Comanche Moon is based on a book and ties in with the series of books and films in the Lonesome Dove saga. The books are written by Larry McMurtry, with Lonesome Dove being a Texas town follows the adventures of two main characters, Captains Augustus McRae and Woodrow F. Call. Sadly the films ... Read review
Production Year: 1971 - Westerns - Director: Richard Benedict, Douglas Heyes, Leslie Martinson - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Ben Murphy, Pete Duel
Advantages: Gripping storyline, Val Kilmer Disadvantages: 284 min may be too long for some
Comanche Moon is based on a book and ties in with the series of books and films in the Lonesome Dove saga. The books are written by Larry McMurtry, with Lonesome Dove being a Texas town follows the adventures of two main characters, Captains Augustus McRae and Woodrow F. Call. Sadly the films were not released in the correct chronological order to the books so Comanche Moon is set in the earlier years of these two loveable rogues whilst working as ... ...when their legends are created. Comanche Moon is a relatively lengthy story and as a result comes on two discs for a total running time of 284 minutes. In this respect it is good because you can sit through the first disc one night and the second one the following night to have mercy on your posterior.
==Actors/Roles==
Karl Urban: Woodrow Call - Texas Ranger
Steve Zahn: Gus McCrae - Texas Ranger
Linda ... more
Comanche Moon is based on a book and ties in with the series of books and films in the Lonesome Dove saga. The books are written by Larry McMurtry, with Lonesome Dove being a Texas town follows the adventures of two main characters, Captains Augustus McRae and Woodrow F. Call. Sadly the films were not released in the correct chronological order to the books so Comanche Moon is set in the earlier years of these two loveable rogues whilst working as Texas Rangers. For me this film is long overdue since having watched all the Lonesome Dove films as well as The Streets of Laredo I often craved a film en-capturing the period of their lives when their legends are created. Comanche Moon is a relatively lengthy story and as a result comes on two discs for a total running time of 284 minutes. In this respect it is good because you can sit through the first disc one night and the second one the following night to have mercy on your posterior.
Actors/Roles
Karl Urban: Woodrow Call - Texas Ranger Steve Zahn: Gus McCrae - Texas Ranger Linda Cardellini: Clara Allen - Gus's former lover, a storekeeper's daughter Elizabeth Banks: Maggie Tilton - Woodrow's lover and prostitute Val Kilmer: Inish Scull - Captain- Texas Ranger Rachel Griffiths: Inez Scull - Wife of Inish Scull Ray McKinnon: Long Bill Coleman - Texas Ranger Ryan Merriman: Jake Spoon - Texas Ranger Troy Baker: Pea Eye Parker - Texas Ranger Keith Robinson: Joshua Deets - Texas Ranger David Midthunder: Famous Shoes - the Rangers' Kickapoo tracker Wes Studi: Buffalo Hump - Comanche war-chief Jonathon Joss: Kicking Wolf - Comanche horse thief Adam Beach: Blue Duck - Son of Buffalo Hump Sal Lopez: Ahumado - Mexican bandit and murderer Goyeto - Ahumado's henchman and skinner (humans, not animals) Tana - A member of Buffalo Hump's tribe; likes torturing whites James Rebhorn: Elisha Pease - Texas Governor Jake Busey: as Tudwal Melanie Lynskey: as Pearl Coleman Norbert Leo Butz: as Capt. Richard King Indira Varma: as Therese Wanz Kristine Sutherland: as Elmira Forsythe Toby Metcalf: Lee Hitch - Texas Ranger Jeremy Ratchford: Charles Goodnight - Texas Ranger
The Story
The key plot of which the other sub plots descend from is centred round three outlaws which are Buffalo Hump, Kicking Wolf and Ahumado. Call and McCrae are part of a posse of Texas Rangers under the leadership of Captain Inish Scull. Inish is a very eccentric wealthy man who made a name for himself as a hero during the Texas war of independence. After a serious screw ups Inish's legendary horse gets stolen by Kicking Wolf. In light of this Inish decides to take Famous Shoes and go after them on foot to get his horse back. Before leaving Inish promotes both McRae and Call to joint Captains and tells them to get themselves and the other Rangers back to town. The problem is that in town there is just as much action going on. Firstly Inez Scull is a very wealthy slut who is working her way steadily around the male populace, often seducing them at gunpoint and getting rid of them under a hail of hot lead. Gus and Clara are in love with each other but Gus constantly screws up and goes one step too far when becoming another prey to Inez Scull. Maggie is having a relationship with Woodrow who has stopped prostituting to be in a loyal healthy relationship with him. The problem is that the stoic, indifferent, over working, impassive Woodrow will not give her what she wants, talk about commitment issues. Not only that but when Maggie gives birth to Woodrow's son called Newt, Woodrow