding Riker find a way to bring him and his beloved female friend out of there or he will blow up the ship. Having tricked Picard into giving him the ship's command codes, Moriarty can do just that.

"Ship in a Bottle" is built on the fundamental fairness of Jean-Luc Picard, who treats a holographic creation with the same respect for sentience he has displayed towards crystals, nanites, and other unlikely thinking entities. This episode is enhanced by the superb performance of Daniel Davis as the Napoleon of Crime who is now motivated by self-preservation and love for the divine Stephanie Beacham. The situation is quite complex, but the resolution is in total keeping with the philosophical foundation of the episode. This is not a great episode in terms of offering a pivotal moment in the history of the series, but it is a completely solid episode from start to finish.

Very intriguing storyline
This is one of my favorite episodes, and I think this sequel to "Elementary, Dear Data" was even better than the original. The solution at the end was thought-provoking and creative. After seeing this episode, one must wonder what how we really know that anything is real. Perhaps we are just a hologram????

The most intriguing use of the Holodeck
with Daniel Davis playing Dr. Moriarty, Lt. Data's "Shirlock Holmes'" arch enemy. One of the best story lines written by the staff of TNG. Episode 138 is a sequel to Episode 29, "Elementary, Dear Data" from the 1st season. The ending to this episode will have you wishing there were another season of TNG to make yet another sequel.

Professor Moriarty reappears on the Holodeck
While Data and Geordi are role-playing in the Holodeck as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the Holodeck malfunctions. Geordi and Data quit the program and ask Barclay to inspect the program when Holmes' arch-enemy appears right in front of Barclay, requesting to speak to Captain Picard about leaving the Holodeck. Moriarty successfully leaves the Holodeck later on, but is this for real? This story is a sort of sequel to the 2nd season episode "Elementary, Dear Data," but I like the 2nd season episode better because it has humor and just a little more suspense, I think, than "Ship in a Bottle." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It seems no one told Jadziah Dax about Joran Belar
When Dax starts having erratic mood swings and strange hallucinations, Sisko and Bashir take her back to the Trill home world. There they learn from the Symbiosis Commission that for some reason Jadziah is rejecting her symbiont. If this happens, the Dax symbiont will be removed from the host and Jadziah will die. Then it turns out the problem has to do with a previously unknown host named Joran Belar, and the mystery reveals some disturbing facts about what the commission has been doing. Some interesting revisions of what we know about the wonderful but wacky world of the Trills, "Equilibrium" is one of a handful of DS9 episodes that deal with Dax's previous hosts. Overall this is an average episode that just offers a momentary diversion while we wait for the Dominion to come pouring through the wormhole. Besides, we all know that while Jadziah is certainly beautiful, Curzon is definitely the best host Dax ever had.

The Best
This probably one of my top three favorite DS9 episodes. This is by far my favorite Dax episode. The musical score was very good, also. ... Read more

Reviews (191)

The Strong Arm of the Law
The future of law enforcement is now available in the thrilling Sci-Fi actioner "Robocop". In the near future, police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is brutally gunned down by ruthless criminals but a powerful corporation rebuilds him as an indestructible high-tech cyborg with the mission to bring justice in violent streets of Detroit. Tormented by nightmarish images of his former life, Robocop seeks revenge on the criminals that took his life. "Robocop" is still director Paul Verhoeven's (Total Recall) best work to date. This film is a fiercely entertaining action-packed joyride. It contains a sharp storyline, high-voltage actions and some surprising bits of wicked satire. The cast also includes Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith and Miguel Ferrer. The 1987 hit actioner is presented in its theatrical 1.85:1 widescreen format. The DVD contains a good video transfer and well-balanced 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Its only supplement is its original theatrical trailer. Though fans are more interested in the Criterion Edition, this simple edition is a worthy bargain purchase and gets a "B-".

Not a bad movie, but one scene makes me sick
Dutch director Paul Varhoven takes us on a ride filled with the demise and downfall of our own society in his first American action adventure film, ROBOCOP. It is worth while to mention that ROBOCOP was shot in a time period where Detroit was known as the murder capital of the world. Since than, Detroit has cleaned up its act, and New York has lifted that title from the motor city's back. But in Varhoven's vision, Detroit is a spiraling downward paradox, filled with drugs, violence, and prostitution. The picture is dark and monochromatic, with a grim look upon our future. Its actually a bit depressing to tell you the truth. ROBOCOP is a satire, cracking jokes at modern day aspects of life such as the automotive industry, television commercials, and corporate development (the OCP portion of the film.) The movie has a solid script and a convincing cast, probably most entertaining are the OCP corporate hot shots, but no one steals the show like ED-209. Peter Weller does well with the material he is given to work with, even if he is a little on the monotone side. Kurtwood Smith is all too believable as the dark and sinister villain, Clarence Bodiker. The villains in this film are the most convincing, although its not that hard to make someone seem evil. Basil Poledoris's music score is commanding, even if a little overemphasized with synthesizer, but I guess that's how the 80's were. It really adds a whole other dimension to the film, and multi-academy award winner Phil Tippit's stop motion effects are amazing. I have mixed feelings about this film. Like I may have mentioned above, ROBOCOP is very convincing when it comes to its antagonists, almost too convincing. Along with the Robocop package comes one of the most brutal scenes in Hollywood History. Not since the ambush sequence in BONNY AND CLYDE has there been a more shocking murder in a motion picture. I'm speaking of the scene in which Murphy is, to say the least, shot to death. I felt this over-emphasis was anything but crucial to the plot, as there was no need for it, since we had already been given a display of the cruelty of the characters (can you fly Bobby...CAN YOU FLY! ) We didn't have to see Murphy take a shot between the legs, fall to his knees in agony, and lie there helplessly as his limbs are blown off one at a time. This isn't art, its savage. VARHOVEN, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! Now I'm aware of the criterion edition, which features even more of this nonsense, in crucifixion style! I mean come on! That's just sick if you ask me. One thing off-setting about this scene is that it takes place in a very confined setting, creating a claustrophobic illusion. We can sympathize for Murphy, especially us males when it comes to the first shot he takes. Some things just shouldn't pass through the lens of a camera, period. As for the rest of the film, three cheers, but this scene was totally unnecessary. The blade thru Kurtwood Smith's neck ain't pretty either, but at least he deserved it. The viewing of this scene leaves one feeling sick to there stomach, thanks Dad, for fast forwarding when I was a little kid.

