User reviews

"Some say the legend of Duke Donovan began to eclipse the man." After Marshall Duke Donovan (Brooks) is thrown in jail as an accomplice in a bank robbery he learns that his former partner is plotting to kill his wife. After getting help he escapes and begins the trail of saving his wife and clearing his name. This movie continues the western tradition of "the other side of the story" that every one is told. Movies like Blackthorn, Young Guns 2 and (the one that did it best) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance are examples of this. When the entire country seems to know what happened but when someone who was involved tells what they know everything changes. Since the plot of the movie involves a tried and true western idea and because it was R rated and didn't hold back the grit this is one of the better westerns in the last few years. Of course most of the recent westerns were Hallmark Channel westerns but even taking those away this was a good western. Even the bad acting didn't affect the way I felt about it. Overall, one of the better westerns that have come out lately. I give it a B-.

Since she bought it, we forced ourselves to watch. The film was full of mistakes. Lucky for me I watched it while more time was spent doing a crossword puzzle.

But who was the genius who cast Kix Brooks in the lead role of Duke Donovan?

Whoever it was needs a clue: Kix Brooks is a terrible actor. I have no training but am pretty sure I could do better. I mean please, it was painful.

How do you make a movie marketable? Well ask the Germans (distributions)! They always think of something, mostly connected to something that is popular at the time. Renaming this movie into "Hateful Ambush at ..." you immediately think, you have heard this somewhere before. Which you'd have at the end of 2015 and early 2016, because of Quentin Tarantinos eighth movie (Hateful Eight).

So the German distribution is looking for the quick money they can make, not considering, what the viewer or consumer might think. Not many will be happy let me tell you. But apart from that fact and it's impact on German viewers, what does the movie have to offer? Not that much action unfortunately and not too much quality either. While it does try to be different and a slow burner, it doesn't really achieve that either

So I saw this movie last fall at the Austin Film Festival when it was called "To Kill A Memory". They had a special showing. Kix Brooks was there with the Director and some of the Actors. In short, the film really surprised me. Not so much because they pulled off a cool movie on a small budget, but because the film wasn't your typical western. It was told as a flashback and really took you on a journey. After the festival, I wondered what had happened to it and was happy to see that it will be out as a limited theatrical in January. Their website also says it'll be out on DVD as a 2 disk set with the soundtrack CD included. The music in the film was awesome!! Kix Brooks talked about doing the music for the film at the festival. If you're a fan of country music, or great music in general.. you'll love this. Coincidentally, I reviewed another film the director did a few years ago called the Gundown. I liked it because they dared to try and make a movie on a shoestring, but this movie is a cut-a-bove it. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed. Great Cast, cool locations. The indi-film spirit is alive and well with this film.

The only reason I wanted to watch this movie was to see Sydney Penny. But she had only about five minutes in the whole thing. Disappointed.

This last sentence is to fill out the minimum character requirement.

This is a great movie, well scripted, well filmed, good acting and a damn good story. With the odd twist and turns. I'd watch it again sometime.

I find many of the low budget Westerns from the last decade are just downright unwatchable. This was an exception. Solid story, decent acting and pretty good characters. For sure worth a watch.

I live in Nashville Tn and work in the music business and we always laugh when someone refers to our genre as " Country and Western" - we prefer simply "Country". But with the lead character being skillfully portrayed by veteran Country Star, Kix Brooks and with a killer soundtrack featuring Kix, Randy Houser ( who also appears briefly in the film) and the angelic voice of singer / songwriter Leslie Satcher... I gotta say I'm rethinking Calling it Country and Westerns! Although this was a low budget film, it was really entertaining. Well cast, well directed and full of great performances- it is a really commendable effort from all involved- with extra kudos going to the lead character Duke Donovan - played by Kix Brooks.

There is a great twist in the plot and I found it thoroughly entertaining from start to finish!!

Check it out, it's a great watch and if you like Westerns - then you'll really love it! Here's hoping for another installment of Duke Donovan in the future!

Ambush at Dark Canyon is a movie that kept my interest due to the story telling concept. Set in the Southwest , Duke Donovan seeks revenge and brings us into the Canyon with authentic depictions of how it was to live in the time period. It was also entertaining in the sense that it brought me back to the classic westerns with horseback riding, gun fights in mountain side boulders along with very well place thought provoking music. I thought the movie was very well written and it made me to feel like I was among the characters riding in the southwest desert. Whether your into western movies or not; I definitely recommend to watch Ambush at Dark Canyon!

Thought it was a gaga spaghetti job but it was better than that and held interest all the way through. Good stuff.

This isn't just your run-of-the-mill "shoot 'em up Western", although the sets, costumes, and gunfight scenes are all extremely well done and authentic. It's also a story with heart.

I personally feel that the measure of art in any form, whether a song, book, movie, etc., is its ability to move me. Inspire. 'Ambush at Dark Canyon' did both.

I laughed (mostly at William Shockley's portrayal of the cantankerous Cage Dalton, lol). I cried…oh, how I cried. And I rooted for Duke Donovan (played by country music star Kix Brooks), and shared in his triumph when justice was finally served.

This DVD/CD combo really is an exceptional deal, as the soundtrack is superb. I've listened to it multiple times already, and I only bought it yesterday, lol. My favorite songs are the title track, "High in the Saddle" sung by Randy Houser, "Other Side" sung by Kix Brooks, and "I Can't Wait" sung by Rafe Van Hoy. ALL the songs are great, though, and really give the film an added richness and depth.

Fantastic movie, and one I'll enjoy watching over and over again for years to come.

I bought my copy on the day it was released and got to watch it last night. I cannot believe all this talent in one amazing package. I give it 5 stars +. I am glad you guys gave us the best of both. I was simply blown away by Kix Brooks. He rocked it in every way, shape, and form. I especially liked Ronnie Blevins character as well. The soundtrack that Kix Brooks and Randy Houser did was so incredible and very well done. William Shockley does an excellent job in doing his character as well. I am a huge fan of his. I am so proud of all involved with Team Two Entertainment. Keep up the good work and make some more films for us your fans to enjoy. I too enjoyed it from start to finish.