Customer Reviews

Rough Riders [VHS]

5 star:		(86)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As he did in 1975 with "The Wind and the Lion," director and writer John Milius mixes history and adventure in his 1997 production of "Rough Riders," and in both cases the results are enjoyable although over the top at times. Curiously, he focuses on Theodore Roosevelt in both films and creates two of the more interesting interpretations of this famed American. In "Rough Riders," a young and very energetic Roosevelt is played by Tom Berenger (also co-producer) with both distinction and humor. It is perhaps the definitive TR to date. Note, especially TR's opening speech at the Naval War College and his retropsective at the end of the fight for "San Juan Hill." The action scenes are typical Milius, great fun and again at times a bit over the top. The film shifts from overly patriotic to momentary scenes that are clearly critical of American expansionism and jingoism. Milius does make one thing clear, after these events nothing was to be the same. This was a defining moment in American history. Well produced, written and acted, this film could have made it on the big screen rather than television and it should be on DVD! Certainly one of Milius' best efforts, "Rough Riders" is an enjoyable romp.

John Milius did an absolutely amazing job of putting together a film that depicts the establishment and deployment of the 1st U.S. Vounteer Cavalry. Milius has done wonderful justice to his longtime hero, Theodore Roosevelt, who he once said was the embodiment of everything great about America.

As Americans, we take so much of our heritage for granted. In this day and age of our all-volunteer armed forces, high technology and limited warfare, any discussion of our heritage and sacrifice in the blood our ancestors made is neatly compartmentalized for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. This is a shame.

Sometimes, the people who are supposed to be leading us aren't much help, either. Our elected and appointed officials often flounder in the face of bad press without explanation. The end result is that no one can understand how our government can ask people to fight and die in places far away, for causes that sometimes seem to have more to do with whether or not we can maintain our standard of living than anything else. The wars we fight now seem to be fleeting events that come and go. Tragically, the dead are gone, and life goes on without them.

In his various career incarnations as Governor of New York, the Secretary of the Navy, and as President, Roosevelt was always one to inspire controversy. As a Lieutenant Colonel assigned to the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, he was no different. To Roosevelt, war was not the drudgery of hell on earth, but an enobling excercise, one which all Americans should aspire to. Amusingly, after one visit with Roosevelt, author Mark Twain remarked that it was easy to see the Roosevelt was "cleary insane."

Whether you agree or disagree, Tom Berringer is the perfect Roosevelt. He portrays TR as a man of vision and backbone, as the sort of man who would one day forge the United States into the awsome power that it is today. Berringer's performance in "The Rough Riders" is possibly the best of his career.

In 1898, the American nation was, in many ways, still rebuilding from the civil war. For the people of America, this was the dawn of an industrialized nation, and for the first time, American industry was forging the tools that would take our Naval Forces into the twentieth century. Yet it would be twenty years before the new technology of the tank and airplane would be implemented in land warfare. The Spanish-American war is unique in that in many respects, both politically, strategically and tactically, it was a prelude to World War One.

Without going into a plot synopsis (I'm not going to explain something you can see for yourself), I will say that the story unfolds perfectly and the direction is impeccable. All of the supporting actors, Brad Johnson, R. Lee Ermy, Dale Dye, Brian Keith, Sam Elliott, Gary Busey and George Hamilton are superb in their roles.

Yes - this is a film that should have been a theatrical release. Yes - this is a film that ought to be put on a two-dvd set with lots of extras. Yes - this is a great film.

The "Rough Riders" was made for presentation as a made for TV film for Turner Broadcasting. It was first broadcast in 1998, roughly 100 years after the Spanish American war. I'll give Ted Turner credit; I don't agree with him on very much, but I will say that Turner Broadcasting performed a great service in broadcasting "The Rough Riders".

In a day and age where films depicting shoddy characters with even shoddier values are routinely churned out and targeted for specific demographic groups, "The Rough Riders" is an anomoly. It is an inspired film.

"Rough Riders" as you might guess describes the exploits of Teddy Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit in the Spanish American War. Berenger, Busey, and Brian Keith all turn in excellent performances as Roosevelt, Joe Wheeler, and the President. However, the movie also shows some excellent research-given that John Milius was a writer as well as director this isn't too surprising. Mr Milius is a weapons collector, and historian as well as a director. The weapons, accoutrements, and uniforms are all authentic for the 1890's. But what I found even more accurate were the Victorian sentiments echoed by the characters: at the beginning of the movie Roosevelt makes a speech about the need for America to assert herself on the world stage as she comes from "warrior races"; later there is a discussion about "the patrician class" needing to be "ennobled" by war. These were commonly held views at the time. The writers wisely refrained from imposing 20th century speech and beliefs on their characters. Certainly the feelings that Americans had at the time about the war would be difficult to understand if they did. The battle sequences are superbly done, while the movie IS about the Rough Riders, the crucial contribution of the all-black 10th Cavalry to the Rough Rider's success both in their early engagements and later at San Juan Hill is well illustrated. However, some scenes were taken right out of every war movie ever made. The first act is basically look-how-this-renegade-band-of-misfits-disdains-army-discipline-to-become-an-outstanding-fighting-organization. I doubt the army of 1898 would have tolerated this anymore than the army of 1998. As another reviewer commented, the correspondent's Homeric commentary in the climax of the movie, while again authentically Victorian in speech and sentiment, was definitely over-the-top and almost embarrassing to watch. Also, the musical score was at times too heavyhanded for the scenes at hand. Finally, although putting the William Randolph Hearst character in Cuba was a good way to juxtapose the reality of the campaign with what the papers were reporting, I don't believe that Hearst was ever there, nor would he have dressed like a Victorian version of a pirate. That being said, it's a richly detailed, and historically accurate story about a little-known but important war in American history. Recommended.

