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Crossfire Trail
Crossfire Trail
Crossfire Trail
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Crossfire Trail
DVD cover
GenreWestern
Based onCrossfire Trail
by Louis L'Amour
Teleplay byCharles Robert Carner
Directed bySimon Wincer
Starring
Music byEric Colvin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Michael Brandman
  • Tom Selleck
Producers
CinematographyDavid Eggby
EditorTerry Blythe
Running time96 minutes
Production companies
  • Brandman Productions
  • TWS Productions II
Original release
NetworkTNT
ReleaseJanuary 21, 2001 (2001-01-21)

Crossfire Trail is a 2001 American Western television film directed by Simon Wincer, written by Charles Robert Carner, and starring Tom Selleck, Virginia Madsen, and Wilford Brimley. Based on the 1954 novel by Louis L'Amour, the film is about a wanderer who swears an oath to his dying best friend to look after his beloved wife and ranch, only to encounter another force who strongly desires the ranch and the woman for his own purposes.

Crossfire Trail premiered on TNT on January 21, 2001, to 12.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched made-for-cable film ever, until the premiere of High School Musical 2 in 2007.[1][2]

This is the second collaboration between Wincer and Selleck, following Quigley Down Under in 1990. They reunited again for Monte Walsh in 2003.

Plot

[edit]

In 1880, Rafe Covington is with his best friend Charles Rodney on a vessel bound for San Francisco. Rodney is dying, having been severely beaten by the ship's captain. With his last breaths, Rodney makes Covington swear an oath to take care of his beloved Wyoming Territory ranch and his wife, Anne. After beating the captain to avenge Rodney's death, Covington and his two other friends, Rock Mullane and J.T. Langston, head off to Wyoming. After a long trek through the Rocky Mountains, they find the ranch long deserted and immediately set to work restoring it.

Covington heads into the local town to pick up supplies. He finds Anne and informs her of what happened, but she refuses to believe him, as it had been accepted that Rodney was killed by a Sioux war party a year previously. Anne is also being wooed by wealthy businessman Bruce Barkow, who essentially runs the town and secretly desires the ranch for his own purposes.

Covington befriends Joe Gill, an older cowboy who was a good friend of Rodney's, and calls Snake Corville a liar for the story of how Rodney was killed. Covington then rescues local Sioux Chief Red Cloud's daughter from the clutches of Mike Taggart, one of Barkow's hired men; Mike, his brother Luke, and their friend Snake Corville all become hostile to Covington in response. Covington and his friends also round up Rodney's scattered cattle and get the ranch going again, angering Barkow. Covington tries to convince Anne that he was there when Rodney died, and is there to look after the ranch and her, but she repeatedly refuses to believe him. Simultaneously, Barkow attempts to convince Anne that Covington is only interested in the ranch for himself.

One day, Covington, Rock, J.T., and Gill head into town for a drink, and Covington purchases a new Winchester Centennial rifle that was special-ordered for Rodney. Outside, an inebriated Mike challenges Covington to a duel. Covington tries to walk away, but when Mike draws his pistol and shoots, Covington returns fire with the rifle and kills him. Snake then attempts to ambush Covington from atop one of the buildings, but Covington notices and guns him down, too. With the stakes now raised, Barkow sends for Beau Dorn, an infamous gunfighter with an impeccable reputation.

The next day, Covington, Gill, Rock, and J.T. discover large volumes of petroleum oil on the ranch. When they arrive back at the ranch house, they find Barkow there with his thugs. Barkow gives Covington three days to clear out with J.T. and Rock, or else he will force them out. He offers Gill the chance to stay, but Gill openly sides with Covington. Dorn arrives in town and meets with Barkow; he agrees to kill Covington and his friends in exchange for a piece of the ranch for himself. That night, Barkow officially proposes marriage to Anne, but she neither accepts nor rejects his proposal.

