Purgatory (1999 film)
| Purgatory | |
|---|---|
_DVD.jpg) |
|
| Written by | Gordon T. Dawson |
| Directed by | Uli Edel |
| Starring |
Sam Shepard Eric Roberts Randy Quaid Brad Rowe Donnie Wahlberg J. D. Souther Amelia Heinle |
| Theme music composer | Brad Fiedel |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Daniel Schneider |
| Running time | 94 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | TNT |
| Original release | January 10, 1999 |
Purgatory, also known as Purgatory West of the Pecos, is a 1999 western fantasy film directed by Uli Edel.
An outlaw band led by Blackjack Britton and Cavin Guthrie rob a bank. During the subsequent gunfight, a woman named Dolly Sloan is shot and dies in the arms of Cavin's nephew Sonny. The gang flees and is pursued by a posse. After passing through a dust storm, they escape through a tunnel and emerge at the other end in the town of Refuge. The gang is welcomed there but they are puzzled by the town's residents, who don't carry guns or drink at the saloon and who immediately flock to the church whenever the bell rings.
Sonny thinks he has seen some of the town's residents before, but he is unable to remember where. The rest of the outlaws occupy the saloon and begin causing trouble. Sonny befriends a woman named Rose who tries to steer him away from asking questions but, as he investigates further, he realizes that the town appears to be occupied by former notorious gunfighters. These include Wild Bill Hickock, the town’s Sheriff, Jesse James, Billy the Kid and Doc Holliday, although they deny their identities to Sonny. Later he talks to a gardener named Lamb whom he prompts to admit who he really is. Before Sonny can ask more questions, some of Blackjack's men tear up Lamb's garden. Enraged, he beats one to death with his shovel and is led away by a mysterious Native American who acts as Gatekeeper to the other realm.
While talking to Doc, Sonny lets slip the true nature of their gang. Upon hearing that they are all wanted outlaws, the Sheriff asks them to saddle up and leave town. Blackjack orders all his men to assemble in the saloon except Sonny, whom Cavin rejects from the gang. Sonny sneaks in anyway and overhears them plan to rob the town on their way out, while Cavin plans to rape Rose. Sonny joins the others in church, where he begs them to defend their town. They townspeople finally admit to Sonny that Refuge is a form of Purgatory. If they can go ten years while resisting the temptations of their former lives they are admitted to Heaven. They don't want to face off against Blackjack's gang because they fear it will cost them their souls. A frustrated Sonny leaves the church and is jumped by Blackjack and Cavin, who kick him unconscious.
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