Hannah's Law

Name: Hannah's Law
Genre: Small Town, Pet, Brief Acquaintances
Released: 2012-01-01
Duration: 1 h 28 min
Rating: 5.4
Cast: Sara Canning, John Pyper-Ferguson, Greyston Holt, Ryan Kennedy, Billy Zane

5.4/10 · 639 ratings20121h 28mWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

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The premise

A bounty Hunter seeks revenge for the murder of her family and prepares for a showdown with the powerful gang leader responsible for the slayings. She calls on old friends to stand with her in the fight.

Themes:Revenge vs. Justice Found family The burden of the past Moral integrity in a lawless land

How unusual is it?

Mostly classic comfort-watch, give or take a historical setting.

A rare specific

Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.

Bounty Hunter as the lead1 of only 2

Who’s in it

Our Girl

Sara Canning

as Hannah Beaumont

Our Guy

Greyston Holt

as Wyatt Earp

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Rachel Talalay

Written by

John Fasano

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

The film is a gritty Western revenge story featuring a high body count, which is very rare for Hallmark.
It uses historical figures like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday as supporting characters in a fictional narrative.
Wyatt Earp has a bizarre monologue about wanting to use his Marshal salary to buy a train full of elephants and peanuts.
The ending is a cliffhanger about a long-lost brother turned outlaw rather than a traditional romantic resolution.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 19 to find more movies that do the same thing.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)

The film opens with a flashback to Hannah Beaumont's childhood, where she hides in a barn while Frank McMurphy and his gang murder her parents and burn their home. In the present day, Hannah has become a formidable bounty hunter in Dodge City, known for her strict code of bringing fugitives in alive. She maintains a close friendship with the local deputy, Wyatt Earp, who is clearly infatuated with her, and the cynical, card-playing Doc Holliday. Her life is complicated when her mentor and father figure, Isom Dart, becomes a wanted man for a crime he didn't commit. Meanwhile, a rival bounty hunter named Stitch arrives in town, looking to kill Dart for the reward. The tension escalates when Hannah learns that Frank McMurphy is coming to Dodge City to eliminate her after she successfully captured several of his gang members. The town's powerful boss, Lockwood, tries to bribe Hannah to leave to avoid a bloodbath, but she refuses. Wyatt is ordered out of town on a staged mission by the corrupt Marshal Deger, leaving Hannah to face McMurphy's twelve-man gang with only the help of her friend Mary and eventually a returning Wyatt and Doc. During a brutal street battle, Isom Dart returns to help Hannah but is tragically killed. The climax takes place in a church where McMurphy holds children hostage. Hannah confronts him, and in his final moments, McMurphy reveals a shocking secret: her brother Caleb wasn't killed in the original raid but was taken and raised as an outlaw. The movie ends with Wyatt being promoted to City Marshal and Hannah deciding to leave Dodge City to track down her long-lost brother, while Doc Holliday departs for a town called Tombstone.

Beat by beat

Opening
A flashback reveals Hannah's parents were murdered and her home burned by Frank McMurphy's gang while she hid.
Midpoint
Hannah's mentor, Isom Dart, is framed for murder, and the ruthless bounty hunter Stitch arrives to hunt him down.
Rising Action
Hannah learns that Frank McMurphy is riding to Dodge City with a new gang specifically to kill her.
Climax
A massive shootout occurs in the streets of Dodge City; Isom Dart is killed while protecting Hannah.
Climax
Hannah corners McMurphy in a church; before he dies, he reveals her brother Caleb is still alive.
Resolution
Wyatt Earp becomes City Marshal, and Hannah sets off to find her brother, refusing a quiet life.

19 tropes in one movie

We counted 19 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

The backstory

Hannah's Law is a 2012 American/Canadian Western television film from the Hallmark Movie Channel. The movie stars Cameron Bancroft, Sara Canning, John Pyper-Ferguson, and Julian Black Antelope.

From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Hannah's Law belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOThe story travels to another countryThe leads laugh at the same momentA cute dog or catA wanted man is framed for a crimeA card playing Doc Holliday turns upSomeone apologises and means itThe love interest is a police officerA warm hug that lingersA toast at a celebrationA meaningful look held a beat too longPlans get derailed by the weatherA period piece set in the past★A wise elder dispenses adviceA nervous voicemail goes unsentA calendar reminder raises the stakesA young Wyatt Earp serves as deputySparks fly the moment they meetThe town pulls together for one of its ownThe town boss tries to buy someone offA heart-to-heart on a porch or benchA hunter insists on bringing fugitives in aliveA change of heart by the final actSomeone’s guard finally comes downSomething magical or supernatural happens

Hallmark Bingo

Your Hannah's Law card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

“Hannah Beaumont always brings them in alive.”
— Wyatt EarpDiscussing Hannah's reputation at the jail.
“Justice ain't mine to give.”
— Hannah BeaumontExplaining why she doesn't kill the men she hunts.
“I'm only gonna say this once! Get to fighting, or get to running.”
— Wyatt EarpAddressing the townspeople during the final shootout.
“We took him, and we raised him up real good, to be a real good outlaw like me.”
— Frank McMurphyRevealing the truth about Hannah's brother Caleb.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

Hannah Beaumont
Lead
Bounty Hunter
DeterminedSkilled marksmanTraumatizedPrincipled
Wyatt Earp
Love interest
Deputy / Marshal
Romantic interest and ally
HonestAmbitiousProtectiveDreamer
Frank McMurphy
Antagonist
Outlaw Leader
Murderer of her family
CruelRemorselessManipulative
Doc Holliday
Supporting
Gambler / Dentist
Friend and mentor figure
CynicalLoyalWitty
Isom Dart
Supporting
Bounty Hunter
Adoptive father and trainer
WiseFatherlyRugged