When the three days run out, Barkow sends Dorn to the ranch, where he perches atop a hill with a sniper rifle. Anne also rides out to the ranch, and Covington shows her the pits of petroleum oil. Finally realizing Barkow's true intentions, Anne tells Covington she believes him and they kiss. Dorn opens fire with his rifle from afar, shooting J.T. in the heart and killing him. Barkow's thugs then steal Rodney's cattle and herd them into town. When Anne rides in and tells Barkow she believes Covington, he angrily beats her and forces the town's cowardly sheriff/justice of the peace to marry them in front of the townspeople, thereby giving him legal control over the ranch. Barkow then attempts to rape Anne in a hotel room, knocking her unconscious when she fights back.

Covington, Rock, and Gill hold a funeral for J.T., then load up their guns and ride into town to confront Barkow and Dorn. A furious gunfight ensues as Rock, Gill, and the town's general store owner take on Barkow and his thugs. Though Gill and the store owner are both shot and wounded, all of Barkow's men are gunned down, with Rock killing Luke by emptying his rifle into him. Meanwhile, Covington engages Dorn in a one-on-one shootout. Dorn appears to shoot Covington, but Covington plays dead and then shoots Dorn in the ankle and chest. Dorn slowly dies, and Covington holsters his weapon, only to be shot and wounded in the back by Barkow. Just as Barkow prepares to finish off Covington, Anne arrives and shoots him dead with Covington's rifle. With the battle over, the townspeople emerge from the buildings as Covington, Anne, Gill, and Rock reunite.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Filming took place in Calgary[3] and at the CL Westerntown set and backlot in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.[4]

Reception

[edit]

Crossfire Trail received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While the musical score and cinematography received praise, most critics suggested the film added nothing new to the Western genre as a whole.

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Crossfire Trail

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Crossfire Trail is a American Western directed by and starring as the drifter Rafe Covington, who vows to his dying friend to safeguard the man's wife and ranch in amid threats from a scheming businessman seeking the property. Adapted from Louis L'Amour's 1954 novel of the same name, which originated as an expanded version of his 1948 "The Trail to Crazy Man," the film features as Anne Rodney, the ranch owner's widow, alongside supporting actors including and . Produced by Michael Brandman for TNT and premiered on the network on January 21, 2001, the movie emphasizes themes of honor, loyalty, and central to L'Amour's storytelling, with Covington assembling a crew of rugged allies to defend the homestead against encroachment and violence. Running approximately 96 minutes, it received mixed , praised for Selleck's charismatic and authentic Western atmosphere but critiqued for predictable plotting, ultimately earning a 40% approval rating on based on limited reviews. The film's captures the vast landscapes, filmed on location in , to evoke the novel's rugged setting of rolling grasslands and towering mountains. As part of a series of L'Amour adaptations featuring Selleck, including The Shadow Riders, Crossfire Trail highlights the author's enduring legacy in Western literature, with over 330 million copies of his works sold worldwide, blending historical detail with moral dilemmas faced by gunslingers and settlers.

