In a Valley of Violence [DVD]

Nothing

How many times have we seen a mysterious loner wander innocently into a desolate town trying to avoid trouble only to get into a violent confrontation with the sheriff or local land baron's son? The loner tends to be killed by the son but ends up not so dead and back for revenge? And be sure to add in the lovely town's lady with a tragic past and a need to help the loner. We've seen it countless times and I was reminded of so many other westerns when watching IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE, yet this film seemed fresh. Somehow a worn out story seemed new and with just the right amount of dark humor.The twists in the routine story is what makes this film so fascinating. Ethan Hawke is perfect as the lonely drifter trying to make it to Mexico and a new life with his beloved dog. He is not looking for trouble but sure finds it. John Travolta is absolutely perfect as the sheriff who seems corrupt but yet not that bad. He is not looking for trouble either and sends the drifter and dog on their way after a scuffle with the sheriff's nasty son. A peaceful end to a confrontation? We can be sure it is not. You can already guess what happens next and how the film becomes a story of revenge.All the pieces seem to fit in this film. The scenery is beautiful. The actors are great. This time the lovely lady in town is a teenager played by lovely Taissa Farmiga. The music is mesmerizing and the movie feels right on all levels. The doses of comedy are often poetic in nature...almost absurdly real rather than slapstick. I have a new respect for both Ethan Hawke and John Travolta in this tale of revenge. No doubt this film was a labor of love to all involved. A small film that is actually bigger than it seems. Truly a new twist on an old west story

I enjoyed this quirky Western. I have to say that while I'm not a huge Travolta fan, he did an amazing job with the character he was given to portray. I'd recommend it for an evening's pastime...

It’s really refreshing to see a genre movie that is completely a genre movie that true to the genre, keeps things simple, *and* delivers more than what was on the box. Solid story, really good script, excellent performances and direction. The movie doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t, and it’s excellent all around. It’s really a much better movie than it ever should’ve been, and that in and of itself is impressive. — Recommended.

Be prepared for bloody graphical scenes. The bad guy in this story is completely ruthless. The local townfolk and their preacher/sheriff are pathetic. But stoic Mads makes revenge into an art form. Also, as a treat for soccer fans, there is a small role as a tough bad guy for Eric Cantona , the former Man U striker of long ago.

A really entertaining story about revenge. A drifter and his dog walks into a small town, picks a fight with the town bully and knocks him out. Then the drifter gets run out of town by the sheriff, whose son was the bully the drifter knocked out. Afterwards the bully son catches up to the man and they attack him and leave him for dead. Big mistake.Ethan Hawke plays Paul, the drifter who is just passing through town trying to stay out of trouble. Its unavoidable and now he's got to go after all of the people who wronged him. John Travolta plays the one legged town sheriff, a man who rules over the town with intimidation and threats. James Ransome plays his son, the big mouth so started everything.It's a fast and deeply entertaining story. Entire story takes place about a day and a half and there is no fat in the story. Probably one of the best westerns in years.

B-C rate

Ethan Hawke stars as Paul, a lone drifter who wanders into the forgotten town of Denton, Texas – dubbed by locals as the "valley of violence." There, gets into a fight with the wrong man, Gilly (James Ransone), the troublemaking son of the town's unforgiving marshal (John Travolta). I love me an occasional western and especially when it is done right. the start is a bit slow and Ethan as a very low key gun slinger sometimes goes too slow. John is terrific by the way as the Marshall that has the town under his thumb. His grasp of the situation is wonderful. Every character is authentic and I loved it. I won't say what caused the fracas but early on I think you will see it coming. So Sad.

Hawke plays a loner and army deserter who wonders into the down of Denton with his dog. He grunts a lot and tries his best to imitate Eastwood but it is a very shoddy attempt. He soon gets in a fight with the local loudmouth and is forced to leave by the Marshall Travolta who is equally miscast and clearly did this film just for the money. Karen Gillan has a bit part as a dumb bimbo and is totally wasted in that regard as she's a decent actress given the chance. Farmega does a decent job of what is essentially a totally dire story-line/screenplay. How and why this film ever got made is questionable. The loudmouth with a group of friends sneak up on Hawke after he leaves at his makeshift camp outside the town and kill his dog so he goes back intent on revenge. Yes, that is how bad the story-line is- avoid at all costs.

Anyone who thinks john travolta wouldn’t suit a western try this one you will soon find out how wrong you are. This is fantastic and travolta plays a brilliant part as the sheriff it’s also very funny without having to much humour to make it daft. This is one of my favourite westerns. Try it you will love it.

Nothing special, average, mostly predictable western. Shame about the dog, best parts of the movie...and probably the best acting...!

I really enjoyed this film! The (light) humour made it more unique than most westerns but I have loved the genre sonce old classic John Wayne films. Good to see Hollywood can still produce something enjoyable!

I always enjoy a good western , this was a good western . It is how westerns were made when I was a boy , ( now 73) . John Travolta played a good ‘baddies ‘ father . I thouroghly enjoyed it!