Brilliant and touching

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

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.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

***PLOT SPOILERS***This is a slow moving western that is perhaps more about forgiveness than redemption. The film is based on a true story, one that was more interesting than the film portrays. This film focuses on the life of Henry Heath (John Freeman) a sheriff in Utah. After they find and convict Jean Baptise (David Stevens) of grave robbing, he is exiled to an island where Henry takes him food and water to the dismay of the people he wronged.The film holds your interest in a minimal sort of way as any docudrama might. I liked the scenery and costumes of the period, but the story was bland.They missed the good historical parts. For instance, Brigham Young had to assure the residents that their loved ones would still rise during the resurrection, even without wearing their clothes. The clothes were not found as the film depicts, but rather stacked neatly and folded in boxes. The clothes were all buried together so they can resurrect with their respective owners.Jean Baptise is seen as dying in the film in an attempt to escape. He apparently did escape and his fate was unknown. I thought history would have made a better ending, but the film maker chose for closure for Henry Heath.The film is light on religion, far less religion than I expected from the title and location.Parental Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

(May contain a spoiler) To me, this was a very moving movie. All the folks in this town, are caught between a rock ... and a hard place. Sadly, most want to lash out, instead of try and forgive. And, they can't really be blamed. The acting was pretty good, with special nods to Kidder, Stevens, and Freeman. Stevens did excellent, as the centerpiece to the story. Kidder was pretty good, in her best role in years. And Freeman did a pretty good job with what he had to work with. To think of how we would react, under similar circumstances ... it gives a person quite a bit to think about. Most of us would probably be just like the townsfolk. But it all really boils down to ... can we forgive the hurt, and try to rise up and be something better? Or, do we succumb to the natural hurt and shock ... and not realize that, while criminals SHOULD be punished, there HAS to be a limit to the lengths that some would go to. Especially when the crime was not to the extent of, say ... perhaps a murder/murders.

Well written dialog. Acting high caliber. Nicely scored. Camera work was good. Direction was good. Editing was not too polished. An interesting piece of work. Thanks to you all.Interestingly vague about religion. It was there, but not to finitely. Kind of like peoples faiths. Hard to pin down what some people believe and don't believe even as they change beliefs. My brother ministers to death row inmates twice a week. He tells me they are not the same men who committed the crimes that put them there. He also tells me that the relationships he forms with them is a most rewarding thing. Anyways here is to a tiny bit of introspection. I need it as much as anyone else. Thanks again.

Just finished watching this movie at about 2:00 this morning. Despite the late hour and the approach of sleep, I had to check in here to see what the word was: three reviews. To be honest, I was surprised at how few people took the time to do more than punch in rating numbers. I was deeply moved by this story, and characters who seemed less like actors than real people from the period. Barry Corbin, long a favorite, was wonderful, as was Margot Kidder. Yes, it was generally slow moving, but oftentimes so is real life. Struggle, sadness and redemption don't come with explosions and car chases. And "westerns" needn't always come with blazing guns and fistfights. Moreover, most of us don't fall into categories of good or evil. Everyone in Redemption did what they thought was right, or at least necessary. I think these considerations will remain as images in my mind's eye for a long time. I liked, cared for and understood these people. They are us.