RELEASED IN 2005 and directed by James Intveld, "Miracle at Sage Creek" (aka "Christmas Miracle at Sage Creek") is a Western about two families in 1888 Wyoming who overcome bitterness, hatred, prejudice, doubt and death during Christmas. MAIN CAST: David Carradine, Wes Studi, Sarah Aldrich, Daniel Quinn, Irene Bedard & Tim Abell.
The problem some viewers have with this Western is that the events take place near Cheyenne in southeastern Wyoming around Christmas time, but it was shot in southeastern Arizona outside Tucson where there's desert, cacti and no snow. For comparison, the wintery scenes of "The Hateful Eight" (2015) were shot 250 miles FURTHER SOUTH from Cheyenne near Telluride, Colorado.
Whereas this is a glaring problem for "Miracle at Sage Creek," particularly for people who care about geographical details, the obvious reason the producers shot the movie in southeastern Arizona was to save money. After all, there are ready-made movie sets near Tucson, like Old Tucson and Gammon's Gulch Movie Set, but generally not in the Cheyenne area. The only way I could overlook this issue was to imagine the events taking place in southern Arizona. Really, I have no idea why they didn't just tweak the story so that it takes place there.
Another thing to consider is that Westerns, particularly older ones, are notorious for being shot in places far from where they propose to take place. A good example are the many ones that take place in Texas, but were conveniently shot in Arizona or California. With this and the above in mind, perhaps we can have mercy on "Miracle at Sage Creek."
Overlooking that transgression, this is a decent inspirational Western focusing on drama rather than conventional Western action, although there some of that (shootouts). And, despite the error in locations, the settings are magnificent (they're just not anything close to southeastern Wyoming). Moreover, both Carradine and Studi are stalwart in their roles while the others listed above offer capable support. What I appreciate most, beyond the picturesque scenery, is the palpable tone of reverence, which is helped via the venerable score by James Intveld & Michael Turner.
While this is a "feel good" movie with one predictable element at the very end, it addresses several heavy topics, like prejudice, injustice, bitterness, hatred, life-or-death situations, confrontation, unexpected violence, the humbling need for a miracle, the power of simple faith ("heathen" or not), positive confession and the beauty of a change of heart.
THE FILM RUNS 90 minutes and was shot in southeastern Arizona (Benson, Mescal, Old Tucson, Douglas & Gammons Gulch). WRITER: Thadd Turner.
GRADE: B
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