Lonesome Dove
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Movie Reviews of Lonesome Dove
Movie Review: Yes, it is in fact cropped, but still worth buying
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a fan since I first read the book and watched it in its premier broadcast on CBS. When I am asked to name my favorite movie, I always cite Lonesome Dove (even though it is a made-for-television miniseries). Today I purchased this newly-released Collector's Edition, even though I already own the 2000 Hallmark 2-disc release, and even though I suspected the touted "widescreen" had been accomplished by cropping/letterboxing.
After reading the handful of reviews here that seemed to contradict each other, I popped both discs in separate players to compare them with each other. The good news is, the audio is remarkably crystal clear, a definite improvement. The picture is also markedly superior, very sharp, and the color is brilliant. On the older Hallmark version, the colors appear pale and washed out compared to the newer version, which has much deeper and richer tones, after remastering.
The bad news is, it is in fact cropped. When I watched the two discs side by side, it is immediately apparent that part of the picture is missing at the top and at the bottom of the screen, in most scenes. What is really strange, however, is that in some scenes part of the picture has been cropped from the (left and/or right) sides of the picture, as well. There are some scenes in which the picture has been cropped on ALL FOUR sides of the picture. I am not imagining this. I was able to confirm this by playing/pausing the two versions side by side and noting that characters are sometimes in frame, other times not visible, parts of signs and lettering on signs are sometimes visible, sometimes not visible. Objects visible in the older version may not be visible in the newer release.
Even stranger, in the new release, in some scenes one side of the frame may show less (on either the left or the ride side of the picture) in the new version (e.g. missing a person, or an object), but the other side of the frame may show people or objects that do not appear in the "original" 4:3 aspect.
Bottom line: it would appear that the original production was filmed in some aspect other than what was originally broadcast on network; this newer version ADDS some of the previously unseen aspect in some scenes, but in other scenes OMITS some of what was originally broadcast. Still, the picture quality is really nice, and if you are as big a fan as I am of this, the greatest story ever told, it probably won't matter to you. I will keep my older version copy, but I doubt I will ever have a reason to want to watch it instead of this one.
Movie Review: We Don't Rent Pigs..
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know why this collectors edition was released so quietly -- it's a monumental achievement For most of us LD fans who managed through repeated viewings of - first, the multiple VHS collection, then the DVD set, all in TV quality stereo and 4:3 aspect, so my head was spinning watching it in widescreen with remastered clarity and 5.1 sound! I saw things and heard things I never before noticed, and the richness of the presentation brought out nuances in Duvall, Jones, and others that made me feel like I was seeing the movie for the first time. Considering the majority of the actors in the movie underplay their parts (for a more powerful effect), this print captures those silent expressions and subtle emotions -- while those are masterfully done by Duvall, who could have gone over the top with Gus, yet he gives us just enough, and Tommy Lee Jones, who brilliantly and subtly reveals Woodrow Call with facial expressions and body language, with minimal dialogue, I found the biggest difference in watching the late Robert Urich. His role as the narcissistic Jake Spoon could be dismissed as such and even overlooked as he's so unlikeable at times, but it's a deceptively powerful role, and there's a whole conflicted side Urich plays I never appreciated before. Clearly, as a Ranger, he was in his element, a hero (the picture in the bar was of the three of them), but he's struggled in peacetime: he's become a user, but with a good heart, a loyal friend, lost in bad circumstance, a man who uses his reputation while running from it... and he deftly weaves and maneuvers through this tapestry of character flaws and virtues-- something I never fully appreciated. All of which is summed up In his obvious feelings of respect and love for his friends In his final scene, but also in his final line, "...Who?" -- which is followed by the action that culminates in what Robert Duvall states is the best acting moment of his career (in the extras documentary). I doubt Duvall would have been inspired to mobilize his considerable talent for such a perfect moment without Urich's layered portrayal leading up to it. Well, I swear...
But the moments in the classic are many and no doubt every viewing will reveal more. Bottom Line: This is an excellent edition, well worth buying even if you have very other. I can't wait to get to the Blue-Ray version when I can!
Movie Review: As Excellent As I Remember it Being
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't sure if "Lonesome Dove" would hold up. Hard to believe it's been two decades since it was first broadcast?! My wife and I planned on watching this DVD over a couple of nights, as the entire program clocks in at about 6 hours.
Well any fear I may have had that "Lonesome Dove" would seem dated, or that it couldn't possibly be as good as remembered was put to bed after the first 10 minutes.
