Seraphim Falls | 
| Director: David Von Ancken
Actors: Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Wincott, Ed Lauter, John Robinson (ix)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.94
Buy Used: $2.09
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Rating:  67 reviews
Sales Rank: 18258
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 99
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: COLD17159D
UPC: 043396171596
EAN: 0043396171596
ASIN: B000NOIVT0
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: May 15, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
At the end of the civil war a colonel hunts down a man with whom he has a grudge. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 05/27/2008 Starring: Liam Neeson Angie Harmon Run time: 112 minutes Rating: R
Amazon.com
A great-looking, well-acted Western in the old-school tradition, Seraphim Falls is definitely worth a look for fans of the genre. There's nothing really new here (which explains why it played only briefly in theaters), and more than a few critics noted its obvious similarities to Clint Eastwood's classic The Outlaw Josey Wales. Still, you have to admire director and cowriter David Von Ancken (a 10-year TV veteran making his feature debut) for delivering an engrossing post-Civil War revenge story (cowritten with Abby Everett Jacques) that isn't hobbled by its overly familiar plotting. Blessed by the exquisite cinematography of John Toll (whose credits include The Thin Red Line, Almost Famous and The Last Samurai) and bolstered by a lush but unobtrusive score by Harry Gregson-Williams, this prestigious production begins very well indeed, with a wintry manhunt in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada, circa 1868. Former Union captain Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) is being tracked by a seemingly brutal pursuer named Carver (Liam Neeson) whose four-man posse (including veteran character actors Ed Lauter and Michael Wincott) is soon reduced to two. As the manhunt continues, Brosnan and Neeson make the most of minimal dialogue, and flashbacks give us hints about the tragic event that set this plot in motion. It's a simple, elemental tale of justice in the wilderness, with occasional quirks like a snake-oil vendor (Anjelica Huston) who appears literally out of nowhere, and a top-hatted Indian (Wes Studi) who gives the film a slight, mystical air of mystery. And while a more daring director might have opted for a more powerful visual style, there's something to be said for Von Ancken's straightforward approach, perfectly matched by Toll's breathtaking landscapes, shot on location in Oregon and New Mexico and ranging from raging rivers to sun-baked desert flats. None of this makes Seraphim Falls a particularly exceptional movie, but with a fine cast that also includes such familiar faces as Angie Harmon, Tom Noonan, Xander Berkeley, and Kevin J. O'Connor, there's ample reward in a film that doesn't pretend to be anything more than a respectable entry in its genre. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 62 more reviews...
 western is back November 2, 2008
Edgar Meritano (Mexico City)
It is a classical western where the revenge is the theme, Liam Neeson interprets a retired confederate colonel who seeks revenge against a union captain. the filmography is increddible and the actors too, glad to see a western revival this year
Edgar
 From hard and gritty to mythical and allegorical October 31, 2008
Mr. Stephen Kennedy (Doha, Qatar)
A film of two halves, but with a somewhat uncomfortable join.
This movie starts off with one of the most gritty and riveting hunts in recent memory. Pierce Brosnan's weatherbeaten and hardened ex Union officer is the hunted one, and Liam Neeson is the hunter, driven remorselessly by the ghosts of his past. The cold of the mountains, the pain of using a knife to gouge out a bullet and cauterize the wound, the chill of the water, the close quarters kills with the knife, all make for a visceral start with minimal dialogue and little explanation. Each man is completely single minded - one on survival, and one on revenge. As the chase moves onto the plains, we discover more about their past and the reason for the chase, marking a change in tone of the movie. As the plains give way to the desert, the movie takes an altogether more mythical and almost surreal mood, which is sure to divide audiences. Those expecting an action packed climax to the chase may feel cheated, however what we do get is at the very least thought provoking and I think lingers in the memory much more than a conventional showdown would have.
The director borrows heavily from the greats - the revenge themes of many a spaghetti Western, with the repeated flashbacks revealing a little more each time we see them reminiscent of Leone, also Ford's `The Searchers', as well as the atmosphere of Eastwood's Westerns. Borrowed the styles may be, but they are put together with a unique voice and vision, albeit in a somewhat hollow way in which the director too often substitutes myth and images for true drama. But what startling images they are! The photography is beautiful, whether it is the stark beauty of the mountains and snow, or the green of the plains or the arid expanses of the desert, and the images of the men facing off, or Angelica Huston in the desert, will stick with you.
The musical score to the movie is surprisingly restrained, but is a perfect accompaniment to the story - at first minimalist and somber in minor keys, reflecting the movies tone of survival and single mindedness, then the score switches to something more traditional as it enters the plains and the sphere of a traditional Western, and finally becomes wistful and dreamlike in the final stages. It's imaginative and subtle, always in the background and never grabbing your attention, but adding immensely to the tone and feel of the movie, almost like another character.
It is the final third of the movie which feels just a little longer than it should, with some ideas dragged out, and with changes of tone which leave the viewer almost feeling like he is being asked to start a new movie. What helps keep the viewer hooked are the leads, who are terrific, the two Irishman fitting into a Western with great assurance. Brosnan in particular makes the most of a very physical role, with much more subtlety than we might expect. Otherwise, a strong supporting cast of character actors is great to watch but frankly is given little of substance to do.
This is a flawed film, to be sure - but nonetheless it achieves what great cinema is supposed to - it stirs the emotions, and makes you think. Recommended.
A Gritty Western October 23, 2008
Michael B. Druxman (Los Angeles)
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Essentially a chase story, SERAPHIM FALLS is a fine, action-filled, gritty western in the classic tradition.
When we first see Pierce Brosnan, he's a lone figure atop the snow covered Ruby Mountains, warming himself at a campfire. Suddenly, two shots ring out, one of which hits him in the arm. Pierce can only run, sliding down the mountainside; ultimately falling into an icy rushing river and being swept over a steep waterfall.
His pursuer is Liam Neeson who, with his hired guns, has been after Brosnan for years. We don't learn his reason until late in the film which begins in the mountains and winds up in a parched desert.
Co-written (with Abby Everett Jaques) and directed by David Von Ancken, SERAPHIM FALLS is beautifully photographed by John Toll, and co-stars Anjelica Huston, Michael Wincott, Ed Lauter and Wes Studi.
My only problem with the film was Ms. Huston's role, which, since it changes the tone of the story, would have worked better had it been introduced earlier in the picture.
Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
 Great actors, slow movie October 14, 2008
Libby West (Tacoma, WA)
Disappointing. With star power like this - Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan - I was expecting much more. Very slow and pointless. Purchased this because of the stars and the cover art and was very disappointed.
unique...one great western! July 10, 2008
L. Calvert (waynesburg, pa)
i stumbled across this western gem in the local movie rental store. i gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised. this movie has some star power and different approaches then a lot of westerns. i like brosnan's use of his bowie knife. the ending can be a little bit of a challenge to accept but not all that disappointing. all in all i think this movie is unique in such an established genre. i'd recommend this flick to any action/western movie fan.
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