Reviews (5)

Zane Grey's West

Director: Charles Haid
Format: Color
Studio: Turner Home Video
Video Release Date: March 4, 1997

Cast:

Ed Harris Lassiter
Amy Madigan Jane
The rest of the cast: unidentified

The original story is about Latter Day Saints in the story by Zane Grey. They are not so identified in the film version.

Lassiter, a feared gunman seeking the gravesite of his sister, who had a daughter before she died. Upon coming onto the ranch of Jane, he finds a situation where a young man is being held by an apparent lynch mob for his friendship with Jane. Lassiter frees him. When the pastor hears about Lassiter's mission to kill his sister's abductor, he tries to kill Lassiter, who wounds him instead.

This is an interesting story by the old master of Western stories, who once lived a few miles from here on the Rogue River of Oregon. If you've never read Zane Grey's stories you have a great experience in store.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

More like this please
Excellent western with fantastic scenery. Follows Zane Grey's book almost to the letter.

Outstanding Western Drama!
I cannot say how pleased I am that I succumbed to temptation, and ordered this tape. It is wonderful--will be one of my favorite Westerns.

I saw this film with my sweet grandmotherly mom, who is a big Zane Grey fan. She loved the film too, but she said she would have liked to seen two younger stars, instead of Ed Harris and Amy Madigan (real-life husband and wife). I quickly disabused her of her absurd notion that these two fine actors were miscast. They are wonderful, and give real and exceptional performances. Their maturity is an asset to the film. (I confess, I envy Madigan's ability to look so lovely and natural without any noticable makeup!) And Harris is an Oscar-nominated actor, to boot! They are both very capable actors, attractive and well-suited for this film.

The story is unusual in my opinion. A female (Madigan) is the central character, and she is a strong, independent person. I found her to be a refreshing change from the typical "macho" male-centered Western we are often used to seeing. She is a member of a close-knit religious sect (in the book they are Mormon, but the film does not specify). She is being pressured by some in her community to marry a particular man, who makes it obvious that he just wants her land and cattle. This fellow does many devious and underhanded things in his attempts to coerce her to marry him. A total creep.

In comes Harris's character, Lassiter, with his own agenda of revenge. He's a mysterious and seemingly formidable character, with a reputation as a dangerous gunman. He hangs around to help her out and to protect her from those who wish to control and dominate her. Lassiter also wants to glean some answers from her--things only she knows. And, of course, along the way, he develops feelings for her.

Henry Thomas (little Elliot of "E.T.", all grown up now) does a wonderful job as a youthful friend of Madigan, and his romance with a mysterious girl is very sweet as well.

Another thing I kept on appreciating throughout this movie is the outstanding scenery. True, if the story had been stale or acting been bad, the scenery wouldn't have made up for it, but as it was, it was a sublime icing on the cake. Beautiful photography, all through the film.

This movie was gripping, had some pretty exciting plot twists along the way, and kept us hanging until the end.

Highly recommended--a good western drama and romance. I look forward to seeing it again!

GREAT MOVIE!!! Where is the DVD????
Wow! This is a great movie, and full of suspense and action! Wonderful acting and beautiful scenery! Should be released on DVD in widescreen 2:35/1 with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, at least! This is one I will buy, as soon as it is released!

BEST "RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE" THAT HAS BEEN MADE
MR. HAID HAS GIVEN US A VIDEO THAT REALLY IS BASED ON THE ZANE GRAY BOOK, NOT JUST THE TITLE. IT IS SUPERBLY ACTED BY ED HARRIS AND HIS REAL LIFE WIFE, AMY MADIGAN. THE LOCATIONS AND SETS ARE GREAT! MUCH OF THE DIALOG IS TAKEN WORD FOR WORD FROM THE BOOK. THIS VIDEO IS A MUST FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS WESTERNS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

one of a kind
I found the movie both enlighting and puzzling. First of all we will never truely know what kind of love Sally and thomas really shared. Things that are written could have been fiction yet some may be true but we will never know the truth. I like the way the movie portrays thomas jefferson as a true mans, man and also showed the love that he had for his children.

