The Legend of DarkHorse County (2014) User Reviews (50)

Fun to watch... but nothing to get frantic about either.

[jill-abrason · 7/10 · 13 June 2014]

I felt that the performances were good. Not amazing. Not excellent. Good.

To me that means these actors delivered the lines well, nothing the director recommended or framed them in, got in the way, and I enjoyed watching the film.

Audiences are a bit too quick to throw this movie into the "Great!" category. Majors and Biehns portrayals was admirable as cameos. The writers did a good job... but was it fabulous? I started curios then just hung in till the end. Still, is it really great acting or a great impression? I'll give the cast a break and say they were good at both.

Somehow, this one seems a little too close to made for TV if it wasn't for the incredible cinematography and amazing pace.

The film is only 1.5 hours but you never notice the time go by simply because of its fitting short length - I am not sure this film could hold my attention for 2 hours.

I can't pick any actor out of this and say they were bad. That's the best thing about this one. I also was caught in the story thinking the films arch was complete when we found out who was the abductor - not so quick to resolve. The viewers still gets more plot candy without getting sick of the sugar. Finding out the victim is the culprit and now what will happen to (Him/Her) as to not give it away.

The story is filled with emotion and suspense while adding some comedic tones that fit right in.

The movie had some jarring awkward eyeball close ups throughout the film. Not sure if it is jarring uncomfortable good or just bad edit choice. The extreme face close ups were not a "damn cool" standoff high noon gun draw feel if that is what the director was going for. None the less still on the fence on this one.

Anyway, hats off to all of 'em. It's a movie worth watching.

DarkHorse offers heart, action and beautiful shots to satisfy some part of the audience. But it needs more....

[robin-kunin · 7/10 · 13 June 2014]

I've had high expectations for this film because the trailers, they are so good, intense and very well made, i saw all the trailers and superb posters. But the movie was very different, it wasn't as dark as i thought, it was pretty average.

The first act has some nice "emotionally charged" sequences that are not very violent and during the entire film also there's some violence but the film stays true to a "family go see" film. Not as violent as i hoped for, just a few slaps and some stunning visuals for an indie.

In the beginning and end there's some killer cameos that 70's/80's action fans will enjoy. Overall, DarkHorse has enough gags, action sequences and beautiful shots to satisfy some part of the audience. But it doesn't have enough 'things happening" throughout the film for me.

Even with those imperfections though the movie is very good and a worthy addition to the fantasy/suspense tale genre. A director's cut with some extra "death blows" dedicated on secondary characters would be perfect!

Liked and Disliked

[kc-austin · 7/10 · 15 June 2014]

This is an imperfect world. I give this a 7 grading on a curve that I am watching an independent film shot with more than likely crew of 10 or less. Every scene is good. Every sub plot is good. Even the bad things about the movie are good as they give you a feel for the imperfections of watching an indie crew scrambling to make a film worth a watch. All in all this is what entertained me so it fits in my review.

Disliked: There are tons of anachronisms in the film. The Sheriffs office looked a little to slick architecturally for me. The large estate would have been better served worned down and aged with old vines and rusted brick. I think the town hall had some nice characters in it however we need more exteriors. To understand this town/county, especially if you are going to staple the name of the film after it, give us a better feel for it. This isn't really any big fault just room for improvement. This film is not trying to come anywhere close to any form of realism and instead is working with melodrama and stylized acting that creates a well- conceived and detailed indie thriller/ fantasy world that is purely a joy to immerse yourself in.

Liked: The "more obvious" antagonist is possibly one of the most interesting character in the film. He is the one who tortures man one day and loves him the next. It is his own envy of man that blinds him from salvation or (something like that) and then in the end have man (Sheriff McElroy) reverse or undo what the antagonist had hoped for thus giving the antagonist purpose to rise up again -a work order incomplete. Each of these characters, and their traits, are performed extremely well by all actors. Even the subtle things that each actor does (way of holding a gun, stance, facial expressions etc.) build the characters superbly.

The storyline and plot in the film may be a little hard to follow - at the beginning but it all comes together throughout the film and makes for a fairly simple, but in no way boring, story.

A special mention must be made for the film casting.

All in all, this movie is definitely worth watching.

thankfully seeing shades of grey

[lisa_burr1 · 10/10 · 21 May 2014]

This movie has two things going for it: style and story.

