Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Crappy film

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

RELEASED TO TV IN 1999 and directed by Uli Edel, "Purgatory" chronicles events circa 1888 when a gang of outlaws led by Blackjack Britton (Eric Roberts) holds up in a mysterious hidden town called Refuge where the inhabitants seem overly gracious and pacifistic. Respectful greenhorn Sonny (Brad Rowe) increasingly suspects something strange is happening. Sam Shepard plays the Sheriff, Donnie Wahlberg his deputy, Randy Quaid the doctor and JD Souther a shop-owner. Amelia Heinle and Shannon Kenny are on hand in the feminine department.Other than the action-packed opening, this is a town-bound Western. While you can pick-up the made-for-TV quality right away, the movie scores well in its intriguing premise and quality writing. There are fantastical elements akin to "Pale Rider" (1985) and "High Plains Drifter" (1973). The movie's pretty much on par with the former and superior to the latter IMHO due to the more engaging story and weighty subtext.THE FILM RUNS 1 hour, 34 minutes and was shot in Barstow and Burbank Studios, California. WRITER: Gordon T. Dawson.GRADE: BADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read unless you've watched the movie).Some viewers misunderstood the premise of the movie. The town of Refuge isn't just for outlaws; it's the "last chance" for the "marginally good," as phrased in the movie; it evens says something like the inhabitants were plucked from the incorrigibly wicked. As such, the citizens (not visitors) have different identities and occupations than in their former lives. For instance, Billy the Kid is now Deputy Glen, not a gunfighter; and Dolly Sloan is now Ivy, not a prostitute or suffragette. Holliday was now Doc Woods, an M.D. and not a dentist, who wasn't skinny because he no longer has tuberculosis.Just the same, Jesses James was now a shop owner named Brooks and was no longer robbing trains. Some contend that James deserved immediate damnation because he was a notorious bank/train robber, but the movie implies that he was corrupted by the Civil War during his developing years which involved the bloody guerrilla warfare in Missouri/Kansas and therefore he is given a "last chance" in Refuge .As for the dubious chronology, Holliday might have been a relatively recent arrival and therefore the reference to "10 years" in regards to Hickok's death actually meant "about 10 years." So the events could be taking place in 1888 or even 1889.The movie suggests that Sonny was read-up on famous Western figures and so recognized clues to their real identities. He only suspected who they really were. And this was eventually verified as he increasingly discovers the supernatural nature of Refuge. In other words, it wasn't like he instantly recognized these individuals and was 100% sure of their semi-infamous identities based on dime-store novels.Lastly, some complain that the movie supports the questionable idea that shooting people makes you a candidate for eternal life. Actually, it advocates selfless bravery and commitment to justice: Blackjack & his gang proved that they were chronic thugs and a serious threat to others; taking a violent-if-necessary stand against them was the only answer since they were incurable. The best way to stop a bad person with a gun is via a good person with a gun.

I found this movie to be an unexpected letdown. The premise and cast seemed promising enough, but the script wasn't able to deliver. It's interesting to point out that although I was initially unaware that it was a made-for-TV movie, halfway through it felt like I was watching Wifetime. The film is littered with clichés, inconsistencies, and unanswered questions. For instance, when the first gang member was killed (presumably by god) for attempting murder, why weren't the rest treated the same way? In fact, with that precedent (that the townspeople were protected by god), there wouldn't have been anywhere for the story to go. So why was that scene even included? And why would being innocently killed by the gang cause the sheriff to go to hell? But, despite the obvious problem areas, this film should be moderately enjoyable for the Western lover.

I first saw this picture a couple of years ago about twenty minutes into it, and it's maintained my fascination ever since. I got to watch the entire story today and right out of the gate, it goes to my list of "Top Ten Films You Never Heard Of". There's more to it than just a unique meld of the Western and Sci-Fi genres; I think there's something ultimately fascinating and satisfying about an assortment of former outlaws that remains true to their principles, even if it means damnation to hellfire and brimstone. In this case, a quartet of deceased historical Western figures decides to stand up for their town after being challenged by a still alive member of the Blackjack Britton gang.The way the story unfolds is what makes it so unique. A bank robbery in Sweetwater goes badly, and Blackjack (Eric Roberts) leads his band's escape into an idyllic countryside and a small town called Refuge. One's first hint that there's something unusual in Refuge comes when Sheriff Forrest (Sam Shepard) tells the outlaws that there's no telegraph office or newspaper in town, and cursing is only allowed in the local saloon. What the gang sees as easy pickings is the sheriff's decision not to wear a gun, along with the herd mentality of the townsfolk in keeping with their daily church service. The way it's all revealed though is with a keen focus on where the story needs to go if the spiritual angle is to be made believable.I can think of one improvement I would have made when it came to the inevitable showdown between the good guys and the Britton gang. Remember how the church bell tolled to herald the encounter? Wouldn't it have been great if it only rang twelve times for a different kind of 'High Noon'. Really, I found myself counting and it went beyond twelve, fifteen I think it was. Not a big thing, but that would have been a great subliminal tribute to my all time favorite Western.As for the gunfight itself, it was a keenly protracted and bloody affair, reminiscent somewhat of the 1993 film "Tombstone" and it's treatment of the Gunfight at the OK Corral. The film's minor hero Sonny Dillard (Brad Rowe) survives his mortal wounds to inherit the sheriff's badge when he passes on the stage ride to the other side. Sonny's romantic involvement with Refuge resident Rose (Amelia Heinle) was never overdone, and the way the story brought it to a conclusion was entirely satisfying.Oh yeah, one final comment about the Indian Gatekeeper portrayed by Saginaw Grant. He never had a name in the story, but depending on your inclination, he could have been Geronimo or Sitting Bull to round out the historical roster of names on display. For my part, and in keeping with the spirit of the picture, I like to think of him as Crazy Horse.

This one caught my attention because horror and western are my two favorite film genres, and it's not every day you encounter a movie that falls into both categories. Granted, "Purgatory" is primarily a western that merely just hints at supernatural horror themes, but still it's an admirably effort to blend two very versatile genres. It's also a pretty decent film, especially considering it's made for cable and starring a long list of nearly washed up B-move actors. Imagine what a wedding between "Bonanza" and "The Twilight Zone" would look like and you suddenly got a good idea what to expect of "Purgatory". Following a bank robbery gone wrong and a severe sandstorm, the notorious outlaw Blackjack Britton and his large group of rovers arrive in a remote little town called Refuge. The inhabitants of this unworldly village are all exaggeratedly friendly and obliging, yet they strangely look like legendary gunslingers that are all supposed to be rotting in hell already. Could this secluded place be their last chance for redemption? And will they be able to resist picking up their guns again when their peaceful community is threatened by these fugitive criminals? It's really a worthwhile effort, with a reasonable portion of action sequences and a fairly intelligent script. The B-cast does a splendid job and it's pretty damn difficult to select a favorite performer. Eric Roberts hasn't played such a good role since the early 1990's and it's always a joy to look at Peter Stormare, Randy Quaid and John Dennis Johnston. The most surprisingly pleasing performances come from Sam Shepard and Donnie Wahlberg (as Billy the Kid). I was hoping for director Uli Edel to emphasize a little more on the potentially great horror aspects in the story, but we still ended up seeing a competent western, so no complaints here.