A Great Movie
This movie dares to suggest that Thomas Jefferson might have loved his slave Sally Hemings. No one will ever know for sure if he loved her but if they had a relationship it would have lasted close to forty years. Can a man have a relationship with a woman for forty years and feel nothing for her, even if she was his slave and a black woman? Some people would suggest that but not this movie. Jefferson himself was a contradiction. He said slavery was wrong, yet he owned slaves. This movie focuses on the kind of relationship they may have had and the people they were. Sally is portrayed as a strong and educated woman. We know she went to France and she could have been educated while she was there. She is also the half sister of Jefferson's dead wife and she could have quite possibly looked like her. If Sally did look like Jefferson's dead wife, whom he loved dearly, could he have been attracted to her. Sally is shown as a woman that Jefferson could have loved. Jefferson is shown as a man wrestling inside with his public life and his private life. The relationship they have is tested many times but remains strong even after his death. It may be hard for some to believe that these two people loved each other but this movie suggests that they just didn't love each other but that they were devoted to each other. I like how it focuses on Sally's life because she is the one people know little about. It goes into detail about the kind of life she might have lived with her children and the joy and sadness she might have felt, living during this time. This movie offers a refreshing description of Sally Hemings and her life. If you are interested in history, Sally Hemings or Thomas Jefferson I recommend that you watch this movie. It might change everything you know about these two people. This is a great movie and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Historical and Fictional
This was a very good movie as long as you forget who the main characters are supposed to be. Jefferson was not really as weak as he was portrayed nor could Ms. Hemings be as forthright. The love affair portrayed could not have happened. Jefferson was still a racist and could only allow himself so much sentiment where a woman of color was involved...and love was too much. I thought, however, that it did a very good job in outlining the hypocrisy of the south and miscengenation laws--laws that Jefferson himself wrote and apparently broke. I also thought it did a great job of outlining what the Hemings family was known for and came to be known for: artistry, intelligence, courage, and their aid in the underground railroad. (no Sally was never captured and beaten as far as we know). Being a mini-series, it unfortunately could not go into detail about the lives of Eston and Madison Hemings, the children we actually know the most about, nor about the matriarch of the family, Betty Hemings. For more historical fiction on this family, try Barbara Chase-Riboud's "Sally Hemings" and "The President's Daughter" or Fawn Brodie's biography of Thomas Jefferson. The screenplay was written with much of Ms. Riboud's psychology in mind...and her Sally Hemings was more believable for the times.

Tale that tells everything but the truth. So What ?
Sure I like historical movies. But I really dislike haveing to re-learn all my history each time a new one comes out.

Ahh but what can you expect ? All the information in the world abot Sally Hemmings as a person could probably fit on a 3x5 index card. Sally Hemmings the DNA profile is a good bit longer than anything else we know about her.

That said -- I liked the Sally they invented for this movie. I wanted her to be smart and well educated and full of poise and grace. Why not assume the best ? And so the movie-makers have done just what we all have wanted. They have turned what was scandelous history into starcrossed lovers.

Sally is reputed to have been quite light skinned. This was a growing problem in the south after the importation of salvery ceased in the early 1800's. While in our day and age we think it foolish to judge a man by the color of his skin - it is shown to be even more foolish in this film. Many of Jefferson's children by Hemmings are portrayed by actors that we would call "White". How nicely this points up the fallacy of judging a many by his skin color.

Go ahead watch it. Just because you want to. Just don't use it for a history report at school.

Melodramatic Soap Opera
This movie is 10% history and 90% Hollywood. There are numerous historical inaccuracies and implausible speculations. The movie is basically a soap opera. It is significantly inferior to Jefferson in Paris, itself a mediocre movie, because there is little effort to make the movie accurate or plausible.

Very little is known about Sally Hemings or her relationship with Jefferson. The movie takes the position that they truly loved each other. This is at least plausible, given that Jefferson may have had six children by her, she was his dead wife's half-sister, and they apparently had a monogamous relationship that lasted around 40 years.

The movie portrays Sally as a woman with modern sensibilities--smart, independent, strong, outspoken. It is very likely that the real Sally was none of these--what are the chances that a black slave woman in the 18th century would be? And if she were anything like this, Jefferson would not have had a relationship with her--he liked his women to be docile and submissive. The real Sally was no doubt his ideal woman.

