Rough Riders (1997)

In 1898 the US government, led by Theodore Roosevelt (Tom Berenger) back when he was still a young, ambitious Naval Secretary, intervenes on the side of the Cuban rebels in their struggle against Spanish rule. Always ready for action, Roosevelt leaves the confines of the sidelines and forms a volunteer cavalry regiment which later became infamously known as the "Rough Riders." Roosevelt's regiment brings together volunteers from all corners of the nation to fight against a far superior adversary in one of the most rousing victories in American history.

 Spanish American War historical mini series
I enjoyed this movie having little knowledge of the Spanish American War. I can't speak to the historical accuracy or any artistic license taken, but I found that the plot flowed well and showed a variety of technologies or war from that period and the "fog of war" at a time when communication was difficult if not impossible in war. I particularly thought Tom Beringer's portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt to be well done and hardly recognized the actor although I enjoy a number of Beringer's other movies. If you enjoy various historical period war movies this is one to add to your collection. April 26, 2008

 Great Movie
This is one of my all time favorite "war" movies. The historical accuracy is pretty good, the action scenes are intense but not too over the top, and the acting is excellent. Both Sam Elliott and Gary Busey are perfectly cast; Elliott as the Arizona Sheriff turned Rough Rider Captain and Busey as the aged and slightly mad General "Fightin' Joe" Wheeler. I loved the inclusion of historically significant issues such as the Spanish-American War's role in healing Southern animosity to the Army and the federal government and the important contribution of "Black Jack" Pershing's "buffalo soldiers." I felt the depiction of Roosevelt was perhaps a bit cartoonish but well acted and extremely entertaining. I enjoyed the attention to terrain and tactics that are so often lacking in many "war" movies but seem to be a staple of Turner productions (Gettysburg, Gods and Generals, The Hunley). The movie creates characters that interest you without having any absurd time-consuming "love story" (ala "Pearl Harbor") to distract you from the real plot. If you are an American History buff I strongly recommend this movie. April 7, 2008

 Roosevelt and the Rough Riders...
1997's "The Rough Riders" was originally broadcast as a two-part television movie. Its exceptional quality and compelling story have given it a long afterlife, first on VHS and now on DVD.

The United States went to war with Spain in 1898 over the status of Cuba, a Spanish colony in rebellion. Theodore Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was one of the most outspoken advocates of war against Spain. Once the war was underway, Roosevelt put his money where his rhetoric had been and helped organize a volunteer cavalry regiment for the anticipated campaign in Cuba. The regiment, thanks in part to Roosevelt's recruiting efforts, was an unusual mixture of cowboys, desperadoes, Ivy League athletes, and some old sweats from the Regular Army.

The movie follows the Rough Riders to Cuba, where they fought dismounted for lack of transport to move their cavalry mounts. The Rough Riders would distinguish themselves in the assault on the Spanish lines outside Santiago De Cuba, in the famous charge up San Juan Hill. Roosevelt's leadership of the Rough Riders was the making of his political career. He would become, successively, Governor of New York, Vice President, and President of the United States, and would receive a posthumous Medal of Honor for San Juan Hill.

The movie is extraordinarily well-cast. Tom Berenger is pitch-perfect as Roosevelt, with his boundless enthusiasm making up for a lack of military experience. Gary Busey is priceless as General Wheeler, an aging former Confederate officer who commanded the U.S. expedition to Cuba and occasionally forgot who he was fighting. Chris Noth has a brillant cameo as one of the Ivy Leaguers, quoting Shakespeare's "Henry V" during the famous charge. Sam Elliot does his standard stalwart turn as Bucky O'Neill, one of the NCO's who helped whip the regiment into fighting trim in time for the move to Cuba.

This movie is very highly recommended both as an entertaining movie and as a painless piece of education on a largely forgotten war.
March 9, 2008

 Rough riders indeed!
I don't know a lot about the US-Spanish war in Cuba, but I did like this dramatisation of parts of it! Mind you, I could watch Gary Busey standing at the street corner and like it, but seriously, thought this was a good story, well told. February 27, 2008

 Great fun!
Great rousing story of heroism and sacrifice with scenes of nobility, cowardice, and redemption. Required viewing for my boys.... November 13, 2007

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