Product Details

• Actors: Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, Henry Thomas, Robin Tunney, Norbert Weisser
• Directors: Charles Haid
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Turner Home Ent
• VHS Release Date: October 10, 2000
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303962270
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,371 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Western Drama!, December 19, 2002

By 

skunktrain (So. California, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Riders of Purple Sage [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I cannot say how pleased I am that I succumbed to temptation, and ordered this tape. It is wonderful--will be one of my favorite Westerns.

I saw this film with my sweet grandmotherly mom, who is a big Zane Grey fan. She loved the film too, but she said she would have liked to seen two younger stars, instead of Ed Harris and Amy Madigan (real-life husband and wife). I quickly disabused her of her absurd notion that these two fine actors were miscast. They are wonderful, and give real and exceptional performances. Their maturity is an asset to the film. (I confess, I envy Madigan's ability to look so lovely and natural without any noticable makeup!) And Harris is an Oscar-nominated actor, to boot! They are both very capable actors, attractive and well-suited for this film.

The story is unusual in my opinion. A female (Madigan) is the central character, and she is a strong, independent person. I found her to be a refreshing change from the typical "macho" male-centered Western we are often used to seeing. She is a member of a close-knit religious sect (in the book they are Mormon, but the film does not specify). She is being pressured by some in her community to marry a particular man, who makes it obvious that he just wants her land and cattle. This fellow does many devious and underhanded things in his attempts to coerce her to marry him. A total creep.

In comes Harris's character, Lassiter, with his own agenda of revenge. He's a mysterious and seemingly formidable character, with a reputation as a dangerous gunman. He hangs around to help her out and to protect her from those who wish to control and dominate her. Lassiter also wants to glean some answers from her--things only she knows. And, of course, along the way, he develops feelings for her.

Henry Thomas (little Elliot of "E.T.", all grown up now) does a wonderful job as a youthful friend of Madigan, and his romance with a mysterious girl is very sweet as well.

Another thing I kept on appreciating throughout this movie is the outstanding scenery. True, if the story had been stale or acting been bad, the scenery wouldn't have made up for it, but as it was, it was a sublime icing on the cake. Beautiful photography, all through the film.

This movie was gripping, had some pretty exciting plot twists along the way, and kept us hanging until the end.

Highly recommended--a good western drama and romance. I look forward to seeing it again!

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST "RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE" THAT HAS BEEN MADE, April 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Riders of Purple Sage [VHS] (VHS Tape)

MR. HAID HAS GIVEN US A VIDEO THAT REALLY IS BASED ON THE ZANE GRAY BOOK, NOT JUST THE TITLE. IT IS SUPERBLY ACTED BY ED HARRIS AND HIS REAL LIFE WIFE, AMY MADIGAN. THE LOCATIONS AND SETS ARE GREAT! MUCH OF THE DIALOG IS TAKEN WORD FOR WORD FROM THE BOOK. THIS VIDEO IS A MUST FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS WESTERNS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT MOVIE!!! Where is the DVD????, May 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Riders of Purple Sage [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Wow! This is a great movie, and full of suspense and action! Wonderful acting and beautiful scenery! Should be released on DVD in widescreen 2:35/1 with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, at least! This is one I will buy, as soon as it is released!