Product Details

• Actors: Gil Bellows, Samuel L. Jackson, Luke Kirby, Alan C. Peterson
• Directors: David Weaver
• Format: Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO
• DVD Release Date: September 25, 2012
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B008B9JSKU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,948 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

After twenty five years in prison, Foley (Samuel L. Jackson, The Avengers) is finished with the grifter's life. When he meets an elusive young woman named Iris (Ruth Negga), the possibility of a new start looks real. But his past is proving to be a stubborn companion: Ethan (Luke Kirby), the son of his former partner, has come up with an ingenious plan for a score and he wants Foley in. The harder Foley tries to escape his past, the tighter he is ensnared in Ethan's web of secrets, until it becomes all too clear to Foley that some wrongs can never be made right. Featuring all-star performances, The Samaritan shows how redemption often comes at a dangerously high price.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Contemplative Actioner With A Solid Samuel Jackson Lead: Intriguing, But Falls Short In The Final Act September 18, 2012

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:Blu-ray

Anyone anticipating "The Samaritan" to be a high octane thrill ride will probably have those expectations thwarted. Truthfully, I also didn't expect much from this Blu-ray and thought it would be an exercise in conventional action mayhem. It is, however, a movie with a lot more on its mind. "The Samaritan" is a surprisingly contemplative film about redemption and second chances. Featuring a solid Samuel Jackson, the screenplay takes its time in building a genuinely interesting story. Jackson gives one of his more complex performances as a man struggling to create a new life, a new identity, and start afresh. He's great and the movie serves up some terrifically unpleasant surprises (the twist at the half way point is a doozy)! But just as the movie approaches the final act, it falters. An intricate con to swindle a crime lord out of millions of dollars is set up with almost zero preparation and back story. If a clever grift is essential to your screenplay, however, it needs to be smart and believable (or in some cases breezy and fun). This one is so ill-conceived (major players change out hours before the meet, this must be one idiotic crime boss to not check out ANYTHING) that it almost derails the picture just when it's reaching the most pivotal moments.

Jackson plays an ex-con, recently paroled after a 25 year stint. He wants to live a quiet life, but he gets drawn into the criminal world again by the son of a former associate (Luke Kirby). Although reticent, Jackson allows Kirby an entrance due to the fact that he was personally responsible for his father's death. When a young woman in Kirby's employ (Ruth Negga) comes between the two, it just might be the leverage that Kirby needs to get Jackson to sign on for a job. Can Jackson extricate himself from an ever-tightening web? The build-up leads to a final confrontation (Tom Wilkinson plays the mark) that is effectively staged and emotional. But it really falls short in a set-up. Without believing anything about this final scenario, it really lessened the impact of the movie. The vibe of the film is gritty realness, this ending just didn't follow through on that promise.

Still, if you are a Jackson fan, this is one of his more nuanced roles of late. Beaten down by life, his detachment has a chilly truth. He is still a great actor capable of showcasing complex and multi-leveled roles, and this definitely qualifies. I liked Kirby's cool menace as well. Once again, "The Samaritan" works best when considered an introspective character study. It is marketed more as a non-stop action movie, though, and that really doesn't address the primary audience for the movie. This has a slow burn pace that builds tension. I just wish that the payoff was smarter. I went from being deeply engrossed to rolling my eyes in disbelief within minutes. About 3 1/2 stars. Let's hope Jackson keeps taking more challenging roles. KGHarris, 9/12.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Family ties! November 18, 2012

By zeus

Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very good movie that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Samuel L. Jackson performance is outstanding as always. Ruth Negga, a newcomer, is also really good.

Foley (Jackson) gets released from prison after serving 25 years for killing his partner. His partner's son wants revenge. Not the usual kind, a different kind of revenge. Then Iris (Ruth Negga), appears and falls in love with Foley. Everything is slow and for a moment we think is a love story or a back stubbing plot. At the 40 minute mark of the movie the plots gets really twisted and then we start guessing all the way to the end which is a surprise.

Four stars for the decent plot and the acting. Look forward to watch more movies with Ruth Negga. She has a great future in the business.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Samaritan January 7, 2013

By Maurice W Gardner

Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Samaritan,
Great Movie!! Love Samuel L Always bring the action. The price was good also. Can't wait for his next movie.