The visual style is quite handsome and well done. Intriguing sets, odd colors, and a sense of large, sinister space inside the rooms and garage. This movie needed to utilize a Steadicam camera, but had some great overhead shots that were well composed to balance out what it was lacking in the steadicam missing shots.

Thick atmosphere enhance the spooky and creepy nature of the action for interior shots but was missing on exterior shots.

And of course, we have a group indie actors. They were very effective in letting us know what's on their mind (facials and body language). I did not have to always be in tune with the dialog and this was nice.

On the other hand Michael Biehn and Lee Majors voice I could have tuned into and just happily drowned myself in their raspy voice through out the film and been satisfied. I felt a little cheated and wanted more of that.

But if you take all this away, you're left with an small budget film struggling to be a BlockBuster which is always better than a BlockBuster big budget film that just got lost along the way.

Okay, so the town is haunted. Somehow along the way we find that two of the characters may be part of the central event, and then that seems to be confirmed at the end. But so what? What does that have to do with the story? Why is that important? What does that have to do with the mansion on the lake? Why do the scenes from the past matter and how do they fit in with the story in the present?

Half of those question got answered the others I have no idea. Its a second viewing film. I was satisfied enough with that and left curios on the other questions.

This is not a happily ever after film but a look at good and evil and the shades of grey in between. Because of how well this was handled this film didn't need so many flashy special effects to stand up.

thankfully seeing shades of grey

Gritty awesomeness at it's flourishing best!

[gtimothy920 · 20 May 2014]

DarkHorse is solid piece of art is incredibly well written and shot, furthermore the actors are doing a tremendous job!

I've heard a few remarks about the pace of the movie, saying it is too slow. I completely disagree, there are so many aspects which get this film in a place in the indie film buzz, every single one in its own way and it would be horrible if we'd see a too fast paced film containing ridiculous cliffhangers like we see them on the major film.

Because this way you can entirely fall in love with the movie, the characters and every tiny detail of the story and the best part of it, it is unbelievably addictive and makes you starve for the next scene.

Flashbacks were very well done, not to flashy and and not drawn out. There were some uncomfortable close ups in the film but after I accepted it as a style of the film and not an isolated cute episode on the editor I started to enjoy them.

Excellent - from the writing and production sets to the acting, costumes, lighting, filming and originality. I've seen a few good indie films lost to not enough exposure, I hope this one doesn't end up lost but finds a home. Legends of DarkHorse County has some very dark characters, and a lot of grey characters, and it all adds up to brilliant dialogue and plot lines.

Enjoy every second. I just wish I could watch it for the first time again and know nothing of what's going to happen.

It Can't Survive Without Real Screenplay; Local Actors Need Acting Classes

[wired_rogue · 2/10 · 7 June 2016]

Local Indie films come and go very quickly. It was highly anticipated in the local "clique" market and didn't survive past it. Tons of work went into this mess, but there were tons of mistakes made on film; no recoil during weapons handling (with bad CGI), flashy scenes that weren't thought out, seeing production materials; power cords, lights, bad fog effects, etc, in the background. Bad editing, choppy pacing and just some horrible dialog. The only bright spot came from Lee Majors, whose role was too short. When a film resorts to bad actors who refuse to take accredited acting courses, well you're going to end up with a movie that has no delivery within its plot...and it doesn't matter who you bring into your film, the presentation will fail to previews outside of your Indie film clique who post high ratings on all of their film projects.

On a final note, I wonder who screened this film prior to its release and didn't notice the equipment seen in the background or the weapons that were improperly handled during each action scene?...it surely wasn't any of the "executive producers" who put their reputations on the line to certify that this low budget Indie film was produced to the highest quality of crisp film entertainment.

great film but....

[carol_spader · 8/10 · 22 May 2014]

The film revolves around the fictional town of DarkHorse– a typical Texas town in the local dialect – and focuses primarily on the life of the local sheriff, a blonde-haired deputy of quick wit that makes for the two become nicely connected in satire. But the newcomers have a secret, a somewhat ironic secret; a old dirt road with a past that connects locals to the strange outsiders.

