I was looking for something with a Civil War setting. I was amazed that the film covered so much of Bleeding Kansas" and the role of bushwhackets, jayhawks, and farm folks attempting to survive the brutality.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Director Ang Lee follows up the critically acclaimed THE ICE STORM with this look at the bloody, intense conflict between the pro-Confederate Bushwackers and the pro-Union Jayhawkers in Missouri during the Civil War. Pitting neighbor against neighbor, the war in the frontier state tested personal loyalties and often created strange alliances. The film, based on Daniel Woodrell's book WOE TO LIVE ON, follows the conflict through the eyes of two outsiders: a German immigrant's son (Tobey Maguire) and a free black man (Jeffrey Wright), both of whom fight for the Bushwhackers even though they are looked down upon by their fellow guerrillas. The acting is strong all around, the setting realistically grim and absorbing, and Frederick Elmes's photography is, as always, top-notch. Pop singer Jewel appears onscreen for the first time, playing a plucky Southern woman. A nuanced examination of the bonds of obligation, RIDE WITH THE DEVIL anticipates Lee's high-flying CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, both in theme and in pulse-pounding action. The film contains many standout action sequences, including a historically accurate re-creation of William Quantrill's infamous raid on Lawrence, Kansas.Read full review
Tobey McGuire,more recently known for his Spiderman films,is cast as a (what???) Civil War guerrilla who joins William Clark Quantrill in his famous/infamous raid on Lawrence,Kansas,and very nearly is killed himself for refusing to kill a family who help him and his friends,marries the widow and single mom of a friend and goes on the run,pursued by federal troops as well as former guerillas,as he struggles to begin a normal life during the last days of the war. Is it good,bad,indifferent? I'd say it was interesting,but I dont see McGuire as a rebel soldier.But Audie Murphy played Jesse James who for a time rode with the aforenamed rebel leader,so why not Spidey?
I can't tell you how many times I have watched this movie. Civil War movies like this one are hard to come by. The actors make you care about their characters. The director did a fantastic job of making this movie realistic. When the guns were fired, they sounded like you were right there with them! Tobey Macguire was fantastic in the lead role. He was real! And as Jake's nemesis, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, really out did himself! The lines in this movies were brilliant and to many people a Civil War movie couldn't be brilliant, but if you really watch this one - you will feel it. A love story entangled in the life of young boys trying hard to be men in a uncertain world. There are absolutely no boring parts in this movie!!!!
This movie had more to offer besides war. It had family. A very difficult time period those 2 states who had mixed feelings about the war, slavery. Confederate soldiers had some help with food ect; By southern families. Some throughout the winter........
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is an authentic movie showing the way it was during the war, not just in the midwest but in many border areas during the war and even in various areas in the Southern States. The movie has several inner plots going and is entertaining, sad at times, and funny at other times. A different take on the differences and things in common both sides endured during this difficult time our nation went through. It has a touching ending and I recommend it as an addition to help understand what people go through in times like the movie portrays.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I loved the characters and the actors, the quirky yet engaging dialogue, the scenery, the score, and the story. It was great to have the re-enactors playing their part to the hilt, Tobey's long hair was a hoot. The one criticism I have is that, though the story itself was bloody enough, much of the costumery and scenery seemed too squeaky clean for what all was going on, and perhaps a few too many feathers in what appeared to be brand new hats. Perhaps there was a need to minimize the damage to clothing and appurtenances. Otherwise it is a movie I watch over and over, and I cannot watch the parting scene at the end without tearing up every time. Tom Waters
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I was not around during the Civil War, but from my studies, this movie seems to be a good representative. I was surprised that Tobey Maguire went from Spider Man to this kind of role. I enjoyed the movie.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Excellent movie .showed the other side of the fence in the civil war. Showed young teenagers growing up fast .but still holding family values and culture strong.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I love the study of the American Civil War. One type of item I collect are Civil War movies (amoung other things, of course). This is a very nice movie and one of the few about the war in the Western States. It shows how violent people were over the issue of State's Rights and Slavery, in particular. I have used only parts of this movie in teaching the Civil War to 8th grade students and have found it to have broadened their perspective of the fighting. Anyway, after a few years of renting it, I decided to purchase this movie.
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