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List Price: $14.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 6241
Released: May 13, 2008 |
| Our Price: $7.74 |
| Used Price: $6.05 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The Civil War is over and the Traven brothers are going home. But what Mac (Tom Selleck, Quigley Down Under) and Dal (Sam Elliott, Tombstone) find upon their arrival is a town ravaged by Confederate rebels who've refused to surrender. Swearing to fight the Yankees to the bitter end, the guerillas have kidnapped the Travens' younger sisters - as well as Dal's sweetheart, Kate (Katharine Ross, Shenandoah) - and plan to sell them to a brothel in Mexico to raise money for guns and bullets. Determined to rescue their loved ones, Mac and Dal bust their Uncle Black Jack (Oscar(r) winner Ben Johnson, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, The Last Picture Show, 1971) out of prison and head south of the border, where they aim to finish a war they thought had already ended.
Description of The Shadow Riders:
When the Western slipped into theatrical oblivion in the late 1970s, many of the best examples of the genre began appearing as made-for-television films. After the success of The Sacketts, from the Louis L'Amour novel, producers quickly reunited stars Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott in another fine adaptation of a L'Amour book, The Shadow Riders. As brothers Mac and Dal Traven, sporting blue and gray uniforms, respectively, they wind their way home at the close of the Civil War to discover a band of confederate rebels have ravaged their town and kidnapped their sisters and brother and Dal's feisty sweetheart (Katharine Ross). With the help of their outlaw uncle (Western stalwart Ben Johnson), whom they must break out of prison, they track the guerrillas to the Gulf Coast and down into Mexico for a final, fatal showdown. Veteran director Andrew McLaglen sets this TV movie on a loping pace and a jovial tone, defined largely by Selleck's easygoing performance and the jocular comic relief of rascally Johnson. Elliott provides the intensity, at times positively ferocious under his heavy brows and burning, sunken eyes. The mood is occasionally too comic, but McLaglen delivers the goods in a series of gritty action sequences, proving that old Western directors don't die, they just drift on over to the small screen. Western icons R.G. Armstrong and Harry Carey Jr. and 1950s leading lady Jane Greer also appear in key roles. --Sean Axmaker
The Shadow Riders Reviews:
the shadow riders 
2008-09-23 - What I bought thru Amazon was very satisfacotry. This web site is not user freindly. Pat Warren
Rent if you're curious; Don't buy this dog! 
2008-07-22 - I like both Selleck and Elliot in most of their westerns, but this is the exception that makes the rule. It does have its moments, particularly, in the final showdown. But, for the most part, it plods along with terrible dialog, huge lapses in logistical logic, and a ridiculous musical score that must have been barrowed from anything but a western. I can't blame the actors since they had to contend with a script that seemed like a 12 year old had written. Rent this or, better yet, Tivo it when it's on the late, late, late movie where it belongs. If the prequel, `The Sacketts,' is anything like this dog, I'll have to pass on it.
An OK film unless you've read L'Amour's Classic book.
2008-06-19 - First off, I love westerns, whether on film or paper. Plus I'm a great fan of Louis L'Amour. So I was disappointed with this adaptation of one of his best stories. Although the basic plot starts off somewhat close to the book, by the middle of the movie it's strayed off so far as to not be recognizable. So hampered by that, I found The Shadow Riders to be lacking not only as a adaptation but as a western as well.
With a strong cast, inluding Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Katherine Ross, Ben Johnson, and R. G. Armstrong, to name a few, this could have been so much better. But being a "Made for TV" movie it was watered down from the start. Parts that should have been intense became almost tongue-in-cheek, the villians were almost comical in their characterizations, and the plot suffered because of it. At times it was almost like you were watching a comedy instead of what should have been a dark and intense film about a family trying to rescue their children before they're sold off into slavery in Mexico.
And that is where the problems lies. The film makers NEVER took the plot seriously and it shows in the acting, especially with Selleck. Watching him here all I can see is Magnum PI on a horse. When you see him in later westerns, such as Monte Walsh, Last Stand At Saber River, or even Quigley Down Under you see performances that make you forget who is playing the role. Not here.
There may be a couple of good moments but they are few and far between. I would recommend buying this only if you are rounding out some sort of western collection. Otherwise, don't bother.
Excellent movie!
2008-06-11 - Love Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott. Great movie, received sooner than expected. Thanks Amazon!
The Shadow Riders
2008-06-09 - This movie delivered everything I expected and then some. There is great action, humor and drama. As a long time fan of westerns it is my opinion that you can not go wrong with either Tom Selleck or Sam Elliott and having both of them together is double the delight. I enjoyed every moment from beginning to end.