A classic action movie that makes Kill Bill a comedy
The 1987 classic Robocop is one of my all time favorite movies next to Scarface(1983), First Blood(1982), Goodfellas(1990), Braveheart(1995), The Exorcist(1973), Animal House(1978) and The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie(1979). When I first saw this movie in 1988 when I was 12, I was in for a time of my life. As for the first Robocop(forget the sequels), Old Detroit has become a violent wonderland of criminal activity. New officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) and Anne Lewis (Nancy Allen) are partners in a police force under siege from OCP, a company that wants to turn Old Detroit into a Metropolis kind of place. Whilst pursuing particularly bloodthirsty and disgusting badguys, led by the reprehensible Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith), whom had some of the funniest lines ever uttered by a villain in film, Murphy is captured, tortured, shot full of holes and killed. This scene is rather disturbing to watch for those who don't like violence. After his death, Murphy becomes ROBOCOP. Murphy now has a mechanical body and becomes a walking weapon of mass destruction! He in initially goes out to clean up the streets and uphold the law. However, the scientists forgot that he was human and Robocop subsequently has a flashback to the night that his human form was killed and is later haunted by memories of his wife and son. The nightmare sequence sets up one of the best revenge films I've ever seen next to the first First Blood. ROBOCOP then finds out the sinister secrets of OCP's #2 man (Ronny Cox) after assaulting Clarence and must do battle with the ED-209, an earlier robotic crimefighter design with heavy-duty guns and missiles. The rest of the film is great too. I can't give more away, you have to watch. Highly recommended!

Rent the first movie now!!
Absolutely incredible! I liked peter weller as Robocop,mainly because his voice was a little quiet,wich I admire. I just love watching Robocop cream all the gang members and I never get bored of it,and the toxic waste guy.a perfect idea for the movie! I was home alone just flipping around the channels and I found the word robocop on the screen.I went ahead and checked it out,I had heard people say how violent it was and im only 13(so I was prepared..) I dropped in when the cops are first chaseing after the gang,and when they got to the gangs hide out where murphys hand like explodes from a little pistol,AS IF.Although it was still wheerdly entertaining,still I was suprised at how good it the movie was.one of the best of the 80's,rent the movie you will like it,I sware.

A good but violent film.
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD release of the film.

The plot is original for the time also.

After being killed, a police officer is brought back to life as a robot with superhuman strength.

This film is an interesting look at human memory and emotions as well as the idea on law enforcement of the future. The film is the unrated director's cut and includes violent scenes which were cut to avoid an MPAA X-rating. Though compared to the violence in today's films, it is not that graphic.

It is also an interesting look at large corporations and their potential to become corrupt, a bit ahead of its time but now apparent with the many reports in the news nowadays.

The death of officer Murphy and his 'rebirth' as a robot have been compared to the crucifixion and ressurrection of Jesus, by director Paul Verhoeven. He stated that he wanted the death scene to be as graphic as possible so the audience would have sympathy for him and not just think of him as a robot after his 'rebirth'
The scene where he discovers his old home, abandned by his widow and children is also touching and really is well written.

The DVD has excellent audio commentary by the director other crew. It also has storyboard/film comparisons. it has the teaser and theatcical trailers and an interactive essay that was origianlly in a film magazine.

This DVd remains out of print and is worth the $50 dollars it currently sells at for those who are fan of the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (191)

The Strong Arm of the Law
The future of law enforcement is now available in the thrilling Sci-Fi actioner "Robocop". In the near future, police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is brutally gunned down by ruthless criminals but a powerful corporation rebuilds him as an indestructible high-tech cyborg with the mission to bring justice in violent streets of Detroit. Tormented by nightmarish images of his former life, Robocop seeks revenge on the criminals that took his life. "Robocop" is still director Paul Verhoeven's (Total Recall) best work to date. This film is a fiercely entertaining action-packed joyride. It contains a sharp storyline, high-voltage actions and some surprising bits of wicked satire. The cast also includes Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith and Miguel Ferrer. The 1987 hit actioner is presented in its theatrical 1.85:1 widescreen format. The DVD contains a good video transfer and well-balanced 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Its only supplement is its original theatrical trailer. Though fans are more interested in the Criterion Edition, this simple edition is a worthy bargain purchase and gets a "B-".

Not a bad movie, but one scene makes me sick
Dutch director Paul Varhoven takes us on a ride filled with the demise and downfall of our own society in his first American action adventure film, ROBOCOP. It is worth while to mention that ROBOCOP was shot in a time period where Detroit was known as the murder capital of the world. Since than, Detroit has cleaned up its act, and New York has lifted that title from the motor city's back. But in Varhoven's vision, Detroit is a spiraling downward paradox, filled with drugs, violence, and prostitution. The picture is dark and monochromatic, with a grim look upon our future. Its actually a bit depressing to tell you the truth. ROBOCOP is a satire, cracking jokes at modern day aspects of life such as the automotive industry, television commercials, and corporate development (the OCP portion of the film.) The movie has a solid script and a convincing cast, probably most entertaining are the OCP corporate hot shots, but no one steals the show like ED-209. Peter Weller does well with the material he is given to work with, even if he is a little on the monotone side. Kurtwood Smith is all too believable as the dark and sinister villain, Clarence Bodiker. The villains in this film are the most convincing, although its not that hard to make someone seem evil. Basil Poledoris's music score is commanding, even if a little overemphasized with synthesizer, but I guess that's how the 80's were. It really adds a whole other dimension to the film, and multi-academy award winner Phil Tippit's stop motion effects are amazing. I have mixed feelings about this film. Like I may have mentioned above, ROBOCOP is very convincing when it comes to its antagonists, almost too convincing. Along with the Robocop package comes one of the most brutal scenes in Hollywood History. Not since the ambush sequence in BONNY AND CLYDE has there been a more shocking murder in a motion picture. I'm speaking of the scene in which Murphy is, to say the least, shot to death. I felt this over-emphasis was anything but crucial to the plot, as there was no need for it, since we had already been given a display of the cruelty of the characters (can you fly Bobby...CAN YOU FLY! ) We didn't have to see Murphy take a shot between the legs, fall to his knees in agony, and lie there helplessly as his limbs are blown off one at a time. This isn't art, its savage. VARHOVEN, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! Now I'm aware of the criterion edition, which features even more of this nonsense, in crucifixion style! I mean come on! That's just sick if you ask me. One thing off-setting about this scene is that it takes place in a very confined setting, creating a claustrophobic illusion. We can sympathize for Murphy, especially us males when it comes to the first shot he takes. Some things just shouldn't pass through the lens of a camera, period. As for the rest of the film, three cheers, but this scene was totally unnecessary. The blade thru Kurtwood Smith's neck ain't pretty either, but at least he deserved it. The viewing of this scene leaves one feeling sick to there stomach, thanks Dad, for fast forwarding when I was a little kid.

