Based on a Louis L'Amour book, the script for this made for cable film is marvelous; it's the substance that makes the characters come alive, and the performances so fine. Though very predictable, down to the very last shot, the words and the acting make it worthwhile viewing. Tom Selleck is superb as Rafe Covington, larger than life, a hero with principles and strength, who never misses his target, and is about as handsome as a man can be. He is backed by a great cast, with Virginia Madsen, one of Hollywood's most underrated actresses, perfect as the widow men want, either for love or what her ranch has to offer. Mark Harmon plays a slimy fellow who though he "has manners and smells nice", is pure greedy evil, and Wilford Brimley is terrific as Selleck's crusty old friend.

Filmed in Calgary, Alberta, the scenery and many horses are beautiful and David Eggby's cinematography makes the most of it, and Eric Colvin's atmospheric, melodic score adds so much to the film. Simon Wincer's direction is well paced (Wincer worked with Selleck in "Quigley Down Under"), but the bottom line is the script, by Charles Robert Carner, which is way above average for the genre, and being made for TV, is free of the foul language that has permeated films in this age, and makes it excellent family viewing.
Total running time is 95 minutes.

Excellent, old-fashioned classic western. Tom Selleck plays a cowboy who makes a promise to a dying friend to watch over the man's ranch and wife, and means to keep his word. Taken from a Louis L'Amour novel, CROSSFIRE TRAIL is a winner.
For those of us who haven't gone out of our way to track Selleck's career this movie is a revelation of sorts. He fits comfortably in the John Wayne/Randolph Scott/Gary Cooper tradition of the strong, dependable western hero. Fast paced and well photographed (see it in wide-screen if possible), with an above average cast, this movie is definitely going to please anyone who thinks they don't make them like that anymore.
CROSSFIRE TRAIL also contains one of the best final shootouts I've seen. Not only is it well choreographed and understandable, it also pulls off the unique trick of resolving some minor character questions - in particular those surrounding the town sheriff (Barry Corbin), who tries to drown his self-loathing while the guns are blazing. Simply a strong and smart western, essential for classic western fans, strongly recommended to the rest of you.

If you are a western fan, don't wait any longer....See this one! Especially if you like Selleck in Westerns. Selleck and the supporting cast do a great job keeping your interest in a tale of promises, love, and fighting for what's right. A lot of familiar faces in this one.....Wilford Brimley and Mark Harmon are among them. Quigley Down Under and Crossfire Trail would make a great double feature!

Based on a great story by Louis L'Amour, Crossfire Trail pits Tom Selleck's Rafe Covington, a cowboy who has promised a dying friend to protect his land and his wife, Ann Rodney, portrayed by Virginia Madsen, against a gang of Wyoming ruffians portrayed very capably by Mark Harmon as crooked businessman Bruce Barkow, Marshall Teague as general bad guy Snake Corvill and Brad Johnson as gun-for-hire Bo Dorn.

Wilford Brimley as Joe Gill, David O'Hara as Irish immigrant Brendan "Rock" Mullaney and Christian Kane as John Thomas Langston support Selleck in his classic good against evil quest. Add to the cast and setting the unparalleled direction of Simon Wincer (Lonesome Dove) and you just can't miss with Crossfire Trail.

Crossfire Trail is the classic western tale: The evil land grabber, the hapless heroine and the avenging hero who, taking on all comers, overcomes evil, restores justice and gets the girl.

Tom Selleck has emerged as the leading actor in the modern western genre. With stellar performances in Quigley Down Under, The Shadow Riders, Monte Walsh and Crossfire Trail, he is well on the way to achieving the same western star status and appeal as Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duvall and Clint Eastwood. Crossfire Trail is a fitting showcase.

Douglas McAllister

It was hard to follow in the beginning but once you caught
on it was GREAT!!! I love Selleck, he makes a good kick-ass
cowboy. I recomend this movie to anyone who loves a good
kick-ass western!!