zardoz-13 "Dead Man's Revenge" opens like a tragedy before it turns into a sly comedy. Railroad speculator Bruce Dern plays a truly villainous bad guy, like Michael Ironsides is cast as the rancher good guy. As things unfold, Luck Hatcher (Michael Ironsides of "Starship Troopers") has a ranch that Payton McCay (Bruce Dern of "The Cowboys") wants badly, so badly that he has his dastardly henchmen gun down one of Hatcher's children. In a grandiose show of villainy, after he has run off Hatcher, McCay smothers Hatcher's wife to death. This western has a good cast, but writers Jim Byrnes of "Gunsmoke" and David Chisholm of "Longarm" have penned a saga that changes horses. Ultimately, this switcheroo western resembles an episode of "Alias Smith & Jones," but it is as well done. Ultimately, the only thing memorable about "Dead Man's Revenge" is the casting of Michael Ironsides as a wrongly accused hero.

Woodyanders Bitter and vengeful fugitive Luck Hatcher (an excellent performance by Michael Ironside), dignified former slave turned bounty hunter Jessup Bush (well played by Vondie Curtis-Hall), and wily deputy U.S. Marshal Bodine (a solid and engaging portrayal by Keith Coulouris) all converge in a small town in order to hatch an intricate con in order to bring greedy and ruthless railroad speculator Payton McCay (the always great Bruce Dern in fine slimy and hateful form) to justice. Director Alan J. Levi relates the tricky story at a steady pace, offers a credible evocation of the period, and further spruces things up with amusing touches of sharp humor. The smart and engrossing script by Jim Byrnes and David Chisholm boasts several neat twists and turns and gives everyone a valid reason for seeking revenge on McCay. The first-rate cast rates as another a major asset: Daphne Ashbrook as shrewd bank president Carrey Rose, Tobin Bell as McCay's vicious right-hand man Bullock, Melora Walters as sweet and ditsy saloon gal Bunny, and Doug McClure as the bumbling Granger. Moreover, there are nifty bits by Luis Contreras, M.C. Gainey, Robert Cornthwaite, and country singer Randy Travis (as a U.S. Marshal). Moreover, it's a real treat to see Ironside in a rare and refreshing heroic lead role. John Beymer's bright cinematography and David Schwartz's flavorsome score are both up to par. Worth a watch.

john_c_calhoun Booker's critique of Deadman's Revenge was right on the money! I own a videotape of this film and have watched it many times and indeed, the character actors of Booker the Piano Player and Polsen the Bartender are both unique and depict the people who inhabited the Old West so accurately and look as though they were lifted from the photographs of the U.S. South West of the late 19th Century. Michael Ironside played his role extremely well and it was a surprise to see him as the "good guy" for a change! Randy Travis added luster to this film well directed by Levi who also directed other memorable films and t.v. series, Doug McClure was superb in his role though short it was, he got the most of it and ended an unsurpassed career , especially in Westerns. Vondie Kurtis Hall added the African-American cowboy element left out of earlier Westerns. Like Herb Jeffries, Hall contributed a realistic image of the black cowboy. Oscar Micheaux would have been proud of him! The twists and turns were really great and held me in suspense when I saw it for the first time and was amazed at the transformation of the main character played by Michael Ironside from a youthful man with a full head of hair to a mature man who was unashamed of going bald. Bruce Dern was excellent as usual and knows how to portray the "bad guy." I'd highly recommend this film to all Western fans for its realistic portrayal of the Old West! I buy copies of the video and give them to friends and relatives as Christmas stocking fillers and for gifts at Channuka and Kwaanza too! If you see this video on sale, buy it because when you go back after deciding, it'll be gone and in some other luck soul's video collection. Hope it comes out on DVD soon! Booker had it right!

helpless_dancer Ok. This could have been a good film if it had a total rewrite. And a different director. Plus a few decent actors would have helped. I mean, Randy Travis? As a ranger? PLEASE!! This guy has the acting ability of a seed tick. And the voice of bullfrog that has went 'rivit' one time to many. He needs to stick with what he is good at. I hope that one day he finds out just what he is good at. This was a corny, unrealistic picture about the 'good' prevailing over the 'bad'. I felt like puking.