A classic action movie that makes Kill Bill a comedy
The 1987 classic Robocop is one of my all time favorite movies next to Scarface(1983), First Blood(1982), Goodfellas(1990), Braveheart(1995), The Exorcist(1973), Animal House(1978) and The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie(1979). When I first saw this movie in 1988 when I was 12, I was in for a time of my life. As for the first Robocop(forget the sequels), Old Detroit has become a violent wonderland of criminal activity. New officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) and Anne Lewis (Nancy Allen) are partners in a police force under siege from OCP, a company that wants to turn Old Detroit into a Metropolis kind of place. Whilst pursuing particularly bloodthirsty and disgusting badguys, led by the reprehensible Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith), whom had some of the funniest lines ever uttered by a villain in film, Murphy is captured, tortured, shot full of holes and killed. This scene is rather disturbing to watch for those who don't like violence. After his death, Murphy becomes ROBOCOP. Murphy now has a mechanical body and becomes a walking weapon of mass destruction! He in initially goes out to clean up the streets and uphold the law. However, the scientists forgot that he was human and Robocop subsequently has a flashback to the night that his human form was killed and is later haunted by memories of his wife and son. The nightmare sequence sets up one of the best revenge films I've ever seen next to the first First Blood. ROBOCOP then finds out the sinister secrets of OCP's #2 man (Ronny Cox) after assaulting Clarence and must do battle with the ED-209, an earlier robotic crimefighter design with heavy-duty guns and missiles. The rest of the film is great too. I can't give more away, you have to watch. Highly recommended!

Rent the first movie now!!
Absolutely incredible! I liked peter weller as Robocop,mainly because his voice was a little quiet,wich I admire. I just love watching Robocop cream all the gang members and I never get bored of it,and the toxic waste guy.a perfect idea for the movie! I was home alone just flipping around the channels and I found the word robocop on the screen.I went ahead and checked it out,I had heard people say how violent it was and im only 13(so I was prepared..) I dropped in when the cops are first chaseing after the gang,and when they got to the gangs hide out where murphys hand like explodes from a little pistol,AS IF.Although it was still wheerdly entertaining,still I was suprised at how good it the movie was.one of the best of the 80's,rent the movie you will like it,I sware.

A good but violent film.
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD release of the film.

The plot is original for the time also.

After being killed, a police officer is brought back to life as a robot with superhuman strength.

This film is an interesting look at human memory and emotions as well as the idea on law enforcement of the future. The film is the unrated director's cut and includes violent scenes which were cut to avoid an MPAA X-rating. Though compared to the violence in today's films, it is not that graphic.

It is also an interesting look at large corporations and their potential to become corrupt, a bit ahead of its time but now apparent with the many reports in the news nowadays.

The death of officer Murphy and his 'rebirth' as a robot have been compared to the crucifixion and ressurrection of Jesus, by director Paul Verhoeven. He stated that he wanted the death scene to be as graphic as possible so the audience would have sympathy for him and not just think of him as a robot after his 'rebirth'
The scene where he discovers his old home, abandned by his widow and children is also touching and really is well written.

The DVD has excellent audio commentary by the director other crew. It also has storyboard/film comparisons. it has the teaser and theatcical trailers and an interactive essay that was origianlly in a film magazine.

This DVd remains out of print and is worth the $50 dollars it currently sells at for those who are fan of the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Top notch action!
Whilst on a mission in the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko and crew travelling in a defenceless Runabout (come on guys, in the middle of hostile territory!) they find a Jem'hadar fighter that has crashed into a planet and is half-buried beneath the surface. Sensors indicate everyone on board is dead so Sisko decides to dig out the starship and send it back to Starfleet, something that will greatly advance Starfleet's knowledge of the Dominion.

Sisko, Worf, O'Brien, Bashir and few irrelevant officers become trapped in this Jem'hadar fighter when another warship arrives full of Jem'hadar. For some reason the Jem'hadar will not risk entering the downed fighter and killing the Starfleet officer, Sisko realises that there is something inside this ship that is very important to them, if they find it they find they're ticket out of danger!

This is a great episode that shows the tension between Worf and O'Brien, unfortunately one of the irrelevant Ensign-like officers is on his deathbed, unfortunate not because he dies but because we have to put up with everyone mourning his death for 20 minutes. Apart from this small problem the episode is flawless, we see a new side to the Vorta and a weakness in the Jem'hadar! Written by a Star Trek fan who had never had anything commissioned before, this is a pivotal story that would be looked back on in future episodes.

The Ship is an excellent, very enjoyable episode.
I found the Ship to be an excellent, very enjoyable episode, though certain bits I'd have written slightly differently. Definitely feel it to be one worth having on tape in my collection.
However, I feel it has no relevance to the situation in Iraq. No relevance whatsoever. For starters, there is no similarity between Hussein and the Vorta character - the Vorta character has a valid interest and moral stature of some degree in the situation. Hussein has none, therefore the comparison is an empty one.