Things that are wrong: lack of action and effects

Things that are right: acting and plot twist

The latter of the 2 are good enough to overlook the lack of the first. And what action it did have was done on par with what I wanted. The characters, although over the top, are captivating (the enigmatic nemesis is a standout-tall dark and unexpected); the narrative may be fairly formulaic, but it is interspersed with significant sub-plot and unexpected twists; the dialogue is both believable and articulate, and the production values are on par with most feature films.

highly recommended

Oh My God Best Movie Ever

[jim_baxter_2007 · 4/10 · 10 June 2014]

I saw this movie recently and this has to be my favorite movie ever. Everything about film is absolutely perfect. Movies do not come any better than this!

I enjoyed this so much more than so called "classics" like Citizen Kane, Jaws, Lawrence of Arabia, 2001, The Godfather, I could go on forever!

Everyone involved with this film is the best in the business! These filmmakers should write books on how to make movies! Everything is so perfect! I want to watch this again and again!

Way to go! Way to go! So awesome! Can't wait for more! 10/10 two thumbs up! So original, I've never seen anything like this before! Just great!

The best movie ever made! The acting should win Oscars all around! So incredible!

(Seriously, though, everyone involved with this film should be ashamed of themselves, especially the way the reviews here are being handled.)

Less action than expected, but 9/10 imagery, acting, and direction.

[Markloman503 · 9/10 · 19 May 2014]

Amazing movie for its budget. Amazing shots and scenery, good plot line, great acting from leads. Decent effects and action, when it occurs. I'm starting to think it's the lighting that makes a movie seem "big". This movie's eerie sounds and drifting light through thick atmosphere , and tension building strings draw you in, like a blockbuster.

It most likely should not be considered a horror as you would end up with a lot of disappointed viewers let down about this and that. They'd rather watch blood pour out of a corpse than a decent piece of acting. As long as you don't expect another high octane indie action film, you should be surprised by a unique cinematic experience. ;)

Legend of Darkhorse a bit of a quirk fest also features compelling elements of redemption

[elizabeth-lee13 · 7/10 · 14 June 2014]

Some may say (Legend of Darkhorse) is adventurous and edgy. Others might say it's simply trivial. Perhaps the best assessment is somewhere in between. One thing for sure is that the cinematography is a visual feast. Set in Texas in a unknown town in a fictional county "DarkHorse", it was actually shot around Houston Texas and Nasa from Q&A.

(Legend of Darkhorse) is formulaic up to a point. Quirky strangers feature protagonists who are outsiders, non-conformist, slightly emotionally unstable and victims of persecution by an established order in a nice surprise "spiritual world" of DarkHorse county. Estimating a year before the break into the 'Second Act' the Sheriff loses his family, they become hidden aftermath of a hit and run -Now the story begins smoking.

Anything more I would be in the "spoiler category"

When all is said and done, (Legend of Darkhorse) is sometimes a little too campy for its own good.

But look a little closer, especially the last 7 minutes, and you'll also see it's a well executed tale of the power of redemption.

Not Even Close

[growler2022022 · 2/10 · 17 August 2018]

I'm not part of the clique who participated in the production of this amateur film production; so expect an honest film review without spoilers.

This movie was extremely low budget. There is nothing in this film that worth bragging about or making any real mention of. With the exception of the better known actors, none of the cast had real training in acting or performing as a seasoned professional in front of the camera. Scenes are poorly set up and/or performed by the lower accredited names. The cinematography was horrible, the better parts were used in the trailer, and there is no drama where it's supposed to be. The editing was terrible, leaving little room for the film to stay fluid; I honestly think that a "sizzle reel" was extended with several extra scenes and some inconsistent stock footage that was shot somewhere else and during a different season.

Post Mortem - There's nothing good about this film. The film is full of cliches and the story writting is unreal and unoriginal. There are no performances that stand out, save a few friendly faces you've seen before in legendary tv and film roles. Its far to obvious that the leading lady has never handled a real gun in her life and has yet to have felt recoil and act it out properly. Leave it to some local bad acting talent to hype their personal bad films to try and hype this pile of crap.

Surprinsingly good - definitely must see

[james-robert22 · 8/10 · 20 May 2014]

I'm still under the influence of this movie, so my comment is likely to be superlative! I went to this movie, knowing that the company has been known for documentaries and dance films, and since I've seen some not-so-impressive dance films , i was really skeptical.