Development and Production

Source Material and Adaptation

Crossfire Trail is based on the novel of the same name by Louis L'Amour, first published in 1954 as a paperback original by Ace Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. The story originated as the 1948 short story "The Trail to Crazy Man," published in West magazine under L'Amour's pseudonym Jim Mayo, and was expanded into the full novel. In the book, the protagonist is Rafe Caradec, a gambler, wanderer, and soldier of fortune hardened by experiences in Latin America and on battlefields. Caradec promises his dying friend, Charles Rodney, to deliver ownership papers for a Wyoming ranch and to protect Rodney's wife, Ann, from any harm; upon arriving in the town of Painted Rock, he uncovers a scheme by corrupt businessmen Beau Barkow and Dan Shute to seize the property by falsely claiming an unpaid mortgage and attributing Rodney's death to a Sioux attack. The narrative centers on Caradec's efforts to honor his pledge amid confrontations with the antagonists and their hired gunmen, incorporating side elements such as aiding a Sioux woman, while underscoring L'Amour's signature themes of personal integrity and rugged individualism in the American West. The TNT adapts L'Amour's novel under the screenplay by Charles Robert Carner, who preserved the core premise of a wanderer's to safeguard a and her from land grabbers but tailored it for a two-hour broadcast format. Development occurred under Turner Network Television as an original movie, with principal photography taking place in 2000, leading to its on , . Executive producers included , who also portrayed the lead, and Michael Brandman, with additional production oversight by Thomas Kane and Steven J. Brandman. Carner's script highlights themes of honor and through introspective character moments and moral dilemmas, shifting some emphasis from the novel's episodic wanderings to a more streamlined conflict centered on retaliation against . Key alterations in the include changing the protagonist's surname from Caradec to Covington, likely to simplify pronunciation for broader audiences, while retaining his background as a resourceful drifter. Other character names and relationships were adjusted for contemporary resonance, such as refining interactions among supporting figures to amplify dynamics. The romantic tension between the hero and the Ann is expanded, portraying an immediate attraction that evolves into a central emotional arc, contrasting the novel's subtler depiction of her capability and initial wariness. Subplots involving hired guns are amplified through Rafe's loyal companions—depicted as a tight-knit group of frontiersmen—adding layers of camaraderie and action sequences not as prominently featured in the book's solo-focused narrative. Violence is toned down compared to the novel's raw confrontations, opting for implied threats and restrained gunplay suitable for television viewers, while maintaining the story's ethical stakes without graphic detail. These modifications enhanced the film's accessibility and dramatic pacing for a cable audience.

Casting and Filming

directed Crossfire Trail, drawing on his extensive experience with Western genres, including his work on the acclaimed 1989 miniseries . Wincer, who previously collaborated with lead actor on the 1990 film , emphasized a traditional yet nuanced approach to the Western, focusing on authentic period visuals through expansive landscapes and character-driven storytelling. Tom Selleck starred as the protagonist Rafe Covington while serving as an , leveraging his established affinity for Western roles from projects like to shape the film's tone and production. Virginia Madsen was cast as Anne Rodney, bringing dramatic intensity to the role of the resilient widow, supported by her prior work in emotionally complex characters. Wilford Brimley portrayed the loyal ranch hand Joe Gill, selected for his veteran presence in Westerns and ability to convey rugged authenticity. Supporting roles included David O'Hara as Rafe's loyal companion Rock Mullaney, chosen through standard casting procedures to complement the ensemble's chemistry. Principal photography occurred primarily in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, utilizing the CL Ranch at 45001 Township Road for ranch and outdoor scenes to stand in for the Wyoming setting. The production team featured cinematographer David Eggby, who captured panoramic shots of the Alberta foothills to evoke the vast American West, and composer Eric Colvin, whose score underscored the film's themes of loyalty and frontier tension. Practical effects were employed for action sequences, including gunfights and stunts involving horseback riding.

