Seraphim Falls

Review by Steve Rogers

Production Year: 2006
DVD Release Date: May 15, 2007
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Director: David Von Ancken
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, Angelica Huston
Genre: Western
MPAA Rating: R
Widescreen Anamorphic, 2.35:1

First-time feature director David Von Ancken must have been acutely aware of the old adage “cut to the chase” when co-writing and directing Seraphim Falls. So aware in fact that the movie wastes less than a minute before the chase is on, and it’s a chase that doesn’t let up until the final frames of the movie.

Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson star as the hunted and hunter respectively in this gritty Western set shortly after the Civil War. Brosnan is Gideon, a former Union Army captain haunted by memories of wartime atrocities. Neeson plays Carver, a retired Confederate colonel intent on tracking down Gideon and making him pay for the aforementioned atrocities, whose significance only become fully apparent in a flashback seen during the final third of the film.

Beginning in the snowy heights of the Ruby Mountains of Nevada, the film’s chase scenes traverse through a variety of stunning landscapes ending in the parched desolation of an otherworldly looking desert. The harrowing opening moments of the film, where Gideon is shot in the arm by Carver’s posse, but manages to escape via a bone-chilling plunge down the snowy mountainside, into an icy river, then over a thunderous waterfall, set the tempo for the film. Soaked to the bone and nearing hypothermia in sub-freezing temperatures, Gideon then performs a primitive surgical procedure on his wounded arm. Additional scenes of graphic violence work well in ratcheting up the tension as Carver continues his relentless pursuit of Gideon. Throughout the film, Gideon (and the super-sized Bowie knife he carries) manage to instill serious doubt in the viewer as to just who really is the hunted.

But while the dramatic moments of suspense and confrontation are undeniably engaging and even riveting at times, the dramatic interplay between Brosnan and Neeson is kept to a minimum. The finale features Angelica Huston in a mysterious cameo meant to add some pizzazz to the film’s resolution, but ultimately we’re left wondering why the story couldn’t have been fleshed out in a more cohesive manner.

Video Quality

The video transfer on the DVD is gorgeous, aided by Oscar-winning cinematographer John Toll’s exquisite location shots. Colors are rendered in lush fashion with the shaded blues and grays of the snowy mountain scenes brought to icy life by Toll’s camera.

Audio Quality

No complaints here. The 5.1 Dolby Surround track is used to great effect, from the subtle sounds of the forest, to the thunderous roar of the mountaintop waterfall, and the pinging of ricocheting bullets during gun battles. An engaging sonic presentation.

Special Features

There’s a making of documentary featuring numerous members of the cast and crew who offer an interesting look into the actual making of the film. Neeson and Brosnan comment on their love of classic American Westerns and describe the rigors of the production shoot, which included filming in single digit temps and actually dunking Brosnan in the frigid water of a raging river. The audio commentary track features Brosnan, Van Ancken and Production Designer Michael Hanan and provides additional insight into the physical challenges associated with location shooting.

Summary

While Seraphim Falls is not about to challenge The Searchers for top dog status in the Western chase genre, it does offer a visceral and visual treat for lovers of Westerns. Unfortunately, the superb technical production of the film can’t make up for the thin storyline, and it’s a shame to see the efforts of talented actors like Neeson, Brosnan, Huston and the veteran Ed Lauter not used to better effect in a story that eventually wanders off course during its lengthy trek.