Sisko has a Jem'Hadar warship and a Vorta wants it back
"The Ship" (Story by Pam Wigginton & Rick Cason, Teleplay by Hans Beimler, Aired October 7, 1996) is actually a much more intimate sort of episode than you would expect for the 100th episode of "Deep Space Nine." While exploring a world in the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko, Dax, Worf, O'Brien and Muniz, one of O'Brien's engineres see a Jem'Hadar ship crash onto the planet's surface. The crew are killed, but the ship is intact enough for Sisko to want to use the Defiant to get it back to DS9 to study and learn some of the military secrets of the Jem'Hadar. However, before that can happen, another Jem'Hadar warship appears and destroys the Federation runabout, killing all aboard. Sisko and the others take refuge in the crashed ship and wait for the Jem'Hadar to attack. But instead a Vorta named Kilana makes contact and demands Sisko give up the ship. Sisko figures out that there must be something aboard the vesel that the Vorta wants, and the negotiations taken on a whole new tack. Meanwhile, Muniz has been seriously wounded and needs medical attention.

"The Ship" is actually an interesting meditation on the problems of negotiating with the enemy, especially if you think in terms of zero-sum games. I am not sure if I agree with the idea that either Sisko or Kilana would have ever accepted a win-win situation, but I can certainly appreciate the notion that each would prefer to have a lose-lose outcome rather than risk having the other side "win." Of course, there is an irony to the final outcome of the situation, and I think there would have been more of an impact to the episode if both sides had lost everything. Still, this is a rather thoughtful episode from the show's fifth season.

The sacrifices men make in battle
The death of the ensign is worth twenty minutes of grief. Like year one's "Duet", "The Ship" shows the price the men pay when involved in combat and the importance of trust in diplomatic discussion.

The conflict between Sisko and the female Vorta is a perfect commentary on war.

'Seems to me that a certain resident of the White House and a Iraqi leader would benefit from watching this one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the final two installments of the trilogy begun in Anasazi, Scully discovers the meaning of "Trust No One," and Mulder fights for his life in the New Mexico desert. A DAT containing illegally downloaded evidence of the Defense Department's knowledge of and involvement with extraterrestrials pits Skinner against Cigarette Smoking Man and his shadowy allies. The agents come closer to "The Truth" than ever before, but both find the price for their investigation is higher than they could have imagined. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

With "Anasazi", the quintessential mythology series.
Incidentally, you do need to have "Anasazi" if you're going to have these follow-ups. (The accompanying "Humbug" is a great catch too--the first comedy.) Together, they comprise what is probably the most satisfying mythology three-parter of the series. This is in spite of the facts that the dynamic between the heroes is still in its kindling phases, and the production team is working on less than half the budget they would later pour into the slick fourth and fifth seasons. Carter doesn't have to pull too many paranormal rabbits out of his hat this early in the game to pack a punch, though he does shoot three big characters and kill two of them, and sprinkle some Navajo tradition into the mix. When the U.F.O. finally makes its appearence--the most blatant revelation in the show thus far--it is as big as in Close Encounters. The story starts to feel a little overloaded towards the end and then ends abruptly, but it does make you yearn for more, which I guess was the point in television writing. It marks a time when the show's mythology was still uncluttered and we still believed the revelations could only get better.

Very helpful
If uve seen Anazi these two episods will show u all the trouble Mulder goes through to find the truth about his gfather being shot. But does agent Dana Katherine Scully turn on mulder, and shoot him or dsoes she?

PERFECT
5 stars isnt enough for this movie, i would give is 10 stars. this the best episode ever. it is perfect. I think david Duchovny is perfect for the part of mulder. he is so HOT!!!!!! The Indians do add a great twist to it. this video is a must.

Definetly an X-Files' classic. More questions arise.
In my opinion the most anxiously awaited season of all. I could barely wait to find out what was going to happen to"Spooky." I found that those navajo indians in these episodes put a nice twist to the show. A must see.

Definetly an X-Files' classic. More questions arise.
Probably the most awaited season of all. At the end of the season before nobody could wait to see if Fox was dead or what. Those navajo indians in the show gave it a nice twist. A must see for a true X-FILE avid watcher. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Captivating and Thrilling!
This movie was wonderful! I watched it several times during the weekend. Duncan Regehr is a great Zorro and the supporting actors play their parts well. Watch it. You'll love it!

Another great Zorro video!
This is the second Zorro episode from the 1990 series that I've seen (the first is "The Legend Begins". This is almost as good an episode as "The Legend Begins", thanks to the performances of the actors, especially James Horan as Gilberto Resendo and -- again -- Duncan Regehr as Diego/Zorro. Horan is an appropriately menacing villain with a psychological twist -- he is a villain because he was stolen from his true parents and twisted by the woman who stole him. This brings complexity to his role, and some sympathy -- but not much.

Regehr once again does wonders with Diego/Zorro. While there is less emphasis on the scientific aspects and on his sense of humor, there's plenty of action and a good scene of Diego dancing with Victoria. Also, his swordfighting scenes with Resendo are terrific!

Though there isn't as much humor surrounding Zorro this time, there are a couple of funny scenes involving Sergeant Mendoza. The first one is a scene where he has to go into a cave -- with a bear in it! The second one is where he is trying to bring a bucket of hay to a captured Toronado -- and the horse dumps the bucket on his head! Those are really funny scenes! James Victor does a good job of making him funny but likeable.

The only thing that keeps me from giving a higher mark is the fact that the video makes several errors in the chronology of the series. The most notable is the fact that the video says that the events of much of the story take place in 1824, but it had to have taken place before 1822, when California became part of Mexico! Still, that doesn't take away much from my enjoyment of this worthy Zorro story!

Belle Book

Great pic for John Hertzler's fans
This video is full of slapstick hilarity that will keep you laughing from start to finish. John Hertzler makes it a great pic with terrific sword fighting a la Shakespear's finest.

The concepts aren't very real-life, but Regehr does well.
The story was a bit off the wall and hard to believe, but otherwise a nice addition to a Duncan Regehr or Zorro Fan's collection.

