beorhhouse There are a number of ways this film can be understood. A revenge tale, a tale of the insane Old West, a tale of pedophilia, a Slasher film, or maybe a Cautionary Tale about following anyone in organized religion--especially since Jesus never established any such thing and does not require it. Go back and study that if you contend with me, but you'll still be wrong. This is a deeply disturbing film, and sadly will not become a Classic Western like Dances With Wolves or Hostiles--and this is because of the horrid subject matter, being basically that a psychopathic father who is also a fringe Dutch preacher twists Holy Scripture to prove that since his wife won't be intimate with him that he has the right to take his 13-year-old daughter to bed. And he does, of course. Later in the film, he comes within minutes of raping his daughter's 8-year-old girl. Best line in any film, and I paraphrase: "It's not the flames of Hell that hurt the most, but the absence of Love." The absence of God. The separation from God. That is Hell. Many of us experience this even before we die. He did. What about you?

leotkonewton About a third of the way into this I was thinking it a somewhat Cormac McCarthy-esque type of film, only without the good writing. But, still, interesting in a fashion. Then it falls off the rails. Sure, life was brutal for women in the day, but none of the female characters here helped themselves at all, only made the absolute worst decisions at the worst times. Also, most men are horrible jerks or criminals, and the very few good men are dumb as oxen. Finally, why don't film characters ever realize that guns are NOT knives? You don't have to get so close to someone as to touch them--or allow them to take your gun and kill you with it. Oh, that's right: BAD WRITING! Stand back a few feet and just pull the trigger WITHOUT the grandstanding speech. Sheesh! That's where I booked out, end of third act. Too late for me; save yourselves, and take a pass.

areatw It's impossible for anybody to say that they 'enjoyed' this film, because there's nothing at all to enjoy. It's a dark, bleak and utterly depressing film from the first scene to the last. What makes 'Brimstone' worth watching is its gripping storyline, first rate cinematography and fascinating bunch of character. It has the feel of a high end, expensive production and is difficult to fault in a technical sense.'Brimstone' is brutal and uncompromising in its approach and features no end of violence and torment. This contributes to a tense and depressing atmosphere which remains throughout the film. A lot of people will be put off by this alone, and I wouldn't recommend watching this film if you aren't in the mood for something emotionally deep and powerful. Those who give it a chance though are rewarded with a very well made film with a gripping storyline that, despite the truly miserable tone, is definitely worth your time.

twinklebelle The story is harrowing, thought-provoking and dark.Dakota Fanning played an exceptional part, Guy Pierce definitely brought an evil so gross I felt uncomfortable in my stomach at times.To the reviewers that could not believe he could be where she was/find her, remember she has distinctive features I.e two moles on the back of her neck. A man, hell-bent on finding and torturing his daughter shows how compelled he is to complete his goal. Pushed to the brink of desperation, Liz/Joanna forfeits her old life/self and cuts out her own tongue in the hope she would be somewhat unrecognisable and create a new life.I also find the cutting out the tongue quite symbolic, after witnessing and enduring the many horrors of her upbringing, she possibly vowed never to speak of them? That if she survived to old age, that life would die with her? Physically, nothing stopped the reverend and nothing and nobody got in his way until he put Liz's/Joanna's daughter in danger. But be warned, do not mess with a mother and her child! A mother's bond with her child cannot be easily broken and I think that reflects in the film.Religion played a huge part, although always in the background, the dark side of convincing one's self of behaviour and attitude that allows them to essentially make up their own rules and do whatever they want, so long as they pray or pay penance (with self harm), with men being above all else and only answerable to 'God'. Not for the faint-hearted, but eye-opening all the same.