Ride with the Devil (1999)

Southern guerrillas along the Missouri/Kansas border

Released in 1999 "Ride with the Devil" is a Civil War tale focusing on Southern guerrilla fighters known as Bushwhackers, mostly young men who stage daring raids on Union forces and communities along the Missouri/Kansas border. The story includes Quantrill's infamous 1963 raid on Lawrence, Kansas, which he burned & pillaged and murdered over 150 unarmed men, women and children.

The story shines the spotlight on the son of a German immigrant (Tobey Maguire aka Spider-man), a beautiful woman (Jewel) and an ex-slave (Jeffrey Wright), all of whom take up the Southern cause. I enjoyed how Tobey and Wright slowly develop a close friendship, as well as Wright's growing sense of freedom as the story progresses. Jewel makes an impressive acting debut and should do more films, she's a natural.

One reviewer erroneously stated that the film ran 3 hours so I was surprised when the credits started rolling at the 2 hour and 13 minute mark. In fact, I was disappointed because I wanted the story to continue; this is a sign of a good film. The story takes its time and gradually pulls you in.

Before viewing "Ride with the Devil" I caught the new Indiana Jones flick "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." The contrast couldn't be more different -- "Crystal Skull" is essentially a 2-hour Road Runner cartoon, whereas "Ride" is a totally realistic drama/Western. Although I enjoyed "Crystal Skull" for what it is, it can't be taken serious for even a second, not to mention they overdid it with the over-the-top action and fake cgi location enhancements & props (cliffs, waterfalls, jungles, monkeys, etc.). "Ride with the Devil" is the perfect antidote to such looney-toon drivel. It's totally realistic and takes its time so you get to know the characters and FEEL their experiences. For instance, what's it like spending the entire Winter in a dugout hut in the woods with three other guys and the only highlight is some cute blond stopping by to drop off food? What's it like when you have no other recourse but to saw a buddy's arm off? What's it like when a blood-thirsty "comrade" tries to kill you during battle? What do you do when you run into him two years later and you're not sure what his intentions are?

The film was shot in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas where the conflicts actually took place. Authentic locations are vital to this viewer. After all, how are we to accept the film's visualization of history if it wasn't shot where the actual events occurred?

I encourage you to view the film with the subtitles on as the language is sometimes hard to understand due to accents and archaic phrasing; this will help you follow what's going on and who's who.

FINAL ANALYSIS: "Ride with the Devil" is reminiscent in quality & style of films like "Cold Mountain," "Pharoah's Army" and "The Long Riders." If you appreciate those films you'll enjoy "Ride." It's leagues better than the generally aloof and soporific "Gettysburg." It's a class 'A' picture which brings to life Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, including what leads up to it and what follows -- how can you go wrong?

The dvd includes Jewel's music video for the song "What's Simple is True."

PERSONAL GRADE: A- or B+ November 17, 2008

Good Civil War Drama

I thought this was a good film and I liked that it explored the hardships and difficulties faced by milita men. I don't think I've seen that in a film about the Civil War. Usually Hollywood makes glamorous depictions of this time in history with handsome leading men and not-a-hair-out-of-place-and no-mascara-running leading women. The actors in this film felt more relatable because they looked like real people. Australian Simon Baker, for one, was completely unrecognizable in this film. Tobey Maguire's boy-man appearance, I thought, was completely shed with the long hair and five o'clock shadow. It's kind of a subtle change to his appearance but it brought out something in him that, at times, I couldn't see the Tobey Maguire I've gotten accustomed to seeing in the Spider-man movies. There was a world-weary quality to his performance, and he seemed more like a man than anything I've seen him in. I also liked the parallels between Maguire's character, Jake Roedel, and Jeffrey Wright's, Daniel Holt. I like that even within the midst of so much bloodshed director Ang Lee allowed moments of humanity. I enjoyed the scene when Roedel reads a letter to Holt and then asks Holt about his mother. In this moment, you can see that Roedel begins to see Holt as a human being and the men begin to establish a bond. I also thought Jewel's performance was good. She's very natural. I had read that Universal did not promote this film very well at the time it was in theaters, and that's really a shame. September 23, 2008

Tobey Maguire never better, plus great supporting cast

Forget Spider-Man. Yeah, different genre, different period. Maguire gives us an outstanding performance as Jake Roedel, a bushwhacking marauder wreaking havoc on the Union Army during the Civil War. Skeet Ulrich as Jack Bull Chiles, Simon Baker as George Clyde and Jeffrey Wright as Daniel Holt are his close associates during most of the ride. With Jonathan Rhys Myers as Roedel's ally/nemesis, Pitt Mackerson; presenting a racist and very convincing neanderthal who just feeds on killing people.