Adventure without the hype. Great family fare.
An enjoyable pic; This video is well worth a view. High adventure with a low budget, this show displays some of my favorite actors. Perfect for all ages. A great addition to any Zorro fan's collection. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Sisko, Dax, Odo, and Garak find themsevles on Terok Nor
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 106, "Things Past" (Written by Michael Taylor, Aired November 18, 1996) is a time travel episode that has the virtue of being about character insight as opposed to some time paradox. It begins with Sisko, Dax, Odo, and Garak being found unconscious in a roundabout. While Bashir tries to revive their bodies in the present they wake up on the station during the Cardassian occupation, when it was called Terok Nor. Fortunately everybody on the station sees them as Bajorans, so they are able to blend in. However, when Dax is hauled off by the Cardassians to serve Gul Dukat, the other three learn that their identities are those of three Bajorans that Odo says were falsely accused of trying to assassinate Dukat and were executed on the Promenade. The attempt to have history avoid repeating itself fails, and the trio is taken into custody, to be executed in two hours. Dax manages to help them escape, but when Sisko and the others again find themselves back in their cell, again two hours away from being executed, it becomes clear there is something more than time travel involved here and they are forced to re-examine what has been happening.

On the one hand the clues are there as to what is really going on, however the initial confusing as to exactly WHEN in the past this is taking place makes it difficult to pick up on them. The confusion is also a clue, but that does not really help. "Things Past" is not really a mystery in the sense that you can actually decipher the clues and figure it out before things are explained, but it is still rather interesting. My biggest problem was at that point because I think this episode involves a reading of one of the characters that I do not think is especially justified. I can buy all of the time travel elements and the other strange going ons, but it is the question of character consistency that bothers me with this episode.

DS9 Forever!!!
I think the best thing about this episode and DS9 in general is that this series allowed the characters to be fallible. They aren't superheroes, they're ordnairy people caught up in the midst of extraordnairy times. There are no cop-outs, i.e. Odo's memory doesn't turn out to be a hallucination caused by some alien virus. The audience is not allowed the automatic comfort of knowing "Hey, this is just a show, these people didn't really do anything wrong, they wouldn't." DS9 tried the audience more than most shows on television with few exceptions like The Sopranos. A show would be lucky to be this good.

If Only...
The moral implications of this episode are so profoundly portrayed by Odo that you can't help but feel for his predicament during the "Occupation". The way the script manages to tear away the character's social defences and expose his vulnerability is admirable. Though the one major, glaring deficiency in the episode is the premise. That is to say that what the characters do, given the situation they're in, is certainly powerful, however, the whole reasoning for their being there is shaky at best. True enough, the character implications are more the focus than the plot, but the explanation given by Bashir feels forced and unsatisfying. That's a shame, but nonetheless Things Past is a rewarding and insightful episode not to be missed.

Flashback
This episode is very similar to Necessary Evil, which was just as rubbish. Dax, Odo, Sisko and Garak are all found unconscious and rushed to sickbay only to find they are in some strange coma. Though Sisko and co are infact in sickbay they all believe they are onbaord Terok Nor and a strange murder investigation goes underway in a slow, unrevealing and scientific flawed episode.

Terrible. Even Andrew Robinson aka Garak couldn't lift this one! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Philosophy takes center stage in this exploration of what constitutes a life form. Everybody knows that Data is an amazing machine, but is he more than that? Is he a sentient being? These questions, perfect for idle speculation, are put on trial on a brand-new starbase when Commander Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) decides he wants to disassemble Data in order to learn "its" secrets, so that he can build many more Datas in the future. Data, however, doesn't think his science ability is up to snuff. Maddox forces atransfer so that Data must undergo the experiments, which in turn leads to Data's resignation from Starfleet. But canhe resign, or is he the property of Starfleet? Is he a person, or more like a toaster? A trial is set up in front of Judge Advocate General Philipa Louvois (Amanda McBroom); Riker is called on to argue that Data is the property of Starfleet, while Picard must defend Data as a new form of life. Excellent arguments are given for both sides. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A thoughtful exploration of "android rights"
This episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" takes on a classic science fiction theme: the rights and dignity of sentient artificial beings. "The Measure of a Man" ranks right up there with the best of such explorations. The combination of an intelligent script and superb acting makes this one that bears repeat watching.

Lieutenant Commander Data, the android bridge officer on the starship "Enterprise," is faced with the unpleasant prospect of being disassembled against his will by an obsessed Starfleet cybernetics expert. Scriptwriter Melinda Snodgrass effectively uses the dramatic device of a legal hearing as the vehicle by which to present a philosophical inquiry into the crucial questions: Is Data "alive"? Does he have inalienable rights? Would forcing him into actions against his will amount to slavery?

The performances are uniformly good. Special mention should be made of Brent Spiner's portrayal of Data: it is a masterfully nuanced performance which engages the viewers' sympathy. And Patrick Stewart, as Data's captain and courtroom defender, delivers his key pieces of oratory with passionate integrity.

As I noted above, this television episode can be read as part of a greater science fiction tradition. But in its exploration of the enduring conflict between individual rights and the forces of exploitation, "The Measure of a Man" is also a worthy successor to the literature of the anti-slavery activists of the 19th century. Watch "The Measure of a Man" and then read an abolitionist classic like "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," or "David Walker's Appeal." With "The Measure of a Man," the "Star Trek" creative team has produced an episode that is full of moral relevance.

Easily, One of Trek's Finest Hours
Commander Data is to be 'retrieved' by famed Starfleet scientist Commander Bruce Maddux for ... disassembly?

This exceptional morality play about the nature of existence has wonderful depth for being a mere forty-plus minutes. In record time, it manages to deal with such titillating sci-fi subjects as the man vs. machine controversy, a person's right to choose, and even slavery.

Brent Spiner, as Commander Data, is at top form in this episode, given perhaps the greatest story possible: a story tinkering with a hidden sense of euthanasia and his right, as a manufactured being, to make the choices that determine his fate. Picard Stewart, as his captain and defense attorney in court, gives an incredibly stirring speech about the nature of epistemology.

