The sloppiness I blame on the director. My friend said, "...who cares it was made for HBO...". I care and if it were my name associated with the movie I would at least make sure you couldn't see the harness cable behind the head of the man being hung. You could totally see it. They could have shot it from another angle and then we couldn't have seen it. Also in the scene in court they show women and a black man on the jury. Not even. In 1890 not even a state yet Wyoming no women were sitting on the jury. Anyway this movie is fraught with ill fitting scenes, motivations, and had lots of goofs. I saw John Cusack move his arm when they took him down from the gallows. There were many goofs. I would never put my name on something this sloppily made even if it were only for TV. I feel insulted when movies are this sloppily done.

if I could go 11 or 12 out of 10 I would. the summary says it all, best western in 30 or more years.. I have to go back in the time machine and pull out Hang Em High to get a decent picture, with the lone exception of Unforgiven of course. Hollywood doesn't seem to care about the western anymore, yeah there were 2 westerns I believe that were similar that came out a few years ago,, 310 to Yuma was one I believe.. which was good but not great. anyway, John Cusack gave the performance of a lifetime,, the storyline,, morals, everything in the movie is so engrossing,, John Goodman's character as the judge was very funny. I loved the scenery the great American west,, wide open plains, all in color too. the storyline was pretty simple straight forward and to the point, our main character is ripped off and he fights in what he believes in now matter what the personal sacrifice he has to make or what cost and risk to his family,, he is wronged pretty much by everyone he turns to,, this is a very sad story,, but a story with so much about morals and the right thing to do,, Hollywood does sorely need to make at least an attempt to do say like 3 westerns a year.. maybe one blockbuster,, one indie, and one just whatever,, so the genre stays alive,, I can't remember seeing 10 westerns since 1983 can you?

I know there haven't been many, but this is the best western since Clint's Unforgiven. The photography was excellent, the acting great and the story as simple as it could be. Proof if ever it was needed that character means more to a film than plot. My only slight surprise about the film is whether it realistically portrays the status of black people. Maybe my pre-conception of the time is wrong, but were black people so well integrated in the America of the Wild West? Did they serve as jurors? Still, I suppose it got me thinking about it. Well worth watching. 8/10

I happened on this movie and rented it because I really love John Cusack! He is such a wonderful actor! This movie is rather difficult to watch because it doesn't follow the hollywood norm. It addresses the human condition in it's - not always - happy form. But it's a thinker and it makes me look at the importance in how you react to life's trials! As I said it was sometimes hard to watch but I am glad I did because it shows that things happen in this life and it's how we handle them that matters. You have to do what you have to do - for your soul!