Content

Plot Summary

Rafe Covington, a rugged drifter and former sailor, makes a solemn vow to his dying friend Charles Rodney aboard a ship off the California coast in 1880, promising to protect Rodney's wife, Anne, and their 40,000-acre ranch in Wyoming Territory from any threats. This commitment drives Rafe to lead a mutiny against the abusive captain who caused Rodney's fatal injuries, after which he sets out for Wyoming accompanied by his loyal companions, gunman Rock Mullaney and young J.T. Langston. Upon arriving in the small town near the ranch, Rafe discovers that Anne believes her husband died a year earlier in an Indian attack—a story fabricated by local schemers—and she has since withdrawn from ranch life to teach at the , while fending off advances from the wealthy and ruthless businessman Bruce Barkow, who owns the local saloon and seeks to marry her to gain control of the property. Rafe introduces himself to a wary , revealing her husband's true fate and his promise, but she initially rejects his help, viewing him as an intruder; meanwhile, Barkow, sensing a rival, begins plotting to eliminate Rafe through intimidation and hired muscle. Rafe forms alliances with sympathetic locals, including the gruff storekeeper Joe Gill, who provides crucial support, as tensions rise with a series of attempts on , including rustled during a drive and a brutal saloon brawl where Rafe defends himself against Barkow's thugs. Romantic sparks ignite between Rafe and amid the dangers, complicating her impending forced engagement to Barkow, who uncovers valuable oil deposits on and accelerates his schemes by hiring the deadly Beau Dorn to target Rafe's group. Betrayals mount as one of Barkow's informants reveals ranch vulnerabilities, leading to ambushes that claim the life of one of Rafe's men during a seemingly peaceful moment, heightening the stakes and forcing Rafe to rally his remaining allies for a desperate defense. The conflict culminates in a fierce showdown at , where Rafe confronts Dorn in a tense and faces Barkow's full gang in an explosive battle involving shootouts and close-quarters combat, ultimately exposing the web of deceit surrounding Rodney's . In the resolution, Rafe upholds his vow by securing for , defeating the antagonists and restoring order, underscoring the enduring power of loyalty and honor in the unforgiving frontier.

Cast and Characters

The principal cast of Crossfire Trail features as Rafe Covington, a stoic drifter and gunslinger bound by a strict moral code who arrives in to fulfill a to his dying friend by safeguarding the man's ranch and widow. Selleck's portrayal emphasizes Covington's reserved integrity and quiet authority, drawing on the actor's established screen presence to lend authenticity to the of the honorable wandering . Virginia Madsen plays Anne Rodney, the resilient widow and schoolteacher who resists mounting pressures to remarry while fighting to preserve her late husband's property amid threats from opportunistic suitors. Madsen's performance captures the character's emotional vulnerability and inner strength, contributing depth to the dynamic central to the story's themes of perseverance and . Wilford Brimley portrays Joe Gill, the loyal and avuncular ranch hand whose folksy wisdom and wry humor provide both and steadfast support to Covington's efforts. Brimley's depiction embodies the wise mentor figure common in Westerns, enhancing the film's portrayal of tight-knit frontier bonds through his warm, grounded delivery. Among the supporting players, appears as Rock Mullaney, Covington's affable Irish companion whose quick wit and storytelling add levity to the group's perilous journey. is cast as J.T. Langston, the impulsive young ranch hand who serves as an eager but hot-headed ally, highlighting the archetype of the inexperienced but brave frontiersman. delivers a nuanced turn as Bruce Barkow, the cunning and increasingly unhinged saloon owner whose villainous schemes drive much of the conflict, offering a contrast to the heroes' moral fortitude. Ken Pogue plays Gene Thompson, the pragmatic town merchant who navigates local politics with cautious authority, while rounds out key roles as Walter Moncrief, the weathered lawman upholding order in the tense community. These performances collectively reinforce the film's adherence to classic Western tropes, with the ensemble's chemistry underscoring themes of and on the untamed frontier.

Release and Reception

Premiere and Distribution

Crossfire Trail premiered as a made-for-television on TNT on January 21, 2001. The production, running 96 minutes, was crafted with a focus on broad appeal suitable for family viewing on . It featured no theatrical release, aligning with TNT's strategy for . The debut broadcast drew 12.5 million total viewers, marking it as the highest-rated original movie in TNT's history at the time and the most-watched made-for-cable film until surpassed in 2007. This strong performance prompted multiple repeat airings on the network throughout the early . Distribution extended beyond initial broadcasts with a DVD release by on July 10, 2001. The film later became available for streaming on platforms including , where it remains accessible for rental or purchase. Internationally, it received video premieres in countries such as on May 17, 2001, on September 2, 2001, and Russia on October 24, 2001, with subsequent availability in and through home video and digital services. Marketing efforts emphasized the film's roots as an adaptation of Louis L'Amour's and starred in a quintessential Western role, targeting fans of the genre. Promotions included tie-ins with Western-themed events and festivals to leverage the enduring appeal of narratives on television.