I thought that this film was just glorious! While it starts out very slow and tedious it more than makes up for it by the last 2/3.
The casting was very good as Busey played a very good Gen. Wheeler (although "Fighting Joe" was a much smaller man in size)
Sam Elliot was a perfect match for Bucky O'Neil. That and Tom Beringer made a very fitting performance of Theodore Roosevelt.
(Who has been called a steamroller in trousers, what a stud of a President was he! We sure could use him today!!)By the by TR was awarded a Medal of Honor for his service at San Juan Hill. It was just 82 years late, but thats the Army for you.
The uniforms and weapons were very accurate to my eye as was the use of terrain.All in all I just hope that this film comes out in DVD soon! Well done to all hands involved!

Of all of the recent genre of movies depicting vignettes of American history, Roughriders goes the extra mile to capture the essence, mood and feeling of Victorian America as it flexed it's international muscles for the first time! Berenger and the supporting cast are outstanding, and the battle scenes are among the most accurate ever made. This is a must see!

Rough Riders was a surprise. Did not know much about the life of President Theodore Roosevelt, and knew little if anything as to the events that lead Americans to fight for the independence of Cuba, during the Spanish-American War.

As a Cuban American, I loved watching this film, seeing the efforts of valiant men, willing to give up their lives in search for freedom for a country, just 90 miles away. At some point during the movie, there is a philosophical interchange amongst the characters, where they discuss the reasons that have compelled their actions. They say they are fighting to see fellow men free, but that some think it is all in search of the self interest of a nation that wants Cuba for its sugar. This presented the never ending argument of men sacrificing their lives for ideals, only to be ridiculed by envious people, not willing to sacrifice, and yet ready and willing to put down the efforts of others.

At any rate, it was awesome to know that Theodore Roosevelt was the inspiration behind the war that freed Cuba from the grasps of Spain, but it is with regret that we did not get the same support during the Bay of Pigs, and continue as a nation to be under the grasps of a tyrant, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The movie does a great job in highlighting the 1st US Volunteer Calvary Regiment as a group of heroic men consisting of rich and poor IVY league athletes and leather tough cow pokes, polo players and thieves coming together under the leadership of great men, one Theodore Roosevelt, to overcome and conquer the freedom and independence of Cuba against Spain.

Americans take much for granted when it comes to their heritage, but watching this film gave me the pride of knowing that when I chose to become an American Citizen, I was joining a nation of the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Thanks to this film I now know a bit more about one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America.

There's not much to say here that hasn't been said by others.
This is one great film, historically accurate, and fun too,
while it gets all of this across. Why this is not yet on DVD,
when a great number of lesser films are, is anybody's guess.
I'll add my plea here too: PLEASE get this great film onto a
DVD format!

I really enjoyed this film. Despite its 3 hour length it was gripping and engrossing and I felt very connected to all the characters. A truly worthwhile movie. And I felt educated on a little bit of American history too. Not a bad deal.

The acting was all supurb. For one thing, I felt like Tom Berenger disappeared, and Teddy Roosevelt emerged -- Berenger did such a great job in his roll, I could hardly recognize him after a while! He was Teddy all the way. He had those big horsey teeth and round glasses and after a while you really couldn't see the actor anymore. He was this eccentric, hyper, lovable Teddy Roosevelt fellow, through and through. Absolutely amazing.

I also enjoyed all the costars. Brad Johnson as Henry Nash was really almost as important a character as Roosevelt. He starts out as a selfish weasley guy, and ends proving himself to be much more than he ever intended or believed he could be. A wonderful character.

Sam Elliot is always great in these kinds of movies, and this film is no exception. I also thought Gary Busey was fantastic and fiesty as a Southern General, and I enjoyed every scene he was in. Chris Noth was great as a educated "gentleman" who went to war to prove to himself that he could be brave. Illeana Douglas plays Mrs. Roosevelt, and I think she was a fine choice. Beautiful in an unconventional way, and a devoted wife with a good sense of humor. All these people were very good casting choices.

