Customer Reviews

Durango: Hallmark Hall of Fame [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Young Mark is played by Matt Kesslar who is quietly in love with a girl. However, her strong-willed, nasty father, Fergus, played by Patrick Bergen has decided he will "take the head" of anyone courting his daughter. Not afraid, but also not stupid, Mark sets out to prove his manhood, hoping to impress cantankerous Fergus. Since he is a savvy but struggling cattle farmer, Mark refuses to be sucked into the fraudulent scheme of accepting half what his herd is worth. He undertakes an unprecedented 40 mile cattle drive, hoping to get his full price. The drive is made interesting by dangerous attempts at sabotage by jealous ranchers, and the presence of Brenda Fricker as his headstrong, feisty aunt. Brenda is, again, excellent in this role. In spite of danger, Mark's love and his business knowledge make him even more determined to end up with coins in his pocket and a wife on his arm.

The only reason I deducted one star is I felt the movie needed a tad more depth in the story line. Hallmark Hall of Fame chose a warm, family movie in this one...and the scenery is second to none.

I don't know why, but all the reviews on this soundtrack are about the film it accompanies. I haven't seen the film, but the music is incredible. It's by Mark McKenzie, who somehow doesn't have his name attached to it on this site. It's some of the most melodic and beautiful music written for film in the last 20 years. It's out of print, but the copies available here as I type this are very affordable. DO NOT PASS THIS ONE UP!

In this drama set in Ireland in the 1930s, Mark Doran (Matt Keeslar) is a young man who has grown up on a cattle farm and has fallen in love with lovely Annie Mullaney (Nancy St. Alban). However, Annie's father Fergus (Patrick Bergin) regards Mark as a callow youth and insists that he prove his manhood before Mark can ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. Mark sees an opportunity to prove himself and help his family at the same time when he becomes angry with the low prices offered by a local cattle broker; Mark decides that he will instead drive his herd 40 miles to the next available market, where's he's sure that they will bring in more money. Mark sets out to play cowboy with his rough-and-tumble Aunt Maeve (Brenda Fricker) in tow, but they soon run into interference from angry ranchers unhappy with Mark's stunt.

This movie is probably my all time favorite film. I love the characters, and the lead actors do a great job. What is great about the movie is how it weaves a strong romantic story with an important but true tale of farmers battling to get a fair price for the product, in this case cattle. The beautiful Irish scenery adds much to the story as does the wonderful uplifting music score. This is the only film I've ever forced onto some of my friends, encouraging them to watch it. The lead male and female characters, two young people in love, are both endearing characters and easy to root for.

What's also nice is this story is appropriate for all ages, and it has enough humor in it to balance the more dramatically tense moments. Young children might lose interest but it has good lessons for children who will watch it. It's just one of those movies that leaves you feeling good after you watch it.

Hallmark needs to release this on DVD - it seems to only be available on VHS.

This review is for the MUSIC, which is phenomenal!! This is such a beautiful soundtrack, you will listen to it often. It is one of my favorites from that exceptionally gifted composer Mark McKenzie. I recommend you buy all of his soundtracks!!

John B Keane's book was done justice by this movie. This movie has everything, a love story, action, historical facts and humour. It is definitely worth a look.

Without a doubt this score is one of the outstanding pieces written for any television movie. It rivals and in many respects exceed the legendary score of "Lonesome Dove". Mark McKenzie is one of the remarkable composers of film music although little is heard of his works. The score of "Durango" is uplifting, inspirational and vivid in the telling of the story. Once you listen to it I guarantee you will be inexorably hooked and it will become one of your favorite works.

Excellent movie. Excellent service. Excellent shipping. What more can I say. Everything was wonderful from start to finish!!!Made me feel good.

This movie has a great storyline, bit of a slow start but a great finish. The scenery makes it all worth it. Highly recommend.

Very boring movie, seventy five percent of the movie was moving cattle up the hill and down the hill and in the water,not good, yuk yuk!