But this one proved to be a decent thriller action movie. The idea is somewhat the same (lots of guns, shots, bullets etc) - though the motive for the actions are not money. But the level of realism, the motivation of the sinister character, the cold blood which moves the central bad guy and his "helper" makes this flick a good option to choose when selecting a movie.

Both of the young girls proved to be better than expected. Plenty of good casting that kept some sleeper moments jolted nicely with well shot images.

There is no one central lead which can throw you off unless you allow the loose ends to come together before getting restless. This happens far better than most indie films.

The movie covers a hot topic too, kidnapping young women, and all the business this involves.

Of course, the movie has (very small, almost invisible) drawbacks, like some lines are a bit macho and some Rambo - stuff, this won't bother you , and you may find it fun, if you have not sunken to far into the films moral message otherwise you may find it distraction. but the overall impression is simple: a strong recommendation!

Analysis for Legend of DarkHorse County

[leslie_parker3 · 9/10 · 21 May 2014]

I actually like this film a little more than some indie films, There are more good scenes that I could watch than in others films. One bad thing about this film is that there was very little violence that I really thought would give the drama more punch. In terms of the other parts of this film, they are good to very good, like the split fight scene, but they also have some drawbacks. In my opinion, the one thing that lacks about this film is the color correction in the center of the film not keeping up with the really nice tones in the opening and closing. I have never liked seeing some movies that are polished in some places and others still not cooked enough. But that is getting picky. There are some good parts in this film, including great acting, nice cinematography, and very good lighting effects. The rest of the stuff in the film are like a hit and miss for me. Overall, this is a good film, I still find myself thinking about the characters so its a 9. I really see a film so i can get to know the people in it not so much whats around them.

Finally, if you are a Connoisseur of art and the unconventional, this movie is for you!

A highly entertaining film

[Katearthur855 · 8/10 · 18 May 2014]

Hey, this isn't half bad at all. I'll be honest and say I wasn't expecting much, so it was nice to be pleasantly surprised. Okay, it's no 'El Mariachi' for the indies - but it's good and looks "at times" full budget.

The script is pacey and smart, with some excellent lines from the central character - played with just the right balance of sass and integrity by the Actors. In fact, everyone in the cast was up to the mark - and it's always a pleasure to see Michael Biehn up there: a fine actor who deserves to be seen more often. Lee Majors, too, wow that was awesome.

As for the story... I thought it gave an interesting angle on the classic legal/moral problem : Murder that is intentional and that which is involuntary.

A couple of quiet spots in the middle, but otherwise this is a highly entertaining film. The perfect antidote to some of the blockbusters and cartoons on offer at the moment.

Something different

[ShelbyVanGessel · 9/10 · 19 May 2014]

"Strange" doesn't quite cover it but it is not that bizarre that you can't figure out what's happening. It was made a tight budget, but that's part of the attraction. This is grainy dark shadowed film with lots of spaghetti western close ups ups on the eyes, and so is the gritty story and most of the characters. The unique look fits the story.

It's not a story that is going to please a lot of people - an almost-demented female lead trying to figure out what is the right thing to do acted well enough to keep us in our seats.

If you're looking for something different here and there, I would give this curiosity piece a quick look. Overall, I thought this "added up" to an intriguing film.

This film is not consistently beautiful as it is in the opening act, nor does it have quite the same gut wrenching effect all the way through, but nonetheless, this is still some film. If you like your movies very Hollywood then this is not for you; but if you like stylised innovation, then you have to watch this.

Fascinating psycho thriller.

[Brandon-Connley · 10/10 · 20 May 2014]

Finally saw it, and was totally blown away by it. Some of it went over my head, but the end result was unforgettable. The reason I liked this film was because it was definitely what people had said about it: it was weird, unique, and fascinating. The visual style was great! It was rough and grainy, yet very beautifully shot.

This movie has less to do with revelations more to do with everyday people trapped in their own muck.

Basically, if you don't like venturing much from standard Hollywood issue then you may not enjoy this film as much as I did, but if you are prepared to try something new then you could well enjoy it. Also, fans of art-house films will almost certainly enjoy this, as it is an excellent example of creative low budget independent filming.

