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IMDbPro

Riders of the Purple Sage

  • TV Movie
  • 19961996
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
863
YOUR RATING
Ed Harris and Amy Madigan in Riders of the Purple Sage (1996)
DramaRomanceWestern
Jim Lassiter roams from town to town in search for the man who drove his sister to suicide. While riding toward a mountain pass, he sees an heiress, Jane Withersteen, being harassed by thugs... Read allJim Lassiter roams from town to town in search for the man who drove his sister to suicide. While riding toward a mountain pass, he sees an heiress, Jane Withersteen, being harassed by thugs and steps in to help. A religious sect wants Jane to marry their leader, Deacon Tull, so ... Read allJim Lassiter roams from town to town in search for the man who drove his sister to suicide. While riding toward a mountain pass, he sees an heiress, Jane Withersteen, being harassed by thugs and steps in to help. A religious sect wants Jane to marry their leader, Deacon Tull, so they can gain ownership of her land. When he steps in to help, Lassister slowly begins to ... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
863
YOUR RATING
    • Charles Haid
    • Zane Grey(book)
    • Gill Dennis(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Ed Harris
    • Amy Madigan
    • Henry Thomas
    • Charles Haid
    • Zane Grey(book)
    • Gill Dennis(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Ed Harris
    • Amy Madigan
    • Henry Thomas
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos6

    Ed Harris and Amy Madigan in Riders of the Purple Sage (1996)
    Ed Harris and Amy Madigan in Riders of the Purple Sage (1996)
    Riders of the Purple Sage (1996)
    Riders of the Purple Sage (1996)
    Riders of the Purple Sage (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ed Harris
    Ed Harris
    • Jim Lassiter
    Amy Madigan
    Amy Madigan
    • Jane Withersteen
    Henry Thomas
    Henry Thomas
    • Bern Venters
    Robin Tunney
    Robin Tunney
    • Elizabeth Erne
    Norbert Weisser
    Norbert Weisser
    • Deacon Tull
    G.D. Spradlin
    G.D. Spradlin
    • Pastor Dyer
    Lynn Wanlass
    Lynn Wanlass
    • Hester Brandt
    Bob L. Harris
    • Collier Brandt
    Jerry Wills
    • Oldring
    Rusty Musselman
    • Matthew Blake
    Tom Bower
    Tom Bower
    • Judkins
    • (uncredited)
    Erin Neal
    • Background
    • (uncredited)
      • Charles Haid
      • Zane Grey(book)
      • Gill Dennis(teleplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Mormons are never identified as the religion in the film, as they were in Zane Grey's novel. But the story takes place in Utah, and the religious group is described as being persecuted and driven out of every place they had lived. Also, there is a book in a drawer with the Salt Lake temple on the cover.
    • Quotes

      Lassiter: You'd best be calling on that god that reveals himself to you on earth, 'cause you won't be seeing him where you're going.

    • Connections
      Featured in Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western (1997)

    User reviews20

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    This is a Gem!
    Where can I start? I've heard/seen the title "Riders of the Purple Sage" for as long as I can remember, but never read the book, nor did I ever see any of the previous versions of this Zane Gray novel. It wasn't until I became a big Ed Harris fan that I started looking for more of his films, and ended up buying "Riders." I knew it was going to be good, but wow!, I couldn't have imagined it would be teriffic -by far the best western, and one of the best films, period, I've ever seen.

    There is so much to this story. . . the two love stories of course; the hypocrisy of the "righteous", and the redeeming qualities of those who on the surface may appear to be "evil" or "bad guys"; the power of love between the most unlikely couples; and the spiritual power of love and trust, just for starters.

    I don't know if the script was taken directly from the book, but the dialogue was magical in many scenes. Amy Madigan and Ed Harris were magical too, partly due to their personal relationship I'm sure, but their work together in this film was unforgetable. I couldn't help but notice how they kind of look alike! Common among some married couples.

    The supporting cast was excellent, and the scenery unbelievable. This is one of the films I will be watching over and over again. It should be released in the theaters! See it.
    helpful•16
    2
    • DeeDee-10
    • Jul 26, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 21, 1996 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Moab, Utah, USA
    • Production companies
      • Amer Productions
      • Rosemont Productions International
      • Zeke Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 38 minutes
      • Color
      • Stereo

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