classicsoncall The story had one of the more original opening scenes for a Western that I've come across; the idea of a female outlaw being brought to justice doesn't get much treatment in the genre. This one's a bit different too for Sam Elliott fans; even though his character is Marshal Bill Speakes, his demeanor gradually changes over the course of the film from a tough minded lawman to a vengeance seeking killer. At times he even has the caricature look of an outlaw with that bushy white mustache. In any event, it's hard to warm up to his character once the bullets start flying.His quarry throughout the picture is daughter-in-law Sarah O'Rourke (Linda Fiorentino), who teams up with itinerant hustler Jack Cooper (Craig Sheffer) after a stage hold up that opens the story. One might have reason to suspect that the outlaw gang was trying to get Miss O'Rourke released from the marshal's custody, but that was just a smokescreen for the real story. The widow Sarah was once married to Speakes' own son, who's abuse of his wife offered few alternatives. So she shot him, thereby engaging the marshal in a personal mission.The advantage see-saws it's way throughout the film after Speakes recaptures Sarah, leading up to a nasty gunfight that leaves an innocent rancher dead in the middle of town. By this time, Jack reunites with his crippled brother Walter (Frank Whaley) who has a penchant for admiring the night sky. It seemed a bit ironic to me that Jack got so upset with the big hole in the barn roof when there were literally hundreds more between the slats of the ceiling. He probably should have considered Walter's self medication with garlic and kerosene; that would have affected anyone's judgment.With two disaffected parties going up against each other, I'd guess most viewers' sympathies would rest with Sarah and Jake; Miss O'Rourke nailed it when she stated that her slimy husband 'was just like his daddy'. In almost as creative an ending as the picture's opening, the marshal gets gunned down by two fingers on the trigger of Jake Cooper's firearm. It's not one's traditional happy ending for a Western film, as the ride off into the sunset probably offered as many questions as answers.

FightingWesterner Working class criminal Craig Sheffer teams up with escaped murderess Linda Fiorintino, who's better at killing than he is. Together they plot a bank robbery fall in love (sort of), and try to elude ruthless US Marshal Sam Elliott, the father of the man Fiorintino killed.A solid enough western, The Desperate Trail rides the early 90's wave of renewed interest in the genre, brought about by the success of Unforgiven and Dances With Wolves.This has enough blood, guts, and bullets to satisfy action fans, as well as good production values and performances, especially Elliott who's apparently as good at being nasty as he is at being folksy.My only problem is that despite the fact that the climax is action-packed, it stops just short of being satisfying.

ccthemovieman-1 This western starts out very well, then gets too Rambo-ish, meaning the bad guys can't hit the side of a barn with their shots. Despite that credibility problem, it's a pretty good film with excellent sound, nice cinematography, some interesting special-effects and sound with the gunshots and wounds and a different kind of soundtrack. I needed the TV Guardian with this because there is an excessive amount of Lord's name in vain in here.Actually, this is a modern-day film noir put in a western setting. Edgy characters played by Sam Elliott (the ultimate cowboy face), Craig Sheffer, Linda Fiorentino (hard-nosed, as always), Bradford Whitford and Frank Whalley.

headhunter46 Sam Elliot plays a hardened Sheriff bent on capturing his daughter in law because she killed his son who had the audacity to beat her. The sheriffs methods at times seem heavy handed, but he is a dedicated lawman who will not shoot her at the first chance. No, he intends to see her hang. One of the most vicious lines in the movie is his while telling her what it's like. He tells her, "You can hear a neck snap, sounds like breaking a carrot." Excellent portrayals all around, even has a few surprises. I do feel that toward the end the woman on the run become a loose cannon, blazing away at any who offend. This might be taken as her rage against men who belittle and abuse women as had her husband, the son of the sheriff who hunts her down at all costs.