A well acted and paced thriller laid over an undercurrent of intellect vs. emotion, I highly recommend

Entertaining-- and the Actors did a good job.

[mark-revelmark · 9/10 · 2 June 2014]

Entertaining-- and the Actors did a good job.

I do admit during the whole movie I wondered how the Devil, the conscienceless tempter we know, is portrayed as merely a relationship abridged between his creator and his destiny. I finally decided, however, that the movie hints beyond that. It is partly an element of his personality.

The same thing that brings some people from abusive backgrounds to be murderers or low- lives, and some to be exemplary people in real life. This movie points out very well how drug abusive individuals, in this case alcohol, places no exception from ones incoherent actions and places them in the muck of low-lives. Also, they seem to show that the Devil thinks of murdering the original family-- as just a stronghold on the new outsiders. This seems to be explained towards the end-- it just so happens the wife had somewhat of an excuse for her murders (if a flimsy one at times) but has a nice resolution at the end.

Watch it without over-inflating your expectations, and you won't be disappointed.

Loved it - well fed.

[JosephRudd939 · 9/10 · 18 May 2014]

"The Legend of DarkHorse County" is a low budget film that succeeds spectacularly. While not exactly "deep", it has a real heart, and plenty of "back woods" culture. Plus, for a guy like me who enjoys action, there's plenty of running around. There's a real romance in the shots but not much in the characters but plenty of comedy to keep me engaged. The film is arty but I found it accessible rather than overdone or overly subtle.

It's quite original and a real gem, especially when compared against the average suspense / horror indie film, which often lacks the magic entirely and is way too violent to boot. With one caveat (the ending was good but not entirely satisfying to me, I still have unanswered question), but the moralistic message tied together and feed me well. I recommend this film wholeheartedly to all indie film buffs.

Stunning Film!

[michelle-2-456852 · 9/10 · 15 May 2014]

"The Legend of DarkHorse County" is a film that won't only visually satisfy you, but offer you a story that is so rich and full of talent that it will take you to another place... and isn't that the point of a great story?

It may seem like a dark film, but the message in the end is more than inspiring.

The acting in DarkHorse is raw and better than most 'high budget films' and the cinematography is phenomenal. The director sets a surreal atmosphere and each shot is composed with a unique and talented eye.

I would recommend this film to anyone I know!

An enjoyable diversion beautifully shot.

[thomasadam644 · 9/10 · 18 May 2014]

I thought this movie was excellent. You can't watch the movie and expect Shakespeare...it's an indie film that is just plane fun. As the plot goes it's very believable and never stretches past its limits. At an entertainment level, the tension gradually escalates, as the plot proceeds. In the opening the film the tension becomes extreme, and then never lets up, not until the final credits roll.

Finally, the film's technical quality is topnotch. Direction and editing are above average. Cinematography is excellent. Dialogue is interesting. And the acting is terrific. This movie had spectacular acting and a good twist and a pretty decent storyline. I thought this movie was great. - no, its not a profound meaningful work or art, but then who expected it to be? It's an enjoyable diversion beautifully shot - that's all anyone should expect!

Not a masterpiece but an enjoyable movie to watch

[paige-moody · 9/10 · 21 May 2014]

This indie film has a deliberately old-fashioned feel, being more light hearted and comic approach, being an adventure for a group of outsiders trying to meld into a small Texas town. The jokes for the most part offer minor chuckles and smiles enough to get us through some slow moments. The direction and writing does go for very sentimental reflection on people just trying to do the right thing. Even the bad guy who is really bad is still struggling for what is right.

The writing juggles the tones well but has major pacing issues in the center as at some parts the film skips through character development, such as the back story of the central characters. Lee Majors and Michael Biehn cameos were given particularly good roles as they work well together as the crazed and the sane.

Definitely not a masterpiece but an enjoyable movie to watch, especially if you like classic indie movies.

A Fitting End 9/10

[JulieHeck7777 · 9/10 · 15 May 2014]

The film studies on how much a life is worth. Sometimes it is worthless and sometimes it is a major feature. Usually a film only does one. Legend of DarkHorse County does both.

In DarkHorse the question are what are the consequences and how they are handled. This is an interesting look on life, death and our religious upbringing in the West and how it effects us.

The film could have been just average without the end bringing the actors together and working out some of the plot holes in the center of the film.

