User reviews

"Showdown In Yesteryear" is an all around EPIC Western / fantasy / comedy from producer Tim O'Hearn and director, Aaron Bratcher!

Like previous reviewers, I too caught this one at Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival (2022), and was, like most of those in the audience, on the edge of my seat. Thrills, spills, and all around captivating performances from the entire cast; Debra Lamb, Jesse Marciniak, M. K. Smith, Tim O'Hearn, as well as The Road Warrior's Vernon Wells. However, I will single out especially lead actor, Jeff Grennell for going above and beyond in his role of Daryl Dumwoody. Grennell threads a fine needle from comedic milksop, to eventual, hardened, heroic do-gooder.

My sincerest praise goes out to everyone involved in this one.

If you have the chance, please check it out- you won't be sorry.

Caught the World Premiere for "Showdown In Yesteryear" during block 7 of Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival in August 2022. The filmmakers delivered an engaging, fun, classic Western delight! The music by Brandon Hawley was majestic, perhaps one of the most rousing and well integrated into a film that I've seen in many years! The characters well drawn, and I especially enjoyed the performances by Vernon Wells as Orson Kane, and Jeff Grennell as Daryl Dumwoody. The cinematography was absolutely gorgeous, catching the old West perfectly. This film was an expansion on a terrific short from a few years ago "The Door", and expertly grew from its interesting premise. The writing & story overall was superb, and special kudos to Gregory Lamberson and Tim O'Hearn for that. Let's not forget Aaron Bratcher's crisp direction, that also allowed scenes room to breathe. Our audience was completely captivated, and appreciated many of the nods/easter eggs too. Tip of the cowboy hat to ALL involved 👏

Saw the movie at the Buffalo Dreams Festival in August 2022. Loved the story, I saw the short version, ' The Door ' a couple of years ago at the same Festival and the wait for the full length film was well worth it..Greg Lamberson wrote a really believable script, held your interest the whole way,and Aaron Bratcher did the directing like the pro.he is. Casting was spot on, acting was great , each character fit their role perfectly. The fight scenes were well choreographed, I thought Jeff Grennell stole the show as the bumbling cowboy, Daryl Dumwoody, he reminded me of Don Knotts at his best.! But he turned out to be the hero and found his happiness in life after being miserable before finding the door. He needed a lot of practice firing a gun !! Vernon Wells as Orson Kane was excellent, great fit. .Debra Lamb was Daryl's perfect love interest .The location was actually a cowboy town, amazing. All in all a movie worth seeing.

I saw this movie at a hometown screening in Gouverneur, NY to be quite enjoyable. It starts out with an old timer that is down and out on his luck. He yearns for the old westerns that John Wayne was featured in. He loses his girlfriend and then his job which brings him to a field where he contemplates suicide. Out of nowhere, he finds a door that seems to lead nowhere. Once entering the door, it transports him to the old west where he eventually finds common interests and meaning with the locals. He too then finds a purpose there that eventually transforms him to become the hero. Highly recommended.

Truly, an Enjoyable film that I never tire of watching!

An Exciting storyline, with Great characters, Brilliant casting & some FINE to EXCELLENT acting.

An inspired location!

Filmed at Dogwood Pass in Beaver, Ohio. A creation of love for the old west, built by Mike & Sharlene Montgomery, who also appear in the film. This is a reproduction of an old west mining town that transports one back to the 1870/1880's and was an Exceptional choice for this movie. A Must visit if you are ever in the area.

The Best part, I was blessed by getting to visit while shooting was in progress. Some of these wonderfully, talented people are actually my friends.

I Highly recommend this film!

There are very few movies that have grabbed me like that one has. This is something I will be viewing over and over again.

The story line speaks to our many facets of life. It stirs the soul. You can't suppress the empathy, as your being drawn increasingly deeper into the character's perspective.

I found this film to deliver an extremely unique and well balanced, mixed genre, that creates a phenomenal viewer experience. Quite simply stated, you must see it to appreciate the full effect of what has been created.

I can't begin to imagine how it could have been made any better.

We can always hope there's a sequel!

This movie kept me interested the whole time. It streamed smoothly throughout the entire movie. I laughed at several scenes and knew many people who would definitely relate to this character. Jeff Grennell was fantastic in this movie. He was so versatile and believable. I could definitely feel what he was feeling. The landscape of the picture was breathtaking and seemed so realistic of what it may have been like back then. The "door" threw me off, only wishing there were really doors out there like that. I suggested to several friends to watch this movie and guaranteed them they will love it! I watched this movie from my home but would have loved to watch it at the movies to hear all the laughter and remarks afterwards.

This film was beautifully shot in an authentic looking locale, the characters were superbly cast from the sheriff to the local land baron, the bad guys, and even the townspeople - all spot on! The underlying musical score accentuated the action perfectly. Even the theme song by Tim Ruffo is top shelf! But those three elements alone can't carry a film. The true star of this fantasy western is the story and screenplay. The director and team did a masterful job of melding all these elements together into a nice tidy package! Kudos to Producer Tim O'Hearn and his vision! Can't wait to see what these guys come up with next!

So much to like about this movie! I was hooked in the first few minutes. Jeff Grennell does a fantastic job as the lead, delivering a nuanced and surprisingly moving performance (only surprising because I wasn't expecting to FEEL so much while watching an indie Western). I enjoyed that it's a fresh take on the "someone accidentally went back in time to the Wild West" theme, specifically the way you're pulled into Daryl's character and his spiralling situation before it happens. Jesse Marciniak and Vernon Wells make great dual villains. There are no clunkers in the cast. And seriously, the cinematography is just awesome - the closeups are really well done. Good writing, good acting, totally worth a watch for Western fans.

One of the best westerns I've seen ! Watched it many times and still totally entertaining!! The story line is great. Premise is great. Very small gaps in the action so your always waiting to see what happens next . The actors are exceptional. No real moral to the movie except that when your at the end of your rope ( literally ) theres another path that can take you to another place. Showdown in yesteryear the movie or ( screen play The Door) is defiantly added to my western collection library and a total must watch. I will be awaiting the next big feature film from director, actor, producer, Tim Ohearn.

It seems that most westerns are just all the same kinda shoot them up cowboy... But showdown of yesteryear is not like that... It's unique, full of heart and love with an intriguing, storyline, a fantasy that envelops you from the very beginning all the way to the end... It was a fun ride... Jeff Grennell and Debra Lamb were wonderful together. I recommend it for the entire family. I loved it so much that I not only watched it myself, but I shared it with two other people, and encouraged many many more to watch it... You won't be disappointed if you see this film... The writing was excellent. All of the Actors did an outstanding job portraying their characters. It was so refreshing to see a western with such a different storyline... It was a wonderful fantasy... I watched it several more times since... I hope this movie gets the recognition it deserves... A true must see! Congrats to Tim O'Hearn who was the originator of the story and one of the writers... Bravo.