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| Posted: Sat Jan 26th, 2008 11:10 pm |
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1st Post |
JoanieReb
Member
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I've finally gotten around to watching Ang Lee's Ride with the Devil, released in 1999, I think.
It centers around fighting between bushwackers and jayhawkers in Missouri, focusing especially upon two unlikely bushwhackers - a freed slave and a young man of german descent. Quantrill makes an appearence.
I was so taken with the film I went out and bought the DVD.
The Pitt Mackerson character especially interests me. He seemed just a stereotypical character until near the end, when he has his final exchange with Jake and Holt.
I guess no element in an Ang Lee film can simply remain "stereotypical".
So, it's an older film, but I see it has never been discussed here at CWi, and wondered if anyone other than me has seen it and has an opinion - or if anyone might want to add it to their Netflix list.
Last edited on Sat Jan 26th, 2008 11:11 pm by JoanieReb
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 12:32 am |
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2nd Post |
javal1
Grumpy Geezer
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Joanie,
I've alway's said "Ride" was the best Civil War-era film made. I still think so. Glad you enjoyed it too.
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 12:36 am |
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3rd Post |
susansweet
Member
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I saw Ride the first time in a class on the Civil War I took in Adult Education at the high school here . I liked it that day. Later it was shared at a discussion of Civil War Films. I went out after that and bought it. It is one of my favorites. My favorite is one called Wicked Spring.
susan
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 01:00 am |
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4th Post |
Basecat
Member
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JoanieReb,
Actually saw it in a movie theater in NYC, and as Javal posted, one of the best CW movies ever made. Based on a novel by Daniel Woodrell.."Woe to Live On". Book came out in 1987.
Regards from the Garden State,
Basecat
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 01:16 am |
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5th Post |
JoanieReb
Member
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Miss Susan,
I am glad that you saw "Wicked Spring".
While I did not work on that film in any capacity, I have worked, in minor capacities, to be sure, with the people whom produced it, and have more than a few friends involved with it, on-and-off-camera. I am happy to see that "Wicked Spring" can be rented at Blockbuster.
I am still wondering what happened to "No Retreat from Destiny", a film about Monocacy, that was produced by many of the same people. I did work, in a small capacity, on that one, but it became so financially bogged down that I just collected my paycheck and let it go. Do You know anything of NRfD's reaching the public?
Thank You,
JoanieReb
Last edited on Sun Jan 27th, 2008 08:53 am by JoanieReb
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 01:20 am |
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6th Post |
susansweet
Member
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It was released for sale. I didn't buy it as I didn't have the money at the time. If you check the website it was listed at one time. Website is the one for the film company which I don't remember right now.
Susan
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 01:32 am |
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7th Post |
JoanieReb
Member
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Based on a novel by Daniel Woodrell.."Woe to Live On". Book came out in 1987.
Thank you so much for this piece of information, Basecat.
I have been trying to find novels to read that hold my attention all the way through, and am falling short these days. This one just may do it! I shall check it out from the library tomorrow.
JoanieReb
(PS, Pvt. Clewell and Ole - please note that there is a wonderful race being televised on The Speed Channel tonight, and I am actually taking breaks it it to indulge my CW Jones!)
Last edited on Sun Jan 27th, 2008 08:52 am by JoanieReb
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 02:06 am |
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8th Post |
Doc C
Member
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Viewed Wicked Spring last weekend, agree with Susan as it's the best cw film I've seen thus far. Almost lost it when the federal soldier was reading/writing the letters for the confederate soldier. Saw Let Their Be Blood today. In my opinion, it stands up to all the hype. Great film about the early wildcatters. However, I can see how some will come away thinking what's the big deal. D. D. Lewis should garnish the oscar with his performance but midway through the movie I thought that if I closed my eyes it was Sean Connery talking.
Doc C
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 02:12 am |
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9th Post |
BigPowell
Member
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JoanieReb,
I, too, share you enthusiasm for Ride With The Devil. When I first saw it, it immediately made my top ten movie list! For me, it's a very transcendental movie, I am totally transported back in time and become immersed in it! The Western Theater, and the "irregular" units that fought so much of the action out there, are a big part of my familys' history. To finally see this side of the war told without all of the Politically Correct dogma (the Bushwackers were racist terrorists, etc.) was very refreshing, and very reaffirming to the memory of my ancestors.
I know that lately, there has been a growing interest among CW buffs with Wicked Spring. I don't quite feel that way, myself. It's an amusing little tale, much in the style of Ambrose Bierce (I think that's his name). As a matter of fact, the same production company did a version of his old classic, the one they made a twilight zone episode out of, what's it called, "incident at owl creek bridge"?
I also know a lot of the people associated with that production company. I hate to say it, but to me it seems that the sum of their talents is less, etc., etc. Too much ego and booze at high levels involved, diminishing from what could otherwise be sound productions. I, along with many others, (including the as-yet-unpaid cast members), waited for the release of No Retreat From Destiny. And now that it's finally available, I can't bring myself to watch it, for fear of massive disappointment. Foolish on my part, perhaps, but Early's little trip that found the gates of Washington open and unguarded is one of those crucial moments in our history, and I would be crushed to see it presented poorly.
