SpunkySelfTwitter
It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.
Lollivan
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
monahawk-1
Of course you expect any movie with Robert Duvall to be excellent but even the actors who have not been seen before are outstanding. Not a misstep anywhere. The story continues to surprise without giving anything away and the filming, lighting, sound...all top notch. Over too soon for me.
SimonJack
"Broken Trail" is among the very best open range Western films ever made. The scenery always recommends such films for audience enjoyment, and this wonderful TV series is no exception. The filming was in Alberta, Canada, near Calgary. Canada and parts of the Great Plains states still have some expanses where such movies can be made without modern obstructions in view. The cast for this mini-series film is excellent. I know it's not accurate to say so, but it seems as though Robert Duvall couldn't make a bad movie if he wanted to. Surely, not a Western. Duvall's realistic portrayal of cattle drive owner and foreman, Prentice Ritter, is splendid. This is the best role I've seen Thomas Church play. He's excellent in his quiet role as Ritter's top hand, trusty friend and long-time associate.The rest of the case are all very good in their roles. The cinematography, scenery, and technical aspects of this two-part film help make it a very enjoyable movie. It's a very good look at what the West must surely have been like.
adriennemay
Robert Duvall is as good as he was in Lonesome Dove, which was Duvall's favourite movie. He is such a charmer, a gruff cowboy ladies man with a cold exterior and a warm heart. Duvall was into his seventies when this was filmed but he retains his old brilliance. Cold and calculating, generous and thoughtful, a portrayal of an old cowboy making his peace within his small family and mending the rift between his dead sister and her son.The photography is excellent and you really feel you are there in the foothills of the Rockies. Excellent supporting cast and believable story line. The final written notes suggest that this is based on a true story. For those who love the Western, you can do no better than this other than the Lonesome Dove collection.Suspense, blood chilling violence contrasting with periods of extreme peace and human nature at its best and worst.Simply brilliant.
Neil Turner
I didn't know anything about Broken Trail until I saw that Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church were nominated for Golden Globes for their performances in the film. I am a real Duvall fan and his performances in all the stages of his life - To Kill A Mockingbird and The Great Santini being two of my all-time favorites - and now comes the pleasure of his performance in Broken Trail.Certainly not to be overlooked is Thomas Haden Church. His portrayal of a hardened ranch hand at loose ends is striking in that it shows us a man who can kill without regret possessed by the ability to love deeply.The story is a pretty standard Western. Duvall and Church are running a herd of horses to market in order to garner enough funds to invest in land and settle down. Along the way, they happen upon a group of Chinese girls who have been sold into slavery and are being delivered to a brothel. As stated, it's been done before but probably never better than in this version.There is action, but acting and character are paramount. In the special features on the DVD, the director states the decision to not have any of the girls speak English, thus all of the communication is through facial expression and body language. And that communication is a beautiful example of superior acting.This film was produced by American Movie Classics cable network. It can be added to the lineup of cable networks that provide the outlet for films that would never be produced by the big movie companies, but are able to supply the funds to make the production value of such films a small step up from most independent films created on shoestring budgets.Broken Trail provides the opportunity for a movie lover to sit back, enjoy a good story, and relish in excellent acting talents headed by Duvall and Church. I guarantee you will enjoy all three hours of it.