This fantastic adaptation of Larry McMurtry's novel has stood the test of time. If anything it's gotten even better with age! Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones as Texas Ranger Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call have created career defining characters.
The basic story is that the two Rangers decide to have one last adventure in the waning days of "the Old West". Driving a stolen herd of cattle from Mexico up to the Montana Territory to start a new ranch in one of the last "wild" places remaining in the new nation. Of course, the cattle drive is simply window dressing. The real reason to watch the film is the bond and friendship between the two men. Watching these two men deal with life, love and loss on the trail through the American midwest is so engrossing and entertaining that you hate to see the story come to an end. This is a character driven story, and you really come to love these characters. "Lonesome Dove" is full of twists and turns, at times you will be chuckling and in the next moment you'll have a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes.
Fans of the novels will really enjoy this faithful adaptation as well. While it would be impossible to delve into as much detail as McMurtry provides in the books, "Dove" does not only a great job packing so much of the novel into it's six hours, it is also able to capture the feel and spirit of McMurtry's tale (If only they had taken as much care and time with the other films in the "Lonesome Dove" series of films)
To illustrate just how engrossing this film is, while my wife and I planned on spooling this film out over several evenings...once we started watching it, we couldn't turn it off! We have a marathon viewing of the entire series in just one sitting! Fantastic, and highly recommended.
Movie Review: Greatest Western of the Modern era
Summary: 5 Stars
This film follows McMurtry's book so well, as the director notes in the bonus section, that there are virtually no dialogue changes. The DVD comes in a two DVD set with the four parts split evenly between the two with the bonus features as well, The bonus features include interviews with casts, director and author and show some of the films highlights including each one's favorite part. The outdoor scenes, script and acting is top notch. The supreme benefit of this epic is the time spent in character development that allows one to get to know the characters so thoroughly and appreciate the bonds between these men looking for perhaps their last great adventure with young cowboys in tow. Tommy Lee Jones as Texas Ranger Woodrow F. call, possibly his greatest role, and Robert Duval as captain Augustus McCrae are outstanding with such a great cast with Danny Glover Robert Urich, D. B. Sweeny, the surprising Rick Schroder, Diane Lane, Anjeclica Houston and the excellent character actor Timothy Scott who plays Pea. The DVD starts in ends with each four parts and, as the director states in the bonus section, it was literally four movies made into one. The scenes are so realistic that even the cattle were bought in Mexico to not just replicate scrawny worn looking animals but they were all those things making the trail dive more realistic. Tremendous action packed film full of realistic scenes and when Tommy Lee Jones (or his stunt man) slams his horse into a bully's, it certainly looks and feels real. Watching all four sets was delightful but the last one was exhausting as the latter part is one of the saddest in movie history but it pays tribute to the characters played by these great actors as each loss is heartfelt. The dialogue is just tremendous and well delivered, such as when Woodrow beats a man senseless, recovers finally and notes he is being observed by townfolk, expresses simply, "I just hate rudeness in a man."Movie Review: An Epic Movie - Acting, Scenery, and Plot are all Superb
Summary: 5 Stars
I have spent most of my life hearing about the LONESOME DOVE Mini-Series but never watched it until recently. I can't believe what I have been missing all of these years - what a great movie! The story at face value is about the 2,000 mile cattle drive that two ex-Rangers make from Lonesome Dove to Montana; the TRUE story is about the bond of two life long friends: Captains Woodrow Call (Tommy Lee Jones) and Augustus McCrae (Robert Duvall), the maturing of a young boy Newt, and the hardships and life-lessons learned along the way.
This series is the epitome of "the western": there is plenty of gunfighting, cattle-driving, and outlaw-chasing - but this movie really tops them all in terms of the overlying story that unfolds during it all. Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall shine as their comraderie and friendship is displayed on screen. You see how each handles loss and love in his own way - and how each has differing effects on the men that they lead. It also shows the maturing of a young man, Newt Dobbs (Rick Schroder), as he goes from awkward boy to steadfast cowhand through the mentoring of the two Captains and Scout Joshua Deets (Danny Glover), while also being influenced by ex-Ranger Jake Spoon (Robert Urich).
Lonesome Dove is a movie that delivers plenty of action, adventure, humor, and tragedy - and does it with class and panache. You get to know and love (or really hate) the characters presented. I know, Six hours sounds like a long time, but after six hours you are actually left wanting more and hate the fact that it ended.
I could not recommend this movie/mini-series highly enough. Immediately after finishing it, I went out and bought the book - just to get more insight into the characters presented. Even if you are not a huge western fan, the presentation, story-line, and characters will keep you entertained for hours.