Some other excellent roles are played by Adam Storke as the writer Stephen Crane -- his "description" of the battle to a fallen companion is stirring indeed. A wonderful scene. And it's always nice to see character actor Geoffrey Lewis (who plays a grizzled old soldier called Eli). I couldn't help rooting for Eric Allan Kramer, (or as I thought of him, "the big blonde guy"), who plays a henpecked husband who "escapes" to war and finally stars living.

There were so many great people in this cast, and the story is laid out so that you get to know each one of them, and care what happens to them. You grieve and mourn when any one of them is hurt, or falls in battle.

Intermingled in with the characters and action is the history of the Spanish American war. It is so well told and directed, it is a pleasure to watch. Great direction by John Milius and rousing score by John and Peter Bernstein.

Highly recommended!

Rough Riders is a film that depicts one segment of the life of Theodre Roosevelt. It is a film that is a constellation of people, some at the end of their careers and some just starting out. It is a film that depicts the events the assault on Cuba in the Spanish-American War and the events which lead up to it and subsequent actions. It is a film that is not about one man but a group and it is the group of actors that makes this film work so well. There are the big names, Tom Berenger, Gary Busey, an ailing Brian Keith, George Hamilton and Sam Elliott. But there is a steller cast of supporting actors that make this ensemble work so well.

We see a young and vigerous Theodore Roosevelt, anxious to serve, leave his adminsitrative post of Assistant Secretary of the Navy to assume the role of second in command of a volunteer cavalry regiment, known as the Rough Riders. He is there to support the efforts of the commanding officer, Colonel Leonard Wood, to mold cowboys, indians, thieves and polo players into an effective fighting body. That Wood is able to do this so well is a tribute to his leadership and the enthusiasm of Roosevelt and the men who make up the command. Dale Dye givesa very believeable performance of this physician turned cavalry officer.

We see the effective end of 19th century warfare, single shot rifles and large formations of troops facing each other and the introduction of open warfare and effective use of machine guns. It was unfortunate that the military observers who were present in Cuba did not effectively report on the value of a machine gun to the British and French governments.

This film was also a major reunification of the north and south. Gary Busey's Joseph Wheeler is tremendous, although in actual life, Wheeler was quite short and wizened. But it is his fighting spirit that is effectively translated to us. In times of stress Wheeler had a tendency to forget who the enemy was and refer to the Spaniards as Yankees. Fortunately his son and aide serves as the peace-keeper for dad's mis-statements.

You see very few women in this film. You see the men leaving their wives and girl friends to go to war, from Wood and Roosevelt to the private soldiers. The events in Texas and Cuba are shown as almost a fraternity and not inappropriately either. We shouldn't make the mistake of assigning values of the 21st Century to the end of the 19th Century. You also see an aspect of American life that is less glamerous - the segregated Army - black soldiers lead by white officers. It may have been wrong, but that was the way it was done. The portrayal is accurate - soldiers respecting their officers and officers respecting their men. Officers who served in black regiments ran the risk of being seen as less effective officers than those in white regiments. Fortunately for John Pershing, he met Roosevelt and served with him in Cuba and the latter remembered him when he was President. One instance when service in a black regiment was beneficial. Incidently, the black members of the Army were amongst the most experienced and skilled long service soldiers that could be put in the field. They well showed thier skill and valor.

I could go to great length and describe all the actors and thier rolls. Suffice it to say that space precludes this. However, all rolls are well played. You almost get the feeling that these are professional soldiers you were watching. This extends from the military to the diplomatic to the purely commercial as we see William Randolph Hearst encouraging military intervention by sending reporters into Cuba in advance of the Army.

This is a film that all who have an interest in American history should see. It is as much a social commentary as military film. It portrays the many aspects of the Spanish-AMerican War. It shows well, the enthusiasm of men rushing to enlist and the disillusionment of some of the survivors as they return to empty homes where wives and children have left them. It is a well made film that records a segment of our history, right or wrong, but events that happended. It is well worth the rental fee.

No video, in my estimation, rivals this production for its authentic portrayal of the times and conditions surrounding the events of the Spanish-American War. The actors were superb in the interpretation of the characters involved. One has a sense of being there and witnessing the unfolding of a great drama in which tyranny and freedom for the Cuban people clash in a mighty struggle to free the island from the imperial Spaniards. Berenger's role is too convincing for he nearly captures completely the whole personna of TR himself. One hangs on every word spoken for even the dialogue is a deserving treat. Every aspect of this film , from its beginning to its conclusion, is riveting and thoroughly entertaining. On a personal level, I have replayed it several times and will undoubtedly continue doing so. As "Lonesome Dove" is a classic in the Western genre, Rough Riders is the equivalent of the best war piece ever produced.I highly reccomend its purchase for it is unlikely that we shall see a similarly great movie such as this.