Anyway...Ride With The Devil...hell, yes! And truly profesionally done, unlike so many of the promising but messily produced lower-level films such as we have discussed above.
And Jewel is just so darned cute!!!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 02:21 am |
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10th Post |
JoanieReb
Member
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BP,
Perhaps we tripped over each other at the filming of NRfD?
My business partner had a notable on-screen role in it, and still has not even recieved his "complimentary copy", much less his pay. I wrote my pay off on my tax return as a business loss that year.
JoanieReb
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 04:24 am |
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 05:18 am |
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12th Post |
ole
Member
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Have "Wicked Spring," saw "Ride with the Devil." Didn't much care for either. But then, I'm not known for my taste in movies. Must be the ADD.
ole
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 06:57 am |
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13th Post |
BigPowell
Member
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Hey, JoanieReb -
So, you were at the Monocacy shoot, and your name is Joanie? Are you by any chance the tall, slender red-head that hung with the North Carolinians, and was always showing pictures of your daughter? All the guys fell in love with you! I myself was one of them - Ma'am, you are some woman! I had thought that I was a mature man who knew how to handle himself around the fairer sex, but you reduced me to a stuttering, blushing schoolboy with just one smile! That hadn't happened to me in a long time! And I wasn't the only one, you cut a wide swath thru the field!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 03:42 pm |
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14th Post |
Bama46
Guest
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All,
I think it is mildly hilarious that a film released in 1999 can be considered by Joanie to be "an older film"...
to me an older film is anything released in the '30's..
Ed
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 09:47 pm |
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15th Post |
JoanieReb
Member
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Big Powell,
Well, I don't know if 5'7" is tall, and don't know for sure if that was me, but I sure am going to pretend it was, because I do love me some sweet-talking,  ! And, ain't my little girl a beauty? And, don't the North Carolina gents have the best moonshine?
So, Blush, blush, and thankee, Sir.
An Incident (Occurance?)at Owl Creek Bridge was done by many of the same people, but not the same company. As I understand it, there was a BIG boo-boo: after they made the film, they discovered that they had forgotten to clear the copyright for Ambrose Bierce's IaOCB. So, it showed one night, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, then disappeared forever....
Ah, gossip!
"Have "Wicked Spring," saw "Ride with the Devil." Didn't much care for either. But then, I'm not known for my taste in movies.
Have you considered giving Dale a try? (Sorry, Ole: I just couldn't help myself!)
to me an older film is anything released in the '30's..
Naw, that's not older, just plain old. At least, where films are concerned.
Now, back to Ride with the Devil...
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28th, 2008 02:10 am |
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16th Post |
JoanieReb
Member
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I am curious, Ole,
What about Ride with the Devil didn't work for you? I have heard so many positive things about it, it will be interesting and informative to have a negative critique from someone that I respect.
Thank You!
Last edited on Mon Jan 28th, 2008 02:11 am by JoanieReb
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28th, 2008 04:58 am |
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17th Post |
| Posted: Mon Jan 28th, 2008 05:11 am |
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18th Post |
JoanieReb
Member
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But, the sex that was in it was just plain funny. Jewel sticking her rear-end in her beau's face and asking him if it looked like an animal that went hee-haw in the night, or something like that... I mean, how often do you get that sort of love-scene?
Anyway, now that I know what you look for in film, I guess you really wouldn't like Dale....
Last edited on Mon Jan 28th, 2008 05:24 am by JoanieReb
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ks
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Joanie,
I too thought Ride With the Devil was a wonderful film and very true to the Woodrell book. Seeing the reference to Jewell, I've read that Ang Lee had Woodrell's description of Sue Lee (down to the quirky tooth) in mind when she was cast. I dreaded seeing her in the role, not knowing if she could act. But I thought she did a fine job.
Interesting aside, at the time the movie was being filmed my 3 children and I were VIPs (Volunteers In the Parks) at Fort Scott National Historic Site at Fort Scott, KS. We were dressed out for a Bleeding Kansas weekend at the fort and a group of the actors in the film became aware of the event. Wanting to learn more about the conflict and having a break in filming, they came to the fort dressed in their guerilla gear from the film. Certainly an odd moment to be in a scene where townspeople are surrounded by vigilante types and then have the guerrillas from the film there as spectators. They did add some color to the event. 
RWTD, my favorite CW-era film...IMO Ang Lee got it right.
Best regards.
Pat
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Doc C
Member
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KS
RWTD was a good film, with excellent performances. Can't say that it was my favorite even though my list of films in this specific genre isn't very long. Seeing this topic and having recently joined Netflix, has peeked my interest for more. Any suggestions from the board? Haven't seen either of the 2 Red Badge of Courage, especially the one with Murphy, in years. Planning on revisiting them both. Just recently reread it. It's amazing how time, hopefully for the good, allows one to see literature in a different light.
Doc CLast edited on Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 08:33 pm by Doc C
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