Rating: 
Summary: Exceptional movie, but.....
Review: I lived in Wyoming, so couldn't wait to see it. I was thrilled to see it was inspired by a true story, only to find out that the true story happened in Germany, not Wyoming. And, Wyoming is beautiful as it is; too bad the producers made most of the out-door scenes in Canada. Other than those disappointments, I loved the film. I have watched it at least a dozen times. Bob Dylan's "Hear Them Bells" at the end credits was a perfect song for this movie. Too bad an English translation of the book from which this movie was inspired ("Michael Kohlhaas" by Heinrich von Kleist) is not available. I'd like to read the real true story
Rating:
Summary: The movie was HBO's best ever, incredible
Review: I really didn't know what to expect when I saw the movie, but after I watched I was in awe. This movie was a great history lesson as well as an inspirational film about the United States. I had no desire to ever go to Wyoming, but after seeing this film, I was packing my bags. This film should be nominated by the Oscars.....
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film, but Cusack's character is no hero.
Review: I take issue with many of the reviewers of this movie who claim that John Cusack's character was heroic in this movie. What he did was foolish, not heroic (and Cusack's character even admits this). Instead of pursuing legal recourse to its full extent, he gets tired of pursuing it, gives it up, and instead seeks his own recourse, which amounts to revenge for his wife's death. As a result many people are killed (I counted at least 10), and it seems all this happens simply to feed his ego. Sure, he stuck to his principles stubbornly, but a better result would have come from a stubborn reliance on the law.However, that's not to say that I disliked this movie. People do indeed do stupid things, and that's where most movie plots arise from. It is a great movie, well acted, and with a good quality script that's lacking in most movies these days. But the moral of the tale is surely not that principles matter more than anything (as some here seem to believe). The moral is that pride goeth before a fall, and that corrupt justice (and vigilante justice) is far worse than no justice. What the main character should have done was take back the horses, recondition them, and take the lawsuit as far as it would go, and keep lobbying for justice until justice was done. To give up on the law so quickly was idiocy. To then take the law into his own hands was the actions of a nutcase.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film, but Cusack's character is no hero.
Review: I take issue with many of the reviewers of this movie who claim that John Cusack's character was heroic in this movie. What he did was foolish, not heroic (and Cusack's character even admits this). Instead of pursuing legal recourse to its full extent, he gets tired of pursuing it, gives it up, and instead seeks his own recourse, which amounts to revenge for his wife's death. As a result many people are killed (I counted at least 10), and it seems all this happens simply to feed his ego. Sure, he stuck to his principles stubbornly, but a better result would have come from a stubborn reliance on the law. However, that's not to say that I disliked this movie. People do indeed do stupid things, and that's where most movie plots arise from. It is a great movie, well acted, and with a good quality script that's lacking in most movies these days. But the moral of the tale is surely not that principles matter more than anything (as some here seem to believe). The moral is that pride goeth before a fall, and that corrupt justice (and vigilante justice) is far worse than no justice. What the main character should have done was take back the horses, recondition them, and take the lawsuit as far as it would go, and keep lobbying for justice until justice was done. To give up on the law so quickly was idiocy. To then take the law into his own hands was the actions of a nutcase.
Rating:
Summary: The Jack Bull
Review: I've become rather disappointed in many of the recently released movies. Not because they aren't spectacular with lot's of special effects, etc, but because of a lack of substance regarding right and wrong. The Jack Bull was released in 1999 as an HBO film. The plot revolves around a man who treats people honestly and respectfully and believes in the law to uphold these virtues despite wealth, power and influence. He expects the same to apply to everyone. He encounters other men who are greedy, and dishonest.
Jack Bull follows John Cusack's character in an attempt to get justice when he is wronged.
The movie follows Cusack's pursuit of justice through honest means. When that fails, he takes the law into his own hands, eventually gaining retribution from the man responsible.
Without giving the plot away, Cusack also must face the consequences for his vigilantism and it's results. This is a movie where the hero is held accountable just as the villian is for the wrongs they have done.