Critical and Audience Response

Crossfire Trail received mixed critical reviews upon its release. Aggregator reports a 40% approval rating based on five critic reviews, with detractors often citing uneven pacing and predictable plotting as shortcomings. In contrast, Variety offered a positive assessment, describing the film as a " to oaters" that skillfully blends with gunplay, while commending Tom Selleck's restrained portrayal of the stoic hero Rafe Covington and director Simon Wincer's sturdy handling of the material. The review highlighted the strong supporting performances, particularly from and , and praised the cinematography that captured the countryside as a for Wyoming's . Audience response proved more favorable, evidenced by an IMDb user rating of 7.1 out of 10 from over 4,100 votes. Fans appreciated Selleck's commanding return to the Western genre, often citing his authentic embodiment of L'Amour's rugged protagonists as a highlight. Reviewers on the platform frequently lauded the film's family-friendly emphasis on themes of honor, loyalty, and moral integrity, along with its rewatchable quality and visually stunning depiction of ranch life and landscapes. Discussions in Western enthusiast forums echoed these sentiments, noting the movie's accessibility for younger viewers while staying true to the novel's spirit of frontier resilience. In terms of legacy, Crossfire Trail played a role in reinvigorating interest in made-for-TV Westerns during the early , a period following the genre's waning popularity in the . Its premiere drew 12.5 million viewers, setting a record for the most-watched original cable movie until 2007 and underscoring strong audience demand for traditional oaters. The film's success influenced Selleck's later Western endeavors, including the 2003 TV movie Monte Walsh, and it earned the Western Heritage Award for Outstanding Television Feature Film in 2002 from the . Culturally, it has been recognized for authentically evoking Wyoming's frontier era through detailed period elements, contributing to ongoing appreciation for L'Amour adaptations in portraying ethical dilemmas of land and community.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218127/
  2. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Crossfire-Trail/0QBR59DYS3U0R0P0FP5USSMH8Y
  3. https://www.louislamour.com/novels/crossfire.htm
  4. http://www.paperbackwarrior.com/2023/08/crossfire-trail.html
  5. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crossfire_trail
  6. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/96537/crossfire-trail-by-louis-lamour/
  7. https://books.google.com/books/about/Crossfire_Trail.html?id=LddLJQuy3_gC
  8. https://variety.com/2001/tv/reviews/crossfire-trail-1200466329/
  9. https://jamesreasoner.blogspot.com/2013/02/tuesdays-overlooked-movies-crossfire.html
  10. https://alinakfield.com/for-love-of-westerns-dishing-on-louis-lamour/
  11. https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/lifestyle/2001/01/21/tom-selleck-s-back-in/50460778007/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218127/fullcredits/
  13. https://culturevulture.net/television/crossfire-trail/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218127/locations/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218127/plotsummary/
  16. https://onceuponatimeinawestern.com/crossfire-trail-2001/
  17. https://www.insp.com/shows-and-movies/crossfire-trail-2001/
  18. https://buddiesinthesaddle.blogspot.com/2011/08/crossfire-trail-2001.html
  19. https://www.louislamour.com/movies/crossfiretrail.htm
  20. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/crossfire-trail/cast/2030135231/
  21. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crossfire_trail/cast-and-crew
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218127/releaseinfo/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218127/companycredits/
  24. https://www.thewrap.com/hatfields-mccoys-earns-record-139m-total-viewers-history-41916/
  25. https://www.amazon.com/Crossfire-Trail-Tom-Selleck/dp/B00005JXI9
  26. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/crossfire-trail
  27. https://www.amazon.com.au/Crossfire-Trail-Tom-Selleck/dp/B001B187MU
  28. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/01/21/sooner-friends-help-out-in-western/62162068007/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218127/reviews/
  30. http://ireviewwesterns.com/crossfire-trail-review/
  31. https://screenrant.com/westerns-made-for-tv-good-theatrical-releases/
  32. https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/collections/awards/wha/410no-title/
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