does the despicable thing and won't accept him as his son. Eventually they come to learn that Inish is taken prisoner and a ransom is being asked for by an evil, twisted, outlaw called Ahumado. The reality of the predicament is known clearly by the two Captains that even if the ransom is paid they will still kill Scull. Thus they leave out with the Rangers on a mission to free Inish from the gang. Whilst away Buffalo Hump and his war band attack the town with some serious consequences and Kicking Wolf starts out on his own with a gang of cut-throat outlaws. With so much going on in so many areas the Rangers really have their work cut out for them. All the time this is going on Ahumado has an issue with Inish since he does not like his spirit and wit so Ahumado sets out on a personal challenge to mentally break Inish. During this phase of the film there are some very funny scenes and the wit of Val Kilmer's character is great. During the film you come across the famous town of Lonesome Dove from the latter lives of the captains and it is just in its initial building phase.
My Opinion
This film has some real magic inasmuch as it splendidly embodies everything such as humour, sorrow, wit, action, plot, love and tragedy. It shows the trials of coming of age, and the way life was in a frontier town. It also shows issues that affect people just as much as they do now such as love, loss, degradation, commitment, bravery. There are some very powerful scenes where one of the Texas Rangers discovers that his wife was violated by bandits. He is so mentally affected by it he drinks his fill of whisky and hangs himself. Bear in mind that rightly or wrongly Christian values dominated a lot of these people's lives, and had deep bearing in all aspects of life including marriage values. In many ways the film is an emotional rollercoaster that has you laughing hysterically at the television one moment and screaming at it the next with frustration as some characters make some pitiful decisions. The film is lengthy and manages to really fit an incredible storyline and gives all characters and sub plots adequate attention and makes the film thoroughly gripping. The film also captures the treatment of native Americans of lesser tribes by more powerful ones and the contempt they are treated with and there is a lot of native American culture and spirituality within the film and you see the plight of these peoples has they are gradually kicked off their lands and killed off. The film also has some characters in it that were real historical people. For me Val Kilmer steals the acting crown in this film is character is loveable. He is so witty, funny, intelligent and brave. In the scenes where he and his wife are trying to kill each other it is hysterical. Wes Studi is incredible as always in a role that is by now very comfortable to him as a Native American albeit in this instance a chieftain. Karl Urban and Steve Zahn give convincing performances as the Captains and do the characters justice portraying them in their earlier years. Rachel Griffiths plays a great spirited and attractive slut, and to be fair there are no performances that I can criticise. I suppose it is safe to say that this factor is enhanced by a real quality script and the banter in the film between many of the characters never gets tiring.
The sets are mostly outdoors but inside the buildings etc, they are all quality authentic western buildings and reliable Native American encampments. Lots of nice scenery in the outdoor scenes is very pleasing to the eye and the costumes are entirely authentic sparing no cost or making no oversight in endeavouring to en-capture a genuine feel for the Wild West and frontier life all making for a convincing atmosphere backed up by a typical western soundtrack.
I don't believe that you necessarily have to be a western fan to take enjoyment from this film and I sincerely believe that equally there is a lot of substance to this film that will be of appeal to men and women viewers, in other words everyone can find something enjoyable about the film. The film has nothing particularly shocking about it and so could easily be enjoyed by anyone above the age of twelve, younger than that and some of the subplots etc could be too intricate for comprehension.
Extras
Behind the scenes of Comanche Moon: I found this somewhat tedious. Riding into the Sunset, Cowboy Riding and Training: I thoroughly enjoyed this Comanche Heritage: From the tribes distinct outset just prior to 1700 to total white dominance the Comanche were one of the greatest tribes in American history.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS LISTED AS FILM ONLY SO PLEASE DO NOT PENALISE FOR A LAME REVIEW OF THE EXTRAS
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![Comanche Moon [DVD] [2008] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/81499969.jpg "Comanche Moon [DVD] [2008] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]")
