Rating: 
Summary: Enjoy the ride
Review: Is it possible to feel empathy for participants of the raid on Lawrence,Kansas? Ang Lee has crafted a story that allows us to do just that. Fine acting, pacing the movie with the characters' growth like the seasons paced the battles, is a hallmark of this excellent film. Nothing is as one would anticipate it, when the movie starts.
Rating: 
Summary: Ride With The Devil
Review: I had waited for almost two years to see this movie. I had heard of the use of the Flooded out Town of Pattonsburg MO being used as the Scenes for Lawrence and wanted to see the movie. I was very impressed with the movie. Missouri and Kansas were torn by Northern and Southern values. The war back East was more black and white (or Blue and Grey). Growing up with Stories of Jesse & Frank James, the Youngers, and Quantrell, it was easy for me to watch this movie and believe most of it. For once, the true landscapes of Missouri were used, and not Texas or some Flat place out West (the LONG RIDERS too used scenery from this area). I felt this was a movie of a portion of the War Between The States that needed to be made. Acting was excellent, not being a Jewel fan before, I may now be one.
Rating:
Summary: Jewel Shines
Review: Upcoming actors Skeet Ulrich (The Craft) and Tobey Maguire (Pleasantville) give strong performances as teenage boys forced to become men overnight in the face of war. In addition, this period film features Jewel in her first major motion picture performanace. When I first heard that she was going to be in this movie, I was a bit skeptical not knowing whether she could act or not. Well, she certainly shines in this movie. Jewel portrays a young widow who is caught up in the madness of the War Between The States. Not only does she look "period" but she pulls off a convincing performance of a young woman in 1860's society. A difficult part for any young actress to portray. And this is her first movie! The DVD also includes a haunting music video with Jewel singing the song from the movie's closing credits. She is so beautiful. Although not historically accurate in every aspect, this movie is still interesting to watch in that the speech, wardrobe, social customs and mannerisms of the 1860's were carefully researched.
Rating:
Summary: Great film that did not get enough exposure
Review: I missed out on this film last year because of its lack of exposure, and I was really ticked off about that because I'm a huge Jewel fan. So finally being able to see it was great. The film has a great cast- Skeet Ulrich, Tobey Maguire, Jewel, Jeffrey Wright, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Simon Baker, all of them turning out great performances.I tend to think of this as a drama more than a war film. But the actions scenes are great. there are some brilliant scenes involving horses that go so smoothly. and if you have 5.1 speakers, the sound is great when it comes to the shooting scenes! I did not know what to expect from Jewel. I did not know if I was going to overlook her acting abilities(or lack of)being the fan that I am, but I did not have to worry. She did a great job, especially for her first time. The ending sort of disappointed me. I can understand Holt riding off, but ending it there? I expected some follow up between Jake and Sue Lee, then them riding off. Oh well As for DVD extras, there weren't too many in that department. A trailer, Jewel's "Life Uncommon" video, bios on the major characters, and production notes(probably what I appreciated most). I would have liked to have seen commentary by some of the cast/crew.
Rating: 
Summary: as good as it's gonna be from a liberal PC Hollywood
Review: This film was a fairly decent account of the first years of the war on the western border of Missouri....it gave the perspective of Germans siding on the side of the Confederacy (many Germans in fact did side with the south, contrary to popular belief but that's another topic)....focused entirely on guerilla warfare (as it was intended to do) the movie still left the uninformed to continue thinking this was the only warfare in MO....the movie portrays Missourians as Southern which was a relief as 140 years of Reconstruction have lead many to think otherwise. Though there were several historical inaccuracies and portrayals (many out of the necessity of making an interesting movie), as a fanatic for historical accuracy, this will be as close as it will get in today's politically correct society. The one aspect that did rub me raw though was the fact that, whether intentionally or unintentionally I don't know, the movie seemed to indicate that Jake Roedel was the only partisan ranger who could read and write....nothing good be farther from the truth - they were in general a very educated group which included preachers and school teachers (Quantrill was a school teacher). And even though the scenes in and around Lawrence are gross exaggerations and pure hollywood fiction (especially the engagement after the guerillas left Lawrence which did not occur as well as the portrayal of wagon loads of loot being removed), I enjoyed the movie in the theater and look forward to enjoying it at home.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films of 1999
Review: In Missouri, in the early years of the Civil War there isn't yet a proper Confederate army, so pro-Confederate folks are pretty much left to defend themselves against the Union Army. Jake "Dutchie" Roedel (Maguire) and childhood friend Jackbull Chiles (Ulrich) become Bushwhackers: roaming, non-regular Confederates who sabotage, attack and kill Union regiments wherever they find them. This film is meandering, giving it an epic quality even though the time covered is only several years. Dutchie and Jackbull join up with other Bushwhackers, including gentleman George Clyde (Simon Baker) and his wry, freed-slave companion Holt (Jeffrey Wright). Led by the grim Black John (Jim Caviezel), these fellows and others fight for their families, revenge, and the thrill of it. The movie gives a thoughtful and not often seen perspective of the Civil War. Like LAST OF THE MOHICANS, it doesn't try to be politically correct or take sides; it concerns itself more with showing how the war the people fight can bear little resemblance to the one the politicians have waged. RIDE WITH THE DEVIL was one of the most satisfying movies of 1999, featuring one of the strongest ensemble casts I've seen in a long, long time. Highly recommend!
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film
Review: I'll just have to be honest, I haven't even seen the film yet, but I've read the novel and the script by James Shaamus and I'm impressed. Ang Lee is a wonderful director and is much worthy of praise for bringing this story to the screen, something that's been needing to happen for a long time. And how wonderful to see Jewel in this film. She is a beautiful and talented woman that has made a wonderful name for herself and it's great to see her take on this role. So see Ride With the Devil...you'll enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Important Piece of American Cinema
Review: Ride With the Devil is a groundbreaking piece from Ang Lee (who brought us The Ice Storm and Sense and Sensibility). The film takes a look at the frontier wars on the Kansas/Missouri border during the Civil War. Tobey Maguire shows his talents as Jake Roedel, who joins the group with his best friend, Jack Bull, who is played by the gifted Skeet Ulrich. Jewel shines as Sue Lee Shelley, the love interest of both men. Lastly, the role of Daniel Holt was insightful and thought-provoking, played by the little-known Jefrey Wright. The battle scenes were bloody and realistic. The film shows you a part of the Civil War that you might not read about in textbooks.
Rating:
Summary: Deo Vindice
Review: Ride With the Devil is the modern Joesy Wales. Both films provide views with a different, and controversial in our PC world, perspective on the War Between the States in the West. Southerners are not villified, and there is a black, yes a black, Confederate in the movie! Lee does a nice job putting a complex story together. The characters are realistic and the acting good. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to get a complete picture of the War.
Rating:
Summary: Civil War epic for the millennium
Review: Ride With the Devil is an impressive accomplishment for director Ang Lee. He brings the feeling of 1860s Missouri alive with the dialogue and the costumes. The performances were good on most parts, Tobey Maguire was excellent as Jake Roedel, known as "Dutchie" in the vigilante Confederate army. Skeet Ulrich and Jeffrey Wright weren't to bad, but Jewel left something to be desired. You can see she's not comfortable with acting. The movie shows you what life was really like for young people back then. It's a good learning experience.
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