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The Desperate Trail

  • Video
  • 1994
  • R
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
991
YOUR RATING
Sam Elliott, Linda Fiorentino, and Craig Sheffer in The Desperate Trail (1994)
ActionCrimeDramaThrillerWestern

After a failed stagecoach robbery, Sarah, a convicted killer, frees herself and steals the money from the strongbox, but Jack robs her. The marshal sets after both of them so they become par... Read allAfter a failed stagecoach robbery, Sarah, a convicted killer, frees herself and steals the money from the strongbox, but Jack robs her. The marshal sets after both of them so they become partners.After a failed stagecoach robbery, Sarah, a convicted killer, frees herself and steals the money from the strongbox, but Jack robs her. The marshal sets after both of them so they become partners.

  • Director
    • P.J. Pesce
  • Writers
    • P.J. Pesce
    • Tom Abrams
  • Stars
    • Sam Elliott
    • Craig Sheffer
    • Linda Fiorentino
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    991
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • P.J. Pesce
    • Writers
      • P.J. Pesce
      • Tom Abrams
    • Stars
      • Sam Elliott
      • Craig Sheffer
      • Linda Fiorentino
    • 23User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos1

    The Desperate Trail
    Trailer 2:05
    The Desperate Trail

    Photos3

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    Top cast31

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    Sam Elliott
    Sam Elliott
    • Marshal Bill Speakes
    Craig Sheffer
    Craig Sheffer
    • Jack Cooper
    Linda Fiorentino
    Linda Fiorentino
    • Sarah O'Rourke
    Frank Whaley
    Frank Whaley
    • Walter Cooper
    John Furlong
    • Zeb Hollister
    Robin Westphal
    • Mamie Hollister
    Boots Southerland
    Boots Southerland
    • Scar Face Leader
    Joey Hamlin
    • Laughing Boy Killer
    Daniel O'Haco
    • Happy
    • (as Danny O'Haco)
    Bradley Whitford
    Bradley Whitford
    • Tommy Donnelly
    Jill Scott Momaday
    • Janie
    R.L. Tolbert
    • Lean Poker Player
    P.J. Pesce
    P.J. Pesce
    • Scared Mustachioed Cowboy
    Rockne Tarkington
    Rockne Tarkington
    • Packo
    Michael Huddleston
    • Clyde
    Peter Gregory
    Peter Gregory
    • Dry Goods Clerk
    George Cook
    • Swedish Farmer
    Elliot 'Bub' Tolbert
    • Michael
    • Director
      • P.J. Pesce
    • Writers
      • P.J. Pesce
      • Tom Abrams
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews23

    6.0991
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    Featured reviews

    6smatysia

    Feminist Western

    I guess this is supposed to be a feminist Western. While I liked Linda Fiorentino's performance, I also have to wonder what her husband did to her to justify so many murders, so much mayhem. I guess it just spiraled out of control and she did what she had to do to avoid being executed, but some characters were killed who didn't really seem to deserve it. Sam Elliot and Craig Sheffer did decent work, and even Bradley Whitford was OK overdoing a brogue. Like so many Westerns, everybody sure seemed to have an awfully lot of ammunition. The cigarettes and some of the weapons seemed a little bit anachronistic, but the time setting was never really explicit, so never mind. I can't really say see it, but I can't say avoid it either. It depends.

    P.S. I don't know if this was a deliberate part of the realism of this film, but about the brief topless scene by Jill Scott Momaday. Her breasts are a bit sagging, noticeably real. I'm not putting down Ms. Momaday, as I prefer that to the more common huge mounds of silicone. Just thought it was interesting.
    trpdean

    Well-acted, filmed, but my sympathies ran other way

    This movie seems to have been written under the shade of Unforgiven - the beating of a woman justifies over a dozen murders. I didn't see it that way. Throughout the movie, my sympathy (unlike that of Mr. English who also reviewed this) was with the marshal (as rough as he was) in catching and hanging the murderer - and her partner.

    The movie was very well-done though - and a particularly wonderful and surprising beginning.

    Note the wonderful chimed music when things get most exciting.

    It's worth seeing. Linda Fiorentino is superb - and Elliott was born to play westerns - and does this wonderfully - with great restraint.
    7ccthemovieman-1

    A Western 'Noir' That's A Bit Different

    This western starts out very well, then gets too Rambo-ish, meaning the bad guys can't hit the side of a barn with their shots. Despite that credibility problem, it's a pretty good film with excellent sound, nice cinematography, some interesting special-effects and sound with the gunshots and wounds and a different kind of soundtrack. I needed the TV Guardian with this because there is an excessive amount of Lord's name in vain in here.

    Actually, this is a modern-day film noir put in a western setting. Edgy characters played by Sam Elliott (the ultimate cowboy face), Craig Sheffer, Linda Fiorentino (hard-nosed, as always), Bradford Whitford and Frank Whalley.
    7bkoganbing

    Not the upstanding marshal he's supposed to be

    It's too bad that Sam Elliot was born about 30 years too late and was not on the scene in the 40s and 50s when westerns began to change to more adult themes. He was as born to the saddle as a Joel McCrea or a Gary Cooper was, Elliott would have been a superstar then.

    Not that he's done too badly now as The Desperate Trail shows. It's just that westerns have limited release for a specialized audience now. When we meet Elliott he's a marshal escorting a handcuffed prisoner for a date with a hangman. His prisoner is Linda Fiorentino and a holdup interrupts the journey.

    When all is said and done another passenger Craig Sheffer makes off with several grand in Wells Fargo money and Fiorentino is loose and Elliott in a most embarrassing position. Naturally the marshal rounds up a posse and pursues the outlaws.

    But this is a western with modern and adult themes, more modern than was discussed even in those beginning days of adult westerns. Sam and Linda do have a relationship of sorts and Linda is a battered spouse. As the film progresses Elliott is shown not to be the upstanding marshal that he professes to be and what we expect in the usual type of westerns.

    If you like action there are more than enough shooting incidents to satisfy your craving. Elliott, Fiorentino, and Sheffer give fine performances in the leads.

    A western with some very modern themes.
    heedarmy

    A pleasant surprise

    This little-known Western is well-made and well-cast, with strong performances from Craig Sheffer and Linda Fiorentino. What starts out as a light-hearted romp becomes progressively darker, shading into tragedy at the end. There is an unusual and striking music score, which materially adds to the film.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Linda Fiorentino's horse riding stunt double accused Fiorentino of being very jealous of her. According to her, Fiorentino paid the horse wranglers to "mistakenly" give her a retired rodeo bucking horse that nearly killed her and ended her career.
    • Goofs
      The posse contains six men when they ride into town prior to the shootout. The shootout kills one of them and a second member is killed by the marshal. In the following scene where they are on the trail of the fugitives, the posse again numbers six men.
    • Quotes

      Dry Goods Clerk: This jacket is made of genuine India rubber. It distracts the rain completely. Wearing one of these is like having a roof over your head.

      Sarah O'Rourke: That's fine for folks too stupid to get out of the rain.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 28, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La mort pour vivre
    • Filming locations
      • Tesuque Pueblo, New Mexico, USA
    • Production companies
      • Turner Home Entertainment
      • Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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