Watch Purgatory For Free

Very disappointing...

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Blistering performances.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

RELEASED TO TV IN 1999 and directed by Uli Edel, "Purgatory" chronicles events circa 1888 when a gang of outlaws led by Blackjack Britton (Eric Roberts) holds up in a mysterious hidden town called Refuge where the inhabitants seem overly gracious and pacifistic. Respectful greenhorn Sonny (Brad Rowe) increasingly suspects something strange is happening. Sam Shepard plays the Sheriff, Donnie Wahlberg his deputy, Randy Quaid the doctor and JD Souther a shop-owner. Amelia Heinle and Shannon Kenny are on hand in the feminine department.Other than the action-packed opening, this is a town-bound Western. While you can pick-up the made-for-TV quality right away, the movie scores well in its intriguing premise and quality writing. There are fantastical elements akin to "Pale Rider" (1985) and "High Plains Drifter" (1973). The movie's pretty much on par with the former and superior to the latter IMHO due to the more engaging story and weighty subtext.THE FILM RUNS 1 hour, 34 minutes and was shot in Barstow and Burbank Studios, California. WRITER: Gordon T. Dawson.GRADE: BADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read unless you've watched the movie).Some viewers misunderstood the premise of the movie. The town of Refuge isn't just for outlaws; it's the "last chance" for the "marginally good," as phrased in the movie; it evens says something like the inhabitants were plucked from the incorrigibly wicked. As such, the citizens (not visitors) have different identities and occupations than in their former lives. For instance, Billy the Kid is now Deputy Glen, not a gunfighter; and Dolly Sloan is now Ivy, not a prostitute or suffragette. Holliday was now Doc Woods, an M.D. and not a dentist, who wasn't skinny because he no longer has tuberculosis.Just the same, Jesses James was now a shop owner named Brooks and was no longer robbing trains. Some contend that James deserved immediate damnation because he was a notorious bank/train robber, but the movie implies that he was corrupted by the Civil War during his developing years which involved the bloody guerrilla warfare in Missouri/Kansas and therefore he is given a "last chance" in Refuge .As for the dubious chronology, Holliday might have been a relatively recent arrival and therefore the reference to "10 years" in regards to Hickok's death actually meant "about 10 years." So the events could be taking place in 1888 or even 1889.The movie suggests that Sonny was read-up on famous Western figures and so recognized clues to their real identities. He only suspected who they really were. And this was eventually verified as he increasingly discovers the supernatural nature of Refuge. In other words, it wasn't like he instantly recognized these individuals and was 100% sure of their semi-infamous identities based on dime-store novels.Lastly, some complain that the movie supports the questionable idea that shooting people makes you a candidate for eternal life. Actually, it advocates selfless bravery and commitment to justice: Blackjack & his gang proved that they were chronic thugs and a serious threat to others; taking a violent-if-necessary stand against them was the only answer since they were incurable. The best way to stop a bad person with a gun is via a good person with a gun.

Purgatory starts is set in the old Wild West where Blackjack Britton (Eric Roberts) & his gang rob a bank in a town, soldiers unexpectedly show up & after a shoot-out that leaves both soldiers & some of the bank robbers dead Blackjack & his gang flee the town with an angry posse in hot pursuit. Blackjack & his gang without rest & eventually come across the small town of Refuge where no-one carries a gun, even Sheriff Forrest (Sam Shepherd) & his Deputy (Donnie Wahlberg) are unarmed. Blackjack & his gang see Refuge as easy prey, they intend to rest up there for a while & then rob the place when they leave. Howeversomething about Refuge isn't quite right, why are the townsfolk so peaceful? Why are there no guns? Why do so many of the townsfolk resemble famous dead outlaws?Made for & originally shown on telly (by the TNT Network) this fantasy Western was directed by Uli Edel & while the premise of an old American Wild West town that acts as a half way stop for dead criminals who during their lives at least had some humanity to prove that themselves fit to enter Heaven rather than spend eternity in Hell doesn't exactly sound brilliant I was surprised at how good Purgatory was. Don't get me wrong though, Purgatory isn't any sort of forgotten masterpiece or even approaching that but as a quirky little oddball mix of genres & styles I did like it. The character's are strong here, by the time the final stand-off came & the final shoot-out blasted into action I was really into the offbeat story & likable character's. Various famous Wild West outlaws are featured, Jesse James, Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid & Wild Bill Hickock all make an appearance & are seen trying to save themselves from spending eternity in Hell but to do so they must spend ten years in Refuge & not so much as lift a gun let alone use one. The story unfolds gradually, we learn little bits & pieces at a time rather than one big reveal which is alright but once the town's secret does finally come out the films almost over & we haven't had that big twist where the whole story is thrown up in the air so the final realisation is maybe a little flatter than it could have been. Also there's no real explanation why Refuge is out in the middle of the desert or if the townsfolk are already dead how they can be killed again by Blackjack & his gang. At 90 odd minutes long it doesn't outstay it's welcome & there's enough time for the story to take shape & unfold.Some may be put off by the lack of action or horror elements, there's a couple of shoot-outs but nothing amazing. The film has really good production values, the sets & costumes & effects are really good with shots like dozens of men on horseback riding along firing guns although there is a silly CGI computer effect at the end which seems very at odds with the old Wild West setting. Despite featuring several real historical figures Purgatory obviously makes no serious attempt to be factual or realistic.Very well made with a rock solid cast of pros including Eric Roberts, Sam Shepherd, Randy Quaid, Peter Stormare & Donnie Wahlberg while Purgatory was one of the last feature film appearance's by R.G. Armstrong. The cast all give good performances.Purgatory is a surprisingly entertaining & sometimes touching little fantasy Western that really had no right to be as good as it is, on paper it sounds like a disaster but in reality Purgatory is a good solid offbeat film that won't appeal to all but is much better than many would expect.

Sorry it is the wrong actor ,it is not Sam Elliot,it is actually Sam Shepard who plays the sheriff.I have looked up both actors and I am a fan of both and It is Sam Shepard not Sam Elliott. How such a mistake could slip past IMDb I do not know but it makes me question the accuracy of any other information.Yet to put this info up I must write ten plus lines to correct their mistake. This film is on right now on channel nine Melbourne Australia. I welcome any comments from anyone who has seen this film as to who they think the sheriff is..............................Sam Elliott or Sam Shepard. I personally believe it is actually Sam shepard

As a practicing Roman Catholic and movie lover, I thought I've seen all the good movies out there that were done professionally and had a good message without offensive content. I was also intrigued at the title of this movie since it hit on a topic that I firmly believe in. Of course, since it was Hollywood produced, I was very curious to see how they would portray Purgatory. Well, after all is said and done, it wasn't much for theological accuracy (as expected) but it really was very enjoyable to watch and gave good food for thought. There is some swearing (by the bad guys) but it was all in context and it wasn't excessive. The film actually reminded the viewers that swearing was not "good". The overall theme did teach some valuable lessons in practicing virtue and putting your priorities straight. The character acting was superb and the overall message was a winner. If it wasn't for the swearing, I'd say every family should have this movie in their home library or at least set aside for the teens.