I won't go over the plot, which has been done for many reviews. But I must say that Jeffrey Wright gives an absolutely great performance in his role as George Clyde's sidekick/freed slave ("George Clyde's ni**er - what he was called in the movie) and then Jake Roedel's "riding buddy" (for want of a more descriptive term) to the end of the movie.

Special note to Jim Caviezel as Black John, a psychopath killer and leader of men. Mostly bent on revenge for the deaths of women he knew. Remarkable and amazing performance by Jewel as Sue Lee Shelley, the twice widowed wife, and mother of Jack Bull Chiles baby. She comes across as demure, honest, low-keyed but still self-confident. Truly s surprise casting and very credible performance.

Good detail of story line regarding the infamous Quantrill's Raiders. The ending scene with Daniel Holt and Jake Roedel was the most moving of the many moving scenes (as should be). Kudos to the composer of the ending music and the editor, plus ending theme by Jewel. August 18, 2008

An Entertainment Treasure

Beautiful cinematography; excitement, romance, history; a first rate piece of entertainment. What else do we need? Popcorn! I've read some
reviews for this film that were dead-on what this movie is about (like
Lawrance from Deluth, MN--the best). I won't even try to go there.
But I will tell you I liked it so much I'm going to buy it and watch it many times over; reccommend it to my friends and family. Ride With the
Devil is what going to the movies is all about. August 5, 2008

Ang Lee's foray into the West

I was unsure about purchasing RIDE WITH THE DEVIL since I'm not a huge fan of the western genre, but was ultimately won over by the positive feedback it received by fellow Amazonian reviewers.

RWTD isn't a western per se, more of a Civil War docudrama. Being a history buff, I'm always interested in the various interpretations others place on our country's darkest hour (especially those not born in the States). The Border Wars between the Jayhawkers and Bushwhackers were not granted major coverage (during or post Civil War), but the ramifications were just as strong as the battles of Gettysburg, Shiloh, etc. because neighbor vs. neighbor, brother vs. brother, or father vs. son squared off.

I was very impressed at the breadth of emotions the actors conveyed in director Lee's film. Tobey Maguire was a marvel to me (having not really appreciated any of his work, including the SPIDER-MAN trilogy). He's a boy having to do a man's work-a frightful thing in any world. Someone gave Skeet Ulrich (of SCREAM fame) a shot of acting serum, because his portrayal of Jack Bull Chiles was subtle, nuanced, and perfectly suited to the pacing of the film. Jewel's feature film debut was strong-nothing spectacular. The one caveat I have with her is that snaggletooth; it is a distraction when she speaks.

An actor whose work I never question is Jeffrey Wright's. His Daniel Holt is tortured, burdened, but silently strong and empathetic. For another strong Wright performance view him as Dr. MLK, Jr. in the KING miniseries. Jonathan Brandis (from LADYBUGS) is unrecognizable as Cave Wyatt, and imbues the character with the proper sense of gravitas. James "Jim" Caviezel shines as Black John, and Mark Ruffalo's turn as Alf Bowden is brief but memorable.

A showstopper (and scene-stealer) is Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Pitt Mackerson. Showcasing a fine "Missoura" drawl, he's a menace, a threat to humanity, a bloodthirsty savage hell-bent on death and destruction, yet, he's a charmer, and the viewer can't take their eyes off of him. It would have been a treat to see him featured more in this film. His determination on suicide by heading into Newport "cause they got drinks there" is powerful. I'd like to take an Amazonian poll to see who would NOT have shot that pretty head off though after he shot Tobey Maguire's Jake Roedel.

A 4 star effort by Lee (the musical score-especially the banjo-could've been much stronger). Judge RIDE WITH THE DEVIL for yourselves.
July 15, 2008

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