The Long Riders
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Movie Reviews of The Long Riders
Movie Review: Brothers And More Brothers
Summary: 3 Stars
I just saw this film again after not having seen it for a long time. It's a pretty good western, although the stylised violence now seems quite dated. But the look and feel of the film is first rate. The music is among its greatest assets. Of course, the big novelty of The Long Riders is its casting of real-life brothers to play the various sets of famous (or infamous) brothers. Going by this film, the Youngers were much more interesting than the James Boys. In fact, the biggest flaw in the film is James Keach as Jesse James. Not only is his acting wooden and one dimensional, but he kept reminding me of Buster Keaton. An interesting project but the definitive film about the James and Younger gang has yet to be made.Movie Review: Riding on borrowed time
Summary: 4 Stars
Director Walter Hill's , " The Long Riders " , isn't your typical western. Cast with ingenious wit by Jane Fienberg and Mike Fenton ,and creatively shot by cinetographer Ric Waite , this 1980 film about the exploits of the James / Younger gang , stands out as a refreshing take on an age old tale. It is also important to note that this is one of the films that helped break down the barriers towards intergrating graphic violence into mainstream film. Fortunatly , the violence was justified in the story and the film still holds validation ,as one of the best westerns shot in the 1980's. Filming a movie, that features this many well known actors, would be highly unlikely these days and the casting marks the end of an era. " The Long Riders " features original music by Ry Cooder and the unforgettable cast of real life brothers , Stacy and James Keach , David Carradine , Keith Carradine , Robert Carridine , Randy and Dennis Quaid , Christopher Guest, and Nicholas Guest. The film also highlights cameo performances by James Remar ,Fran Ryan ,Harry Carey Jr. ,Kevin Brophy , and Pamela Reed. The music is great , the action scenes ( although dated ) are extremely original , the acting is good , and the direction is fabulous. "The Long Riders" , is definately one western that deserves it's recognition and a space in your dvd collection.Movie Review: Realistic, Grim, Mature, Modern Western (actually an Eastern)
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen Walter Hill's 1980 'Western' "The Long Riders" about four or five times now. It details the story of the James/Younger Gang. What impressed me recently while viewing it is that it maintained my attention even though I've seen it quite a few times before. That, to me, is a sign of a truly good film.
From what I understand, there are some inaccuracies in the story, e.g. Jesse James wasn't as wooden as James Keach portrays him, Belle Starr wasn't a prostitute and the bar knife fight never happened. But, what the heck, they got the gist of the story right. The James/Younger guys, thankfully, are not painted as a bunch of good-guy Robin Hoods; no, they were outlaws who steal & kill for a living and justify it by their bitter experiences in the Civil War. Nor are the Pinkertons made out to be the bad guys; they make some stupid mistakes, as is common, but they ultimately catch their quarry.
The gimmick with this film is that they used real-life brothers to portray the outlaw brothers: James and Stacy Keach as Jesse and Frank James; David, Keith and Robert Carradine as Cole, Jim and Bob Younger; Randy and Dennis Quaid as Clell and Ed Miller; and Christopher and Nicholas Guest as Charlie and Bob Ford. Pamela Reed and James Remar are also on hand as Belle and Sam Starr.
The bar knife fight between Cole Younger and Sam Starr is an intense highlight. Although this particular fight never happened, fights LIKE IT did (Heck, in the late 1970s a friend of mine got stabbed in the gut in a bar knife fight in Mecca, Ohio; so I personally KNOW it happens).
One striking aspect of this film is that it's more-so an Eastern than a Western; the events of the film largely take place in Missouri, Minnesota and East Texas, hardly THE West; not to mention that it was filmed largely in Georgia of all places (Parrott and Westville) and also in Rusk, Texas, which is in EAST Texas. These Eastern locations are nothing short of magnificent. It's just nice to see the East utilized in a Western storyline.
David Carradine is truly outstanding as Cole Younger. Remember him as Caine in "Kung Fu"? Well, his character here is the express opposite of that noble character. James Keach is also potent as Jesse James; James portrays Jesse as a very grim, hard man. You can easily see him leading this tough band of outlaws. In addition, Stacy Keach is likable as always.
Altough Pamela Reed plays her role of Belle Starr very well, Belle comes across as lifeless and sleazy (which is to be expected if you're a prostitute); I wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole. Lastly, James Remar is perfect and memorable as the half-indian Sam Starr; I'm surpised Remar didn't have a more noteworthy film career.
The cinematography is top-of-the-line.
Lastly, this is a very modern "Western" even though it was released in 1980. For verification, I recently let a friend borrow it, a friend that refuses to watch "old" movies (i.e. anything made before 2000). Anyway, he watched it and loved it. When I told him it was from 1980 he was aghast; he couldn't believe it.
Do yourself a favor and catch "The Long Riders" and witness how it was like in the era of the James/Younger gang.
Movie Review: Long Riders
Summary: 1 Stars
DVD was damaged on reciept and since I did not have the packing materials I had to trash it and buy it again.Movie Review: Gret Entertaining Western.
Summary: 5 Stars
Probably the best movie about the James Younger gang ever made. The cast, which includes, the Keach, Carradine, Quaid, and Guest Brothers. Lots of Sam Penkinpah type shoot em up scenes. Correct period costumes and the Ry Cooder soundtrack. A must have, in your western collection. I'll put it in my top ten flicks! Great movie!