Sad to say that a movie with David Carradine and Wes Studi could be a Xmas turkey. The kids are constantly mugging (as opposed to acting), "Wyoming" in December replete with cacti and sunny, snow-free landscape(?!!)--all the stock characters of a Fifties Western are here, but not even John Wayne could have rescued this movie.Michael Parks is the only actor who is really trying, the rest are very trying, indeed. If you want to see the principal players (Carradine & Studi) working their full range of ability, rent/buy "Commanche Moon" or "Bound for Glory". You can catch glimpses here of Studi at least trying to inhabit the role of a very amateur effort. Yes, if you want a G-rated movie for young children, this would work. Sadly, Nicholas the dog gets better direction and lines than his fellow actors. The notable exception is the mustachioed stage driver (Buck Taylor), who appeared in a supporting role in a fantastic Western-- "Tombstone" as Turkey Creek Jack Johnson.If you're looking for something uplifting, get "Little House on The Prairie" or "Dr Quinn", which appear to be the inspiration for this movie-of-the-week knock-off. This was one of a triptych of movies (three movie set for $5), which says it all. Rent this for the kiddies, if you're into faith-based fare, then go out and get a real Western where the actors get to shine, e.g.,any of the Lonseome Dove mini-series, "Tombstone", "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee", or even "Hidalgo", a great family movie which slipped under the radar a few years back.

This was, to put it lightly, unwatchable garbage.My crap detector first went to orange alert when the two boys look for fire wood by sitting down and picking up the sticks in there immediate area and pile them together. This was then followed by a gun fight where people take cover behind barren shrubbery and don't get shot. Not only do they not get shot, they add in rickashay sound effects meaning that they aren't just retardedly bad shots, but the twigs are actually blocking to bullets.Who ever directed this film should be black listed and maybe checked for Alzheimer's or blindness.

Miracle at Sage Creek is a great film! Writer/producer, Thadd Turner and director, James Intveld's attention to period detail is remarkable. This western is set during the 1880's in Wyoming. The filmmaker's give equal time to Native American and White characters. This is truly a family film that creates full and authentic characters that are dealing with overcoming hardship and tragedy. The ensemble cast led by David Carradine and Tim Abell give true and convincing performances. Buck Taylor is a standout as "Buckskin Charlie". The film deals with issues such as faith, pride, acceptance and redemption in a realistic and un-preachy manner, which is refreshing. The film suggests that we are all connected whether you believe in the "Great Spirit" as the Native American played by Wes Studi does or you are a member of the Christian faith. This is a great movie to show your kids.

Thadd Turner is a true western writer. The realism in the film reminds me of Unforgiven. The story reminds me of Shane. The whole feeling of the film from the photography to the music and the acting has that resonance of how it really was back then. Westerns are my favorite type of film and this one is excellent. If you like a good exciting story and if you like westerns, then this one is for you. The casting is great too. You have David Carridine, Michael Parks, Wes Studi, Rance Howard, who turns in a great performance as the Doctor, and believe it or not Buck Taylor from Gunsmoke, and Thadd Turner too! The whole cast turns in excellent performances all around. James Intveld directed and did the music, both an excellent achievement. His directing gave it that real hometown feel. You don't get the feeling the actors are acting like in some movies. The music brought you into the old west. You really get the sense how tough you had to be back then and how hard it was to make ends meet. We take a lot for granted these days, but that's how we started the west always hoping for a miracle.