The movie may be 4 or 5 years old, it may not have gotten it's well deserved attention when released. But, it is one of those thought provoking movies that stay with you. Well acted, thought provoking.
I'm happy with this purchase and believe many of those who may have missed The Jack Bull will also enjoy this superb movie.
John Row
Rating:
Summary: Justice In The Territory
Review: I've watched this movie countless times and each time i watch it, it moves me even more. Meryl Redding dies for the things in which he believes in. I love horses and I think the saddest part of this movie is the fact that with the condition that the two stallions were in there would be know way to get them back to the way they were before.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but Lacking
Review: If your looking for a realistic western than this is the best you can do. No epic bloodshed(as with spaghetti westerns)and no overly macho heroes(typical american westerns). This film is about and is based on a true story and its one of the only movies I know of that doesnt take its "artistic license" too far. This movie keeps its realistic edge while still managing to entertain. That being said, its also a sad movie that leaves you with an empty used feeling at the end. Watching a movie and feeling worse than you did when starting it is in my opinion the mark of a film that has too much of a downward slope. Anyways do not highly reccomend to anybody unless they want a realistic movie that will make you feel sad and used.
Rating:
Summary: Marvellous Western adaption of a German novel
Review: In 1810, the German writer Heinrich von Kleist published his novel "Michael Kohlhaas", the story of a horse trader, who wants justice with all, even illegal means - and who tragically fails. This great novel is a German classic. And so is "The Jack Bull": an instant Western classic. Father (screenplay) and son Cusack with director John Badham perfectly managed to transform this timeless struggle for justice into the prairie. The scenery is breathtaking, beautiful and harsh at once, the cast is great. Especially John Cusack delivers a fine performance (indeed, I would not have guessed he is able to stand as a Western hero, but this is his finest work until today), John Goodman and L.Q. Jones are a pleasure to watch. In the all-time ranking of great Westerns this one must be a favorite choice. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Marvellous Western adaption of a German novel
Review: In 1810, the German writer Heinrich von Kleist published his novel "Michael Kohlhaas", the story of a horse trader, who wants justice with all, even illegal means - and who tragically fails. This great novel is a German classic. And so is "The Jack Bull": an instant Western classic. Father (screenplay) and son Cusack with director John Badham perfectly managed to transform this timeless struggle for justice into the prairie. The scenery is breathtaking, beautiful and harsh at once, the cast is great. Especially John Cusack delivers a fine performance (indeed, I would not have guessed he is able to stand as a Western hero, but this is his finest work until today), John Goodman and L.Q. Jones are a pleasure to watch. In the all-time ranking of great Westerns this one must be a favorite choice. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Honor, Pride, Power & the Law
Review: In pre-Statehood Wyoming one local cattle and land baron is pretty free to do as he pleases, the closest local authority is a judge who is in his pocket. John Cusack plays a fairly successful horse raiser/trader who stumbles into the Statehood debate on the pro side, fairly irking LQ Jones, the landowning bigwig who knows Statehood will bring authorities who will reign in his ambitions. Jones gets his revenge by installing a toll gate charging exorbinent tolls to those he dislikes. Cusack finds himself on the list. Without the cash he leaves two prize horses while en route to a critical horse auction. On the return he finds his collateral purposely mistreated by Jones' thugs and his Native American hired man beat half to death. Without legal recourse thanks to local judicial corruption Cusack raises an army of revenge, paid for by the sale of his horse farm. They ride with the fury of a Mongol army and the ferocity of Sherman's March to the Sea to get payment back from Jones. As Statehood consideration nears, the Territorial Gov't wants this real life wild west show shut down. Through compromise and threat the case is finally hearded into a higher court where John Goodman, born for the role, sits as the Judge. The film could fall into numerous traps - good guy, bad guy, court and government vs. little guy, but it never stoops to cookie cutter devices and everything is a little more complicated then it first appears with personal morality and motivation falling into grey area. Entertaining and interesting throughout, the final scene, with appropriate soundtrack, is simply great American film-making. You hardly need to be a "Westerns" fan to enjoy this movie. I can't vouch for the accuracy of the history (it based on a true story we're told) but I can vouch for the greatness of the film.
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