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The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 23 August 2007

Union captain Pierce Brosnan at the mercy of Confederate colonel Liam Neeson in this Civil War Western

Brosnan stirred by Civil War revenge drama

SERAPHIM FALLS
Directed by David Von Ancken
Certificate 15

AWAY from those shaken-not-stirred martinis, Pierce Brosnan has received plaudits for showing the world he can do more than just play James Bond.
Much more, conclusively proved by this brooding revenge Western set in a northern wilderness after the Civil War.
Sporting a Grizzly Adams beard that’s as thick as a rug, Brosnan stars as a former Union captain being hunted down by a vengeful Confederate colonel (Liam Neeson) and a posse of trackers.
The dramatic opening scenes set the tone: as the fugitive trudges through a wintry mountain forest in Oregon, a shot rings out and sends him slipping and sliding down the snow-covered slopes before plunging into an icy river.
With gritted teeth and frozen fingers, the captain digs the bullet out with a knife – and even if we’ve seen this in a dozen movies before, this time we really feel the pain.
It’s that kind of film: harsh and uncompromising.
Towards the climax of the chase the theme takes on a faintly mythical quality where everything becomes less clear-cut: Angelica Huston even makes an appearance as a medicine woman who may or may not be the devil.
The performances are as chilling as the scenery – stark and compelling, with Brosnan as a man of mystery who could be the good guy, or a force of evil.
An odd choice for him, but interesting.

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