Rough Riders (1997)

That was an excellent one.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

A stupendous historical film about Teddy Roosevelt and the individuals who made up the famous Rough Riders during the Spanish American War. Spectacular in scope but never neglecting the intimate personal stories of the participants, this is a sprawling adventure as well as a tribute to these bigger-than-life icons who brought the Spanish Empire to its knees. John Milius directs with his usual skill and bravado, depicting both the grandeur, glory, and ultimate horror of war in expertly produced battle scenes. Tom Berenger is superb as Roosevelt, doing much more than an impersonation but capturing the humanity and heart of the man himself. It is good to see President McKinley played by Brian Keith (who portrayed Teddy Roosevelt himself in Milius' magnificent The Wind and the Lion), although this is sadly his last screen role. Overall, a fine historical story with an outstanding cast. It is sad Hollywood doesn't make many of these kinds of movies and that John Milius isn't given the opportunity to direct them more often. Rousing, inspiring, moving, and unashamedly patriotic, Rough Riders is both history brought to life and thrilling adventure.

This three-hour, made-for-cable TV in America story of Cuban battles in the Spanish-American War was good enough to sit through once but not edited well enough to see it again. I say "edited" because, after the short stage-coach robbery scene in the first minute or two, nothing much happens for almost an hour. Then, for the rest of the film - 90 to 120 minutes - it's almost non-stop action. After awhile, with only a few very short lulls, you get tired of it. All the shooting and cannons, etc., become too repetitive and get boring.Also, for those who assume, as I did, that this film is a biography of sorts of Theodore Roosvelt, before he became President of the United States, might be a bit disappointed. You do see him, and he's a major figure in this long story, but there is no real central character in here. The film gives a fair amount of screen time to a handful of people, not just Teddy. There is no real star in this story.