MovieChat Forums > The Desperate Trail (1994) Discussion > What did you think of this movie ?

What did you think of this movie ?


It started out ok but when I heard the annoying soundtrack kick in with the church bells I knew it was going the wrong way. It didn't match the movie at all. The acting got worse too and the story went from bad to whatthehell? Not to mention the bad camerawork. It's sad that a fine actor like Sam wasted his time on a vehicle like this, it probable must have looked good on paper.



reply

Hated it. Only one sympathetic character, the astronomer brother. The Fiorentino character was overwhelmingly unappealing.

reply

I liked the "church bells" soundtrack. It was unique but I didn't find it jarringly incongruous. The first act was the best, but the rest of the film was still pretty good. I think it's a solid Western with a lot of drive.

SPOILERS FOLLOW:

I also found the story thought-provoking in that it's a commentary on spousal abuse, not just Sarah's motives for murder but the couple in the stagecoach as well. Plus Marshal Speakes was guilty of the "Eli Syndrome." Eli was a legitimate priest in the Old Testament who spoiled his sons and allowed them to run amok, carnally speaking, in their temple service. This ultimately brought God's judgment and their deaths. Just so, Bill Speakes was obviously a solid citizen, cattle baron and marshal who spoiled his son. His kin-bias wouldn't allow him to see the other side of the story; it blinded him. Although he WAS a good man and in some ways even a great man his kin-bias was his weakness and the "Eli Syndrome" successfully corrupted him. This is why he deserved his fate at the end.

reply

I thought this film was solid and enjoyable. Linda Fiorentino was in fine feisty form as Sarah. Moreover, it was an absolute treat to see Sam Elliott play a real ruthless bastard for once.

I'm a totally bitchin' bio writer from Mars!

reply

Sam Elliott..only reason to sit thru this in 95 or now.However,even Sam could not carry this mess...too bad.

reply

Sam Elliott..only reason to sit thru this in 95 or now.However,even Sam could not carry this mess...too bad.

reply

Sam was wasted in this movie. He was vastly superior to the rest of the cast and carried a movie that wasn't worth carrying.


We got a job.
What kind?
...The Forever Kind.

reply