Riders Of The Purple Sage (1996)

Set in a closed religious community, a proud homesteader (Amy Madigan) is being pressured to marry a man (Norbert Weisser) she doesn't love. As the town turns against her, a mysterious gunman (Ed Harris) offers her protection. Based on the novel by Zane Grey and directed by actor (ALTERED STATES) turned director Charles Haid. Originally made for television, This is a western that's good enough that you wish it were better. In the original novel, the closed religious community is Mormon but that's been changed here to an unnamed religion for obvious reasons. This is the fifth film version (1918, 1925, 1931, 1941) of the Zane Grey novel and I wish it had a stronger screenplay and a more creative director. Filmed in Utah (including Monument Valley), it would have benefited from being shot in wide screen scope too. On the plus side, the performances by Harris and Madigan are strong. Maybe the sixth film version will do the novel justice. With Henry Thomas, Robin Tunney and G.D. Spradlin.