Another must-see ... but not just for Trek fans.

Social progress? What social progress?
I'm always a little disappointed when I watch this episode. It's sound in concept but uneven in execution.
Riker and Picard go head-to-head before a judge who must rule whether Data is a sentient being or not. Data is an android, so what should happen when he turns out to have wishes that conflict with those of his superior officers at Starfleet Command? Does he have the right to refuse to participate in a risky experiment, or not? Is he person like those around him, or a tool for their use?

It seems hard to believe that the practice of justice, in particular the adversarial process and arbitrary rulings by judges, has not changed at all in four hundred years. More than that, Riker's courtroom arguments really are nothing more than a sideshow display, making Picard's despondency about his own case very difficult to understand. The judge's final verdict draws on almost nothing of the arguments presented before her, which undercuts the point of Riker and Picard making their presentations at all. However, these problems are balanced to some degree by fine performances from all the actors, and some excellent interplay between Picard and Judge Louvois.
On a final note: it would have been good if the writers of Star Trek: The Next Generation had demonstrated some social change/progress from the twentieth century to the twenty-fourth, rather than just having the characters proudly claim that it has occurred. This was an episode crying out for such a context.

I compute, therefore I am
As the Enterprise docks with a newly commissioned Star Base, Commander Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) announces that in his persuit of cybernetics research, he has decided that Lt. Commander Data is a mere machine, not sentient, and he intends to disassemble him so he can one day make many more like him.

Devoid of true emotions, Data is actually intrigued by Maddox's work, yet believes it is flawed and does not wish to risk his life for Maddox's research. When he is given orders by Starfleet to participate in the dangerous experiments, he resigns his commission, only to have his ace trumped by Maddox again, who claims Data is no different than a talking tea kettle, and somehow has become property of Starfleet.

Picard asks the Judge Advocate General, Phillipa Louvoi (Amanda McBroom) to call a hearing to save Data from Maddox's Frankenstein-esque wiles. The understaffed, newly open star base has no qualified prosecuters, so the J.A.G. drafts Commander Riker the dubious "honor" of representing Maddox's cause in the hearing, letting Picard be defense council. When Riker refuses, he is told that if he does not participate in this capacity, the J.A.G. will rule in favor of Maddox, giving Riker no choice but to diligently fight for Maddox's cause in the hope that he will lose.

As a viewer of the show, it's easy to buy into the fact that Data is not merely a machine, but a person... but if this was science fact and not science fiction, would we feel the same way? That a machine built with circuits should be afforded the same rights as a human being? Probably not, but who knows?

Riker and Picard pull out all stops in representing their respective sides, each doing an admirable job. Data must also defend himself, which he does pragmatically - expressing his desire to retain his right to choose and to his very life. This issue comes up again later in episode 64, in which Data constructs a child, his daughter, Lal, who Starfleet eyes greedily.

A great episode.

Does Data have a soul?
I was interested in watching this after watching the classic The Outer Limits episode, "I Robot" (episode 41), staring Leonard Nimoy where the same question was explored... also in a court room.

A lot of philosophy is explored in this episode. But the acting is magnificent with the exception of Judge Advocate General Philipa Louvois who gave some poorly delivered and cheesy lines. Plus for a JAG officer, she sure seems to be shocked by statements made in court more than you would think or believe. But Jonathan Frakes, I believe, gives the best performance as he is given the unbearable task of actually prosecuting Data. You could really feel his pain in performing the task he did not want to do. This also has one of the better poker bits this show ever produced as Data plays poker for the first time.

Like "I Robot," this makes you think. While I developed my own ideas of who I thought was right and wrong and in between, this episode leaves enough open for you to explore your own ideas. Which, I believe, is one of the strengths of this episode. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Okay, blame it on Geordi La Forge. It's his slip of the tongue that causes all the mayhem in this episode. After Data ruins a perfectly good holographic adventure by jumping to the end of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, the frustrated chief engineer asks the computer to create an adversary worthy of defeating the android. What Geordi meant to say was an adversary worthy of Holmes, but never mind. The computer obliges and Moriarty is born. Literally.He comes equipped with superintelligence approaching consciousness and a direct line to the main computer. Somehow, Dr. Pulaski gets thrown into the mix--as a crumpet-eating hostage, of all things--and Moriarty starts messing with the Star Trek universe as we know it and turns reality on its ear.

TNG is at its best when it doesn't take itself too seriously. "Elementary, Dear Data" is an utterly charming outing into high-tech Victorian wacky land. In fact, this episode proved to be so popular that the story was continued three years later in "Ship in a Bottle." The writing is excellent and Daniel Davis is sublime as Moriarty, the hologram who's sentient and knows it.This makes many best of Trek episode lists, and is simply a must-own for all TNG fans. --Kayla Riggney ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A major philosophical point is largely ignored
This episode is more memorable for the extremely significant philosophical point that is largely ignored than it is for the dialog and battle between Data as Sherlock Holmes and a holographic Professor Moriarty. During a lull in duties, Geordi and Data retire to the holodeck where Data is Sherlock Holmes and Geordi is Dr. Watson. However, since Data has memorized all of the stories featuring Holmes, he quickly resolves the mysteries, which frustrates Geordi. In an attempt to spice up the game, Geordi instructs the holodeck computer to create an adversary capable of defeating Data in a battle of wits. The computer complies, creating a conscious, intelligent and self-aware Professor Moriarty, capable of programming the Enterprise computer and gaining control of the Enterprise, all from inside the holodeck.
Eventually, since the program cannot be terminated, Picard is forced to enter the holodeck and meet Moriarty face to face. Picard explains the situation to Moriarty, who returns control of the Enterprise to Picard. In return, Picard has the computer save the Moriarty character, with a promise to revisit the issue in the future.
Since it is the Enterprise computer that creates the sentient Professor Moriarty, the question becomes: Is the Enterprise computer sentient? The answer to this is most certainly no. In the episode "Q Who?" Geordi laughs at Ensign Gomez for being polite to a food dispenser. His statements indicate that he does not consider it to be sentient. Furthermore, the events in all the other episodes support this position. Therefore, the action in this episode is based on the premise that the non-sentient Enterprise computer created a sentient consciousness that is in many ways just as alive as any other creature. The fact that it can exist only in a holodeck is not significant as many organisms can exist only in their specialized environment. This is a very deep philosophical and scientific issue that is largely ignored.
A second problem is the ease with which Geordi misprograms the computer. Given the power of the Enterprise computers, there should be much greater safeguards to make sure that an error in speaking is not misconstrued. The number of safety and security overrides would have to be enormous, and there would have been an immediate directive to fix this obvious and serious software defect.
With these problems aside, this is still a good episode. Moriarty is a character who is devious, ruthless and yet a gentleman. It was a very wise move when he was brought back in a future episode. Dr. Pulaski is adorable in her Victorian outfit as she accompanies Data and Geordi back to the streets of London during the reign of Queen Victoria. There is just too much direct and subtle activity packed into it.

