The Long Riders
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Movie Reviews of The Long Riders
Movie Review: "You're both crazy, but you do keep me amused. "
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm not much of a history buff, so I really couldn't tell you how much factual detail is contained within the film The Long Riders (1980), but in terms of a great western film, it falls a bit shy. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but given the amount of talent involved I expected a little more than what I got. Don't get me wrong, this is still a pretty good film, but it could have been better. Directed by Walter Hill (Hard Times, 48 Hrs.), the film features a number of Hollywood siblings including James and Stacy Keach (both of whom share writing credits for this film), David, Keith, and Robert Carradine, and Dennis and Randy Quaid. Also appearing is Christopher and Nicholas Guest along with Pamela Reed (Chattahoochee, Kindergarten Cop) and James Remar (The Warriors, 48 Hrs.).
The film is set shortly after the American Civil War, and follows the exploits of the James/Younger gang, comprised of Jesse (James Keach) and Frank (Stacy Keach) James, Cole (David Carradine), Jim (Keith Carradine), and Bob (Robert Carradine) Younger, and Ed (Dennis Quaid) and Clell (Randy Quaid) Miller (whew!). The film follows not so much a straightforward plot like we would normally expect in a film, but a series of what were probably actual, documented events, occurring over a decent span of time, strung together to relate the relative rise and subsequent fall (at the hands of the Pinkertons, among others) of some of the most famous outlaw (or infamous, however you look at it) figures in American history.
I thought the use of real life brothers (apparently Jeff and Beau Bridges were originally approached to play Jesse and Frank James, but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts) to depict the characters within the film was somewhat inspired, but then I couldn't help wonder if it was also a marketing tactic (it didn't feel like it)...either way, it worked, sort of...I guess I expected more `connectivity' between these real life brothers to come through on the screen. There was some of this, but not as much as I would have thought, and I think it had something to do with the limitations within the script. All the relationships seemed to be shown with a minimalist view, and not explored as much as I would have liked. I thought most of the actors did well, but James Keach seemed an unlikely choice for Jesse James...I guess I'm used to seeing him in more comedic roles, like in films like Cannonball (1976) or Moving Violations (1985). Here his serious, dramatic portrayal comes through pretty flavorless, and hardly instilled the belief that he was the brains of the operation. The story never really goes into the origins of the gang, other than they all seemed to come from Missouri, but does go into a bit of detail with regards to various crimes they committed, and the fate of each of the members. The makers of the film seemed to focus a lot of attention on detail, specifically regarding the look and feel of the film (costumes, sets, music, etc.), but I felt something missing within the characters. I think it was because the film takes place over a good period of time (in one scene we see a particular character courting a woman, another scene they're getting married, and yet another scene they have what appears to be a toddler), and doesn't delve into a great amount of specifics pertaining to particular events, instead loosely relating many events. Sometimes the passage of time is obvious, but other times its' not. One thing I did notice was that the film didn't appear to try and glamorize the outlaws, but rather tried to show them in a relatively realistic manner...it was apparent in the film that the divide between the North and the South didn't end with the war, as the Southerners generally viewed the gang with a sympathetic eye (especially since the gang seemed intent on only stealing from companies or institutions with Northern ties), and the Northerners, basically represented by the Pinkerton agents, were interested in upholding the law, with, perhaps an underlying motive of quashing any rebellious types still stinging over the South's loss, using it as a justification to commit criminal activities (that last part is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth). Overall the direction was good, but Hill made some odd choices, in my opinion. The use of `wipes' to transition from scene to scene felt out of place, and stuck out in my mind. It's not an uncommon technique, but it just didn't seem appropriate for the material (I think a `fade out, fade in' tactic would have worked better). Also, the use of slow motion in some of the action scenes might not have been my first choice, but then again it's easy to play armchair director. I guess I am just more accustomed to seeing this type of tactic used in a more modern setting. I did like the action sequences (although it seemed like an awful lot of people kept getting shot in the shoulder), and the big finale near the end is worth sticking around for, if you don't mind lengthy periods of inactivity (these periods consisted of somewhat shallow scenes showing key members of the gang pursuing aspects of a normal life, i.e. marriage, family, etc.).
The wide screen anamorphic picture (1:85.1) looks very clean and clear on this DVD, and the Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono audio comes through very well. There are Spanish and French subtitles available, but, alas, none for English...special features include a theatrical trailer and that's it...all in all this is a decent release of a very solid, slightly flawed film.
Cookieman108
Movie Review: one of the best!
Summary: 5 Stars
This a very stylish western with a great cast, plenty of action, colorful characters, and a wonderful soundtrack.Movie Review: Long Riders
Summary: 3 Stars
About once a generation a western appears that boldly announces it's telling history "as it really was" and generally reenergizes the genre. THE LONG RIDERS did that in 1980, although it got its history as wrong as did the earlier ones. Belle Starr is offered here as a notorious prostitute and lover of David Carridine's Cole Younger. Starr was never a prostitute, although she was an outlaw who gained posthumous notoriety when her exploits were exploited by an eastern writer. She didn't marry Sam Starr until Cole Younger was serving his second year in prison for his role in the Northfield robbery, so the film's mano-a-mano showdown scene between Younger and Sam Starr is pure hooey. On the other hand, Cole Younger DID receive 11 gunshot wounds during the botched bank robbery - a number, I guess, no movie would ever feel the need to exaggerate.
None of this is meant to find fault with THE LONG RIDERS. If I want to learn history I'll read a book. Movies are meant to deliver the emotional impact of the story in a manner accessible to the widest number of people. Rather than telling it like it is, these corner turning filmmakers deconstruct myths and rebuild them in terms more acceptable to modern audiences. The Pinkerton agents are treated more gently than might be expected and the James Gang is portrayed as just about what they were before the publicists got to them - not a modern day bunch of Robin Hoods, but a group of tough men who found robbery amenable and profitable.
THE LONG RIDERS is probably best remembered for its inspired casting of real brothers to portray the historical brothers who were members of Jesse James' criminal gang. Bearing fond memories of watching it twenty-five years ago, I was really looking forward to seeing it again two and a-half decades later.
Imagine my disappointment. James Keach, who plays Jesse James, gives one of the most wooden performances I'd ever seen. A smile never crosses his lips, an identifiable emotion never appears on his face. History books tell us the real Jesse James was a devil-may-care, gregarious type, much like Butch Cassidy, while Frank James was the taciturn one.
Beyond the action scenes and especially the final showdown in Northfield I feel THE LONG RIDERS is awfully slow moving and uninvolving.
Movie Review: excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
This is may all time favorite version of the story of the James and Younger gang. I liked other versions but this one really has the Southern ambiance and the thrill of what legends are all about. Cheers to all those who made this such an extraordinary Western!Movie Review: Long Riders Is Long On Music, But Not On Plot
Summary: 3 Stars
I saw this movie for the first time a couple of days ago. What hit me about the movie was the amount of music played in the movie. The movie is fair. Not a movie you would want to repeat several times in your lifetime. Maybe watch once and then move on. The cinematography is fine. It seemed to lack grit. I found it difficult to believe David Carradine as Cole Younger. Frank Keach was good as Jesse James, but brother Stacy Keach was passable as Frank James. I think a better rendition of the story of Jesse James and the Younger brothers was in the movie "The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid" made in 1972 as a television film (I believe). Cliff Robertson as Cole Younger and Robert Duvall as Jesse James seemed to be better renditions. The Long Riders is well made, but it seems to be missing something. Just rent it.....and if you really like the movie.....definitely buy it. Investigate the 1972 version with Duvall. Passable to good acting in the Long Riders.