I enjoyed watching this series while it lasted. The concept was interesting and potentially a great vehicle for exploring values and character. However, at times, the actors, especially Blake, were somewhat over the top and seemed to be suffering from a lack of discipline and direction. A few times I wondered whether Blake was directing shows himself or, in some other way had too much control over the show. The characters were interesting and diverse and the idea of an island of generosity and care existing in a sea of poverty, despair and cruelty was appealing. I think it could have been a real winner with good, solid direction and writing. Too bad Blake bailed out before it had a chance to get it together.

This is a wonderful drama that never had the chance to be able to grow into a long term series. Robert Blake did a wonderful job of showing a rough, hard nose, tough love exterior while taking us to tender heartfelt moments that revealed a sensitive and caring Priest.This is not a typical "church" drama. It deals with hard life issues such as; rape, terminal illness, gang violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, and abandonment...and it deals with them in a "get your hands dirty" kind of way. Father Noah "Hardstep" Rivers, who grew up living in an orphanage, abandoned as an infant, is not afraid to go where the people of his church are and face their problems with them day after day.Most of the rest of the cast did a good job and with time would have melted together in a wonderful, hard hitting series. While trying to find its stride the one and only season of "Helltown" and the original pilot movie "The Father of Helltown" are well worth watching.

I have only very fond memories of this too short lived clever and well done TV series. It came on after Highway To Heaven and was in my opinion the better show. Bobby Blake was great. I loved the cast and the stories. And I just loved the theme song sung by Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy had also sung the theme to Bobby's other series Berreta. And the 2 themes did sound very similar. I was trying to find the Hell Town lyrics when I found the IMDb listing.HT should have been helped to continue. It was a 'hell' of a good TV series. It had heart and soul..I so would like to see this series get put out on DVD. I would buy it.

Robert Blake as a priest with a punch (some items just write themseleves). Only Blake's world could include characters like Sister Angel Cake or a pool-playing dud called One Ball. Blake played the collared tough guy, nicknamed Father Hardstep because he'd been abandoned as an infant on a, uh, hard step. All in all it wasn't that good in my opinion.