One of the many melodramatic events that stems entirely from the writer's imagination is that Sally helped slaves flee to the North and that she was captured by Southern slaveholders, who took her captive and whipped her. There is no evidence that anything like this happened, and it is unlikely in the extreme.

The movie was made obviously to capitalize on the recent DNA evidence that Hemings and Jefferson had a sexual relationship. As a Hollywood melodrama, it is mildly entertaining. But it is insulting to anyone with any interest in truth. ... Read more

Description

Hang on for the ride of your life as Walt Disney Pictures presents the action-packed adventure that delivers thrilling heroics and rugged scenery! Based on an incredible true-life story, a brave young man is thrust into adulthood as he and his courageous team of sled dogs embark on a grueling and treacherous cross-country marathon. Together they race through the frozen wilderness, carrying hopes of capturing the $10,000 grand prize that will save his family from financial ruin. With dogged determination and sheer iron will, they face impossible odds and hardships along the dangerous trail to his dreams. IRON WILL is high adventure that will thrill and uplift everyone! ... Read more

Reviews (33)

An engrossing family tale of courage and determination!
"Once in a generation an athlete pits himself against such overwhelming odds, that even the most jaded spectator finds himself cheering breathlessly"...

Iron Will is a moving true-life story about the determination and valor of one heroic young American who sets out to win a 500-mile dogsled race across the U.S. and Canada. Up against seemingly impossible odds, "Iron Will" Stoneman strives on to achieve his dream: to save his parents beloved farm and go to college; and somewhere along the way, the seventeen-year old boy becomes a man.

Although this movie is a bit formulaic and anyone can guess the Disney ending, that doesn't make it any less thrilling to watch; when I first saw this film in the theater, the whole room was cheering him on at the end! Definately worth your time to check out this great family-friendly film!

Iron Will
The story is about a 17 year old boy named Will. It takes place in Alaska. Their family worked on a farm, they were not very wealthy. But his father entered the dog sledding race, and Will went with him. His ftaher and the dog tried to cross the frozen river. The ice broke and his father fell in and died. After that, Will was determind to go to college. But his family didn't have enough money. So he entered the dog sledding race.
The story starts off with Will's father going into the race. During the race, his father falls into the frozen river and dies. Will decides after that. that he wants to go to college. But he doesn't have enough money, so he enters the dog sledding race. His mother doesn't want him to, because she is scared he migh die liek his father. But he does. He spends lots of time training and prearing for the race.So he enters the race as the youngest man. Will stays up late during the race, racing, instead of sleeping like the other racers, the other racers are not happy about this. And during the race, Will becomes very popular, because of a reporter making headlines about him. While racing, one of Will's dogs gets attacked by another racers dog. So Will has to decide to shoot him or keep him. He decides to take him along. Near the end of the race, Will is winning, and right before he gets to the finish line, he falls, and his dog that was hurt helps him up and they win the race.
I enjoyed this story alot because it was kind of sad, and it had a good storyline. It was very detailed, and made good points. I would recomend this story to other people. Especially people who like story's with action and reality. Because that is what this story is about.

Iron Will
I RECENTLY WATCHED 'IRON WILL' IN MY GEOGRAPHY CLASS AND I THINK ITS THE BEST MOVIE IVE SEEN IN MY LIFE. IT IS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN CALLED WILL STONEMAN AND HE IS QUITE POOR. WHEN HIS FATHER DIES WHILE OUT RIDING WITH WILL, WILL FEARS RIDING NEAR WATER. WILL ENTERS A DOGRACE AND SETS OFF EARLY EACH MORNING TO GET IN THE LEAD. THROUGH THE MOVIE WILL GETS THROUGH TOUGH OBSTICLES LIKE A MEAN MAN AND THE DEVILS SLIDE. WILL GETS FROST BITE AND PEOPLE THINK HE'S CRAZY FOR GOING ON BUT HE REALLY WANTS TO SAVE HIS MOTHERS FARM AND WILL ENDS UP WINNING WITH GREAT STRUGGLE AS HE FALLS OFF HIS SLED RIGHT BEFORE THE FINISHING LINE. THIS IS MOVIE HAS A VERY TOUCHING STORYLINE.