Fun to watch!
Who cares about the technical part of it.
its a fun chase!

It's not elementary.It's not even entertainment!
Based on some prior reviews I bought this. Boy, was I disappointed.
Even though some of the other reviewers give away the plot and surprises, I thought I would enjoy this. All I can say is you have to be brain dead to be entertained by this. Gene Roddenberry would be very disappointed!
Be warned: Data DOES NOT turn out to be Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy, Professor Moriarty.
And yes, Data defeats Professor Moriarty before the professor defeats him.
I think you would have to check your brain at the door to like this one. I really do not understand all the glowing reviews from the other customers.

Cool Episode
This is one of my very favorite episodes. One thing I thought was cool was how they had the bullet holes in wall. For those unfamiliar with the Sherlock Holmes stories, Holmes practiced shooting his gun indoors and shot the letters VR into his wall. Look for it right after Goerdi makes a comment about all the detail.

Data the Detective
Data as Sherlock Holmes

Rob Bowman of X-Files directing fame helms this episode. It's about the Sherlock Holmes program aboard the holodeck. Data wants to create an adversary worthy of his talents. He does. Almost brings down the starship and crew with him. This one marks the debut of "The Nanny" actor Daniel Davis as Moriarty. For those of you who ever read Holmes; Moriarty was his nemesis. Daniel Davis delivers as the episode's villain. There are a few good scenes with Dr. Pulaski. She tells Data that he can't be creative and only solve mysteries that are variations on the ones he's read. She argues that Data is incapable of being creative. Data more than proves that she is wrong. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Chuck Norris carries the torch of Justice in the West!
Those of us who are "Proud to be an American" will all agree that Chuck Norris has done an unbeatable job of picking up the torch once carried by some of our nation's best known and loved men of justice ... Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, and the Lone Ranger! These episodes even include the mystery and detective sides of Charlie Chan, Dragnet .. all wrapped into one ... but now with a new addition of incredible kick boxing by some some of the world's champs! Easy to identify with, the good guys are REAL ... not perfect heroes, but folks who strive to uphold justice, truth, and right to the best of their abilities. Every episode covers a current issue (no namby pamby cattle rustling here!), and keeps you on the edge of your seat with adventure, intrigue, mystery, crime, and of course ... a touch of Texas! Great filmatography too! All are close-captioned and can be made even more suitable for average age family viewing with the use of the Nocursing.com computer box to remove the mild unsuitable language if so desired.

Chuck Norris Carries the Torch of Justice in the West!
Those of us who are "Proud to be an American" will all agree that Chuck Norris has done an unbeatable job of picking up the torch once carried by some of our nation's best known and loved men of justice ... Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, and the Lone Ranger! These episodes even include the mystery and detective sides of Charlie Chan, Dragnet .. all wrapped into one ... but now with a new addition of incredible kick boxing by some some of the world's champs! Easy to identify with, the good guys are REAL ... not perfect heroes, but folks who strive to uphold justice, truth, and right to the best of their abilities. Every episode covers a current issue (no namby pamby cattle rustling here!), and keeps you on the edge of your seat with adventure, intrigue, mystery, crime, and of course ... a touch of Texas! Great filmatography too! All are close-captioned and can be made even more suitable for average age family viewing with the use of the Nocursing.com computer box to remove the mild unsuitable language if so desired.

One Riot,One Ranger
Chuck Norris is wonderful as always in this movie were else can you see bad guys get beat up and learn about compassion and tolerance at the same time

Humm,sad.....
Irritatingly do gooder texas ranger in need of a good shave goes around with his normless,cack partner for half an hour busting see through,pityful crimanals 'like they did in the old west.'Really,how sad.If yoyu find this kind of thing entertaining,please see. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Gus Van Sant made his name with this offbeat story of a small group of drug addicts who heist pharmacies to feed their habit. Matt Dillon completely broke with his juvenile persona as Bob, the grungy ringleader and jittery mastermind of a junkie crew. With his frustrated wife Dianne (Kelly Lynch), his loyal partner, the easygoing Rick (James Le Gros), and Rick's juvenile girlfriend Nadine (Heather Graham in an early role), Bob plots ingenious heists and spends the rest of his days sitting around the house getting high. When the heat becomes too intense in Portland, the quartet hits the road for small-town drug stores and hospitals, but when their luck runs out it does so in grand fashion. Set in the Pacific Northwest of 1971, Van Sant so effortlessly re-creates the period that you'd think the film was a time capsule--except for the attitude. Van Sant refuses to moralize and lines his sympathies behind his characters. They're no heroes, but Van Sant can't cast them as villains either. His low-key direction concentrates on the flavor of day-to-day life for a crew of junkies living from fix to fix. Even his drug imagery is inventively placid, a dreamy set of floating visions that suggests their own disembodied states. James Remar costars as the dogged police detective Gentry and cult author William S. Burroughs makes a memorable appearance as the aging junkie Tom the Priest. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Northwest Junkie Pranksters
I am always surprised at how many people have not heard of this film. Although released back in 1989, this is definitely one of Van Sant's best films. This flick takes you into the day to day routine of Bob (played by Matt Dillon) and his melancholic and nomadic band of junkies who roam around the Pacific Northwest raiding pharmacies and hospital drug cabinets in search of Valium, Dilaudid and other narcotic goodies to pop, shoot and snort.