Summary: watch the movie, and don't expect to be TOLD everything, expect to have to pay attention.

Deals with complex issues in simplistic ways

[Georgewilkins7777 · 9/10 · 15 May 2014]

I really wanted to love Legend of DarkHorse County. The marketing (posters and trailer) were slick and on point . It's not a great movie, but as far as indie films go its a solid 9.

Let's point out the things that I enjoyed. -The acting was pretty good, though they drag a bit in dialog in the middle.

-The sound editing and mixing was good. Yeah, technically this movie is great.

Only thing is, I didn't see any mention of the prevailing Christian theme throughout in the marketing. Then again, I guess the take on the Devil was a skew different, Devil is automatically associated with Christianity, but the twist on his character was the best part of the story.

A man doing his job and serving time.

A lot of movies try to hard to forcefully shovel down its moralistic message. This one you had to hunt for the message. -Happy Hunting

Predictable, gooey, formulaic, feel-good, syrupy this film is NOT.

[JimSterling99 · 10/10 · 13 May 2014]

First of all I read the cast listing with Michael Biehn, Lee Majors & pop icon ChaChi Gonzales I got very interested & had a certain expectation to what I was about to see in this film. I can't understand how they managed to wrangle these guys into this small Texas film company, I just don't get it. As the movie goes there really isn't very much to say if you are along for a slash bang shooter up action film.

The screenplay was written based on a much more mind bending mental action thriller and this is fine with me. I am worn out with the lead characters never being able to die in some of the big budget actions films (no spoiler here)- So this film was refreshing. All of the actors are fantastic too, Larry Wade Carrell is the stand out here. Yes, this is probably due to the fact he is given all of the emotional weight, but he handles it perfectly.

Michael Biehn and Lee Majors, whom are just great to see, both give an expected over the top great performance here. ChaChi Gonzales should have danced in this film. I saw an out take on the internet of her dancing from this film and it was a mistake to keep it out. The acting on her part reminded me of watching Kevin Costner not distracting but nothing to brag about. There is one scene were ChaChi's acting shows great promise for her future, she also shoots visually very well. Nick Nicholson gives a break out performance here, he is quite the bad ass.

I found that the directors acting in the film to be acceptable at times other times questionable. This would not have bothered me if i did not know he was the film director. Welling's fight scene however was one of the highlights of the film so it work itself out for me. You can hate this film and you can love it but one thing for sure for a local small budget film it is shot exceptional -eye candy.

worth a watch

[ivan-valtez · 8/10 · 22 May 2014]

What makes Legend of DarkHorse worth watching is its uncompromised and blunt way of showing the acts of horror in being in the wrong place at the wrong time while drinking irresponsibly all at the same time.

It is a very quiet and slow film, mostly shot using static and still cameras, it feels more like a documentary than a fictional film. It's clear upon viewing, that this film wanted to remind us all that violence should not be entertainment. As such, every act of violence and degradation is shown in a sad, dark light. Nothing over the top or for cheap gore sake. Blood is limited to shirt stains and a few splats.

This film is an attack on our desensitized feelings towards alcohol abuse. Yet, at the same time, the film purposely desensitizes us to certain acts -- Such as abducting children. The way we see it in the film it becomes "normality" to us, we barely raise an eyebrow thinking that young children can become a unlikely hero.

Legend of Darkhorse only real downfall is that it can't figure out whether its a serious look at morality or an action adventure for teens. It could work on either level not sure if it can for me on both levels. The young actors could have pulled off a "hunger games" type film nicely as they were slick enough in Darkhorse to hold their own film. But I was more interested in the deeper drama.

Darkhorse continues to descend until at the end, when we are taken from a smart and well done "Dante's Inferno" to the punishing grounds by two giant crosses (effective), where a certain rule breakers is... (well no spoiler here). This final sequence is the very effective and best part of the film. As the victim and the guilty find a common ground of likeness. It's a savage and truthful attack, one that is impossible to deny that judgement is best served to someone or something much more than mere humans.

The very ..very end worked out well in rendering the film as a complete and accurate reflection on Good and Evil as being much more that a power struggle but a cycle in life in which one depends on the other. This rang true to me and was refreshing as far as films go.

All in all, A well made movie, definitely worth a watch, even for the religiously devoid.