Enjoyable adventure film with some unusual features
I was expecting this to be a run of the mill Disney adventure movie, with the hero entering a race at the beginning, you know he's going to win, right? wrong. This is much harder than the typical family films we associate with Disney, without losing the quality. Young Mackenzie Astin (son of John) gives a great performance as a seemingly naive yet brave boy who enters a dog sled race to get the £10,000 he desperately needs to go to college. Nominal star Kevin Spacey wisely remains in the background and lets this young lad shine through. The story has a number of unexpected twists, that interest and delight throughout the movie. Who are Will's friends? Who can he trust? Will he stop to save a man's life if it means losing the race? The cinematography is masterful, both in the close-up work and views of Minnesota countryside (doubling for Canada) The film is also refreshing because the incidental music is restrained, and even absent in some scenes. This would be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good adventure with a touch of realism.

Iron will a mushers story
Iron will is great, sled dog enthusiests and kids alike will enjoy the tale of a boy who has a dull hope and a bright dream to save the family buisness, farm and his collage education.

A story of life at its cruelist of the hardships a musher faces in some of the world cruelist territory. An oldie but a goodie and as a sled dog freak one of my favourites even got a couple of good shots of the malamutes...which sadly are the bad guys dogs... ... Read more

Amazon.com

A complete lack of imagination is what qualifies this as a B movie. Thankfully, this snowy adventure about a boy and his dogs is charming enough to entice the kiddies. Charismatic MacKenzie Astin plays a teenager trying to save the family farm by entering a 522-mile sled-dog marathon. Except for Astin, the lusciously scenic background has more depth than most of the characters. This is so predictable you could take a nap and miss nothing except a few rousing scenes in the 1917 Winnipeg-to-St.-Paul sled race. Although this is visually more appealing than most family fare, one wishes more attention had been paid to the script. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (33)

An engrossing family tale of courage and determination!
"Once in a generation an athlete pits himself against such overwhelming odds, that even the most jaded spectator finds himself cheering breathlessly"...

Iron Will is a moving true-life story about the determination and valor of one heroic young American who sets out to win a 500-mile dogsled race across the U.S. and Canada. Up against seemingly impossible odds, "Iron Will" Stoneman strives on to achieve his dream: to save his parents beloved farm and go to college; and somewhere along the way, the seventeen-year old boy becomes a man.

Although this movie is a bit formulaic and anyone can guess the Disney ending, that doesn't make it any less thrilling to watch; when I first saw this film in the theater, the whole room was cheering him on at the end! Definately worth your time to check out this great family-friendly film!

Iron Will
The story is about a 17 year old boy named Will. It takes place in Alaska. Their family worked on a farm, they were not very wealthy. But his father entered the dog sledding race, and Will went with him. His ftaher and the dog tried to cross the frozen river. The ice broke and his father fell in and died. After that, Will was determind to go to college. But his family didn't have enough money. So he entered the dog sledding race.
The story starts off with Will's father going into the race. During the race, his father falls into the frozen river and dies. Will decides after that. that he wants to go to college. But he doesn't have enough money, so he enters the dog sledding race. His mother doesn't want him to, because she is scared he migh die liek his father. But he does. He spends lots of time training and prearing for the race.So he enters the race as the youngest man. Will stays up late during the race, racing, instead of sleeping like the other racers, the other racers are not happy about this. And during the race, Will becomes very popular, because of a reporter making headlines about him. While racing, one of Will's dogs gets attacked by another racers dog. So Will has to decide to shoot him or keep him. He decides to take him along. Near the end of the race, Will is winning, and right before he gets to the finish line, he falls, and his dog that was hurt helps him up and they win the race.
I enjoyed this story alot because it was kind of sad, and it had a good storyline. It was very detailed, and made good points. I would recomend this story to other people. Especially people who like story's with action and reality. Because that is what this story is about.