The mood of this film is generally very dysphoric however some comic relief is added throughout in the dialogue and 'trippy' visual imagery. Some of the pranks they pull on the detective they are eluding are also pretty humorous.

The movie definitely captures the 70's era well with its acting, dialogue and wardrobe. Superb acting by Dillon as the intimacy phobic, restless and highly superstitious ringleader, Kelly Lynch as his less than satisfied girlfriend, James LeGros as simpleminded Rick, and Heather Graham as the young ditzy neophyte who literally goes overboard trying hard fit into this group of merry prankster junkies.

This movie is a creative little exploration into the day to day routine and psyche of the junkie, so if you can't handle the portrayal of this reality, then this is another movie that isn't for you. Interestingly, William Burroughs plays a short role as a junkie priest, adding some penetrating social commentary towards the end.

As dark as comedy can come
Remember one thing when watching this film: DRUGSTORE COWBOY is a comedy; the darkest comedy for its time but a comedy nonetheless. It was a breakthrough in so many ways. Obviously, Gus Van Zant got a career going. Independent films were beginning to be taken seriously.But Matt Dillon finally proved that he was more than a chiseled face. His comedic performance here would be his best. "No hats on the bed!" Even though he was wildly funny in THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, he's three times better here.

There are moments when I've felt that individual scenes are better than the whole. I love William Burrough's scenes as a junkie priest. In one scene, after one of Dillon's friends o.d.s in a motel, Dillon goes to unbelieveable lengths to hide the body in a crawlspace. Once he's completed this gruesome task, he realizes that the motel complex is surrounded by State Troopers--for a convention! The look on Matt Dillon's face is priceless.

Please take a look at this dark and funny film. Forget about some of the poorer qualities of the DVD (although they are annoying). DRUGSTORE COWBOY is worth the viewing.

drugs and thugs
this one is about 4 losers who rob drug stores for..............what else?................drugs!then they either take them or sell them.nobody important showed up on audition day.this is not a lifetime movie and can be enjoyed by the guys.it does look inexpensive like a lifetime movie though.it is not nasty like that movie with leonardo dicaprio where hes a junkie or trainspotting with thier lewd and disgusting scenes and dead babies.there are 2 really obnoxious people here.one is a slow kid from next door who keeps trying to hang with the big kids and the other is one of the main 4 characters who constantly screws everything up.the real deal is this movie is good.since no one else will say it,i will........if you want to make a good movie about heroin and other narcotics,just cut out the screaming rehab workers,the gay men in the bathroom stalls and all graphic displays of bodily functions.oh and no one AND I MEAN NO ONE is amused by the dead baby scene in trainspotting.so,my point is this movie follows that formula and is therefore good.

Dillon is bad to the bone
loved this movie with a fire. Im a huge fan of Matt Dillon's work and he gives probably the best performance of his career and he hasnt topped it yet. he plays a druggy and he has a girlfriend played wonderfully by Kelly Lynch and he has two friends, James LeGros and Heather Graham and he also has a cop on his ass played nicely by James Remar. later a stealing of drugs goes bad and Graham kills herself so Dillon wants to rehabilitate and start over with his life and he checks in and he finds out one of his former teachers is going there. Max Perlich also stars as a dimwitted drug dealer. powerful anf funny. the bet scene is where that guy comes out of his house and shoots the cop on the ladder

Independent Film making at its Finest
The best aspect of Drugstore Cowboy is that any sententious moralizing about getting high is kept to a minimum while the audience is left to make up its own mind regarding the pros and cons of tuning in, turning on, and dropping out.

Set in Portland during the early 70s; Van Sant has put together one of the finest independent films ever. Excellent quips such as Dillon's character referring to a young junky as a "TV Baby" make for a meaningful and scintillating script. It's also a humorous movie with certain scenes retaining an understated comic appeal. While the sets give a fantastic portrait of 1970s west coast junkie life.

The always intriguing late William Burroughs makes an appearance in the last quarter of the picture as Father Murphy, a well known old school addict who also happens to be a man of the cloth. The dialogue between him and Dillon's character is the high point of the movie; writing just doesn't come much better than this.

Drugstore Cowboy is simply brilliant all the way around and stands as an example of what American film making can achieve if the giant studios are kept from meddling in the artistic process.

It should be remembered that Burroughs classic book on the dope scene: "Junky", would make for a nice companion to the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

"A Dutch Treat"
"Soldier of Orange" is the story of several young residents of the Netherlands who become involved in World War II. I believe it is the best film directed by Paul Verhoeven - far better than anything he has made since coming to the U.S. from the Netherlands. Rutger Hauer is also excellent in the film. A VHS version of this film was available some years ago in the U.S. but letterboxing brings the film back to its original theater experience. This film is absolutely in my "Top 10" of all time list.

Pretty Good Stuff
I'm a big fan of Paul Verhoeven's American movies. Once I moved to Holland, I thought I'd check out his older Dutch movies. I found an English-subtitled version through Amazon.com and I wasn't dissappointed. It is one hell of a war movie. One of the best I've seen. It was pretty cool to see Rutger Hauer acting in his native Dutch language before he went off to Hollywood as well. Another recognizeable actor, Jeroen Krabbe, is in this too.

I didn't even mind reading subtitles through almost the whole movie(some parts of it are in English).

If you like war movies, check this out. If you like Paul Verhoeven's weird sense of humor, check it out too.

Soldier of Orange - DVD with commentary by Verhoeven
Soldier of Orange with commentary by Director Paul Verhoeven is a must-see for all history buffs, WWII historians and lovers of war movies. Based on the life of Erik Haselhoff Roelfzema, it chronicles his life in the resistance and that of a small group of law students in Leiden, The Netherlands. Verhoeven's commentary is worth the price of the DVD as he explains scene by scene what he tried to portray,