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Richard Edson, Randy Quaid, J.D. Souther, Peter Stormare, Eric Roberts ... see more see more... , Sam Shepard , Donnie Wahlberg , Brad Rowe , Amelia Heinle , John David Souther , John Dennis Johnston , Shannon Kenny

In this fantasy set in the Old West, Blackjack Britton (Eric Roberts) is an outlaw on the run from police after a bank robbery. Britton and his gang wind up in a small town called Refuge, where things... read more read more... are rather unusual -- outlaws are warmly welcomed and offered free food and lodging but warned not to swear, and none of the residents carry guns, including Sheriff Forrest (Sam Shepard). Britton and his gang notice that Sheriff Forrest bears a striking resemblance to the famous gunfighter Wild Bill Hickock, who died some years ago. Elsewhere in Refuge, Britton's gang meets dead ringers for such late, great outlaws as Doc Holliday (Randy Quaid), Billy the Kid (Donnie Wahlberg), and Jesse James (J.D. Souther). Britton learns that Refuge is actually Purgatory, where the gunfighters are stranded between Heaven and Hell, hoping to hoping to find a redemptive grace that will bring them salvation as they struggle not to backslide into final damnation. Soon Britton's gang becomes restless, and the men of Refuge may have to return to their guns if they are to protect the town. Produced for the TNT cable network, Purgatory also features Peter Stormare, Brad Rowe, and Richard Edson. The film is also available on home video in a Spanish subtitled edition. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

70% liked it

3,306 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Uli Edel

Release Date: January 10, 1999

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DVD Release Date: May 17, 2005

Stats: 142 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (142)

  • skactopus
    March 30, 2007
    skactopus
    An enjoyable western with a unique story dealing with the after life (sort of). There are a number of recognizable actors and the acting is done fairly well. Not a lot of shooting in this one except for the standoff at the end, which is not too shabby.
  • shrtgrlsrck
    April 26, 2009
    shrtgrlsrck
    I really enjoyed this movie! I love the twist it has. I love the boy's innocence while he is surrounded by murders and drinkers... Great Movie with great shooting scenes!
  • fallendarkangel1306
    August 17, 2007
    fallendarkangel1306
    Purgatory is a down-and-dirty Western with a twist The Twilight Zone's Rod Serling would have loved. A band of 19th-century desperadoes, led by the monstrous Blackjack Britton (Eric Roberts), takes a wrong turn while fleeing a posse and rides into an otherworldly, off-the-map tow... read moren called Refuge. Sedate, almost repressed, and guarded by an unarmed sheriff (Sam Shepard), Refuge is a weird haven of hospitality with no jail, a literate shopkeeper (J.D. Souther), an erudite dandy of a doctor (Randy Quaid), a restless deputy (Donnie Wahlberg), and a beautiful young woman (Amelia Heinle) with no apparent family. In short order, Blackjack figures Refuge is his for the plundering. But the youngest of his gang, the innocent Sonny (Brad Rowe), slowly realizes the town's residents are, in fact, dead legends of the American West--Wild Bill Hickok (Shepard), Doc Holliday (Quaid), Jesse James (Souther), among others--spending a violence-free interim before being taken to Heaven (or Hell if they fail). A purely fun if slightly hokey piece of fanciful adventure, Purgatory's colorful cast plays the whole thing straight and gives this made-for-cable film some exciting, six-gun grit and emotional authenticity.
  • StaisilD
    August 14, 2007
    StaisilD
    The plot mainly involves a gang of outlaws led by Blackjack (Eric Roberts) on the run who end up in a town that is none other than the realm of judgment itself. The town is populuated by the worst outlaws of the old west (Billy the Kid, Jesse James,Doc Holliday, and Wild Bill) wh... read moreo have been given a second chance at salvation- if they can survive an indeterminate period of time without giving in to temptations to sin, they will be saved. The production was very well mounted with smoothly displayed photography that captured the vastness and close details that sprawled along the screen and a sulky, fine-tuned score that created an eerie howl, really does lift it out of the very stuffy mould of TV features.
  • gypsylibrarian
    July 23, 2007
    gypsylibrarian
    An interesting concept for a western film. As the synopsis says, combines a bit of the western genre with the Twilight Zone. It was an alright film. Good cast.
  • karyn8sons
    July 8, 2007
    karyn8sons
    The whole premise of this movie intrigued me. Working out your salvastion AFTER this life, petitioning Heaven for admittance. My son recommended it to me. Good call, Owen!
  • MovieGuruDude72
    June 29, 2007
    MovieGuruDude72
    Maybe one of the most underrated movies ever. Each movie character is in essence in their own personal hell. Kind of a Who's Who of western characters. Very enjoyable.
  • photochicka
    April 15, 2007
    photochicka
    it's been a reallly long time, but i vaguely remember liking this movie- i should probably watch it again
  • terig70
    March 16, 2007
    terig70
    This movie will draw you in like you wont believe you will get goose bumps through out the move well worth watching over and over

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Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg
May 25, 2005
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com

Finds a fairly novel way in which to mix some of the classic old-school characters with just a dose of otherworldly weirdness. I dug it. Full Review

John J. Puccio
May 22, 2005
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...the story manages to inject a much-needed shot of adrenaline into a dying carcass. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 7, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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Purgatory Trivia

  • Robin Williams tries to save is wife from purgatory.  Answer »
  • In which movie will you find Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and other dead western legends, brought together in a mysterious town and given a last chance to undo their violent pasts.   Answer »
  • In what movie did Randy Quaid play a character named Doc Woods?  Answer »
  • In the 1999 Movie, Purgatory, which outlaw did Donniw Wahlberg play?  Answer »
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