Iron Will
I RECENTLY WATCHED 'IRON WILL' IN MY GEOGRAPHY CLASS AND I THINK ITS THE BEST MOVIE IVE SEEN IN MY LIFE. IT IS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN CALLED WILL STONEMAN AND HE IS QUITE POOR. WHEN HIS FATHER DIES WHILE OUT RIDING WITH WILL, WILL FEARS RIDING NEAR WATER. WILL ENTERS A DOGRACE AND SETS OFF EARLY EACH MORNING TO GET IN THE LEAD. THROUGH THE MOVIE WILL GETS THROUGH TOUGH OBSTICLES LIKE A MEAN MAN AND THE DEVILS SLIDE. WILL GETS FROST BITE AND PEOPLE THINK HE'S CRAZY FOR GOING ON BUT HE REALLY WANTS TO SAVE HIS MOTHERS FARM AND WILL ENDS UP WINNING WITH GREAT STRUGGLE AS HE FALLS OFF HIS SLED RIGHT BEFORE THE FINISHING LINE. THIS IS MOVIE HAS A VERY TOUCHING STORYLINE.

Enjoyable adventure film with some unusual features
I was expecting this to be a run of the mill Disney adventure movie, with the hero entering a race at the beginning, you know he's going to win, right? wrong. This is much harder than the typical family films we associate with Disney, without losing the quality. Young Mackenzie Astin (son of John) gives a great performance as a seemingly naive yet brave boy who enters a dog sled race to get the £10,000 he desperately needs to go to college. Nominal star Kevin Spacey wisely remains in the background and lets this young lad shine through. The story has a number of unexpected twists, that interest and delight throughout the movie. Who are Will's friends? Who can he trust? Will he stop to save a man's life if it means losing the race? The cinematography is masterful, both in the close-up work and views of Minnesota countryside (doubling for Canada) The film is also refreshing because the incidental music is restrained, and even absent in some scenes. This would be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good adventure with a touch of realism.

Iron will a mushers story
Iron will is great, sled dog enthusiests and kids alike will enjoy the tale of a boy who has a dull hope and a bright dream to save the family buisness, farm and his collage education.

A story of life at its cruelist of the hardships a musher faces in some of the world cruelist territory. An oldie but a goodie and as a sled dog freak one of my favourites even got a couple of good shots of the malamutes...which sadly are the bad guys dogs... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Taut Psychosexual Drama
The usually June Cleaveresque Joanna Kerns takes a turn at steamy soft erotic drama in THE NIGHTMAN, directed by Charles Haid ("Renko" of "Hill Street Blues" fame).

The story concerns the sexual competitiveness of Kerns, as the mother/older woman proprietress of a run-down lakeside summer hotel, and Jenny Robertson as her daughter/Lolita. Both women vy for the attention of Ted Marcoux, who plays the young, irresistibly virile handyman/night manager of the hotel.

Kerns is unbelievably sensual and indubitably bitchy in her role, while the gamine Robertson fairly oozes hormones. Marcoux, as the Nightman of the title, is trapped between them, and is forced to make a choice. It is a decision which comes back to haunt him eighteen years later, when Robertson, now a psychologist, confronts him about occurrences at the hotel that long-ago humid summer.

Underrated, low-budget, and peopled with unknowns, without being explicit THE NIGHTMAN nonetheless manages to maintain a level of moody, stimulating tension throughout, which is hardly matched by most "adult" films. ... Read more

Description

This turner Network Televison movie tells the true story of the black calvary corps known as the 'Buffalo Soldiers.' These troops patrolled America's wild west after the civil ar. In addition to keeping the peace, these men had to fight the racism of their commsanders and other white corps soldiers. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Ignored chapter of American History...
This commendable film addresses a shamefully ignored chapter of U.S. history. Freed slaves were enlisted in the military to patrol Western territories. Many served with distinction, as the narrative here takes pains to point out. Thankfully, the film is not unduly preachy, and it is very well acted. But it remains a bit sketchy and is dramatically a bit on the limp side. Well worth watching, but it could have been better developed and edited.

trivia fact
The Col. Grierson portrayed in this movie is the same Col. Grierson portrayed by John Wayne in the Horse Soldiers.

Great Action and still tells what it was like then!
This movie really showed me how hard it was being a black back then. The movie which is based on real Buffalo Soldiers is filled with Action and Drama.

It is one of the best movies about black soldiers from then
It shows how it was in the that day for blacks .It tells the story of some of the first few black men that fought for thier country.

Little known piece of history
I saw this movie on cable and it is one of the best movies about the Buffalo Soldiers ever made. ... Read more