Riders of the Purple Sage

Having read the original novel after seeing the film, I was most impressed how well it adhered to the original plot line from the Zane Grey novel.

Ed Harris, an actor that I usually do not care for, was very, very impressive in this film. As Lassiter, I loved his delivery of the line to the bad Mormons: "Where I come from, a woman's word is law." Harris conveys the right portion of menace and due respect when necessary in his role.

I saw this on TV; I wish it had been on the big screen

Too bad Zane Grey never saw this version; I sure he would have been very happy with this production.

I watched this movie out of curiosity because I have the book and have read it; five times. My book is 4" x 7" and is 311 pages long. That seemed like a lot for a two hour (I believe it was two hours) movie. I wanted to see how good the movie was and what parts of the book the movie omitted. I liked the movie despite the fact that it very understandably omitted a lot from the book. I read through the other user comments quickly and found two that said they like the movie better than the book. I would like to encourage those of you who have seen the movie but not read the book to get the book and read it. Parts of the book tend to be grandiose, which might be why the two users said they liked the movie better. To me, the book tells a great story with meaty characters that you get to know and care very much about. Central is Jane Withersteen who is being intimidated by the top Mormon men of her community. When she finally finds out how this intimidation campaign got started and, especially, who started it, she is rather shocked.

Good and Evil depends on ones point of view. Who's side of the fence are you on and how do you fight that which you perceive as evil. Just as the person before me in his review stated, if you haven't read the book, you might want to, so that you will understand the obvious points that had to be left out of the movie. It really is important to make some understanding of the thought's that Zane Grey, one of the premiere western writers of the past. He was ahead of his time giving psychological reasoning for his character's as well as one of the best describers of surrounding beauty that the characters are enveloped in.

The evil men in this portrait of the depravity of men (even those of "religious' belief's) is portrayed vividly by the men of the Mormon church as they saw their duty. Greed set aside, this was about a belief as well. Right and wrong played out in a violent nature by violent men. Portrayed brilliantly by an outstanding cast.

Then comes Lassiter, who is violent in his own way and yet gentle and kind. He steps up to the plate and helps Jane Withersteen (played by Amy Madigan in one of her most impressive acting to date), while Lassiter (played in a hard as rock characterization by Ed Harris) still after those who caused his family member to commit suicide. I believe these characters played by this particular cast very brilliantly portrayed just as those envisioned by Zane Grey in his book "Riders of the Purple Sage".

The screen play is very well done by Gill Dennis from the book written by Zane Grey. Direction by Charles Haid proves he understands the west as well as how to get the best out of his actors and staff. If it was not a movie made for television, it would rank up there with the best like Eastwoods "The Unforgiven" and Costner's "Open Range" with each of those carrying "star power" and Rider's unsung actors.

Tough interpretation of a hard subject, still beyond it's time.

For any fan of a good western and Zane Gray this movie is well worth the viewing time. I had read the book several times over the years and found this movie lived up to my expectations. The movie was as true to the book as any movie of this nature can be. The action will draw you in, I had to go back and reread the book to see if I missed something. The authenticity of the scenery as well as the beauty really helped make the movie. Lassiter starts out as a somewhat questionable hero but quickly you realize that he is one of the quiet good guys. Reminded me of some of the older western movies like "Shane" or some of the newer ones like "Tom Horn" or "The Sackets. Read the book, see the movie, and then read the book again it will be worth your time.

Most of the new westerns being made these days (i.e. Unforgiven, Tombstone, etc.) are exceptional, but this may be the pick of the lot - the characters are real, the plot is believable, the photography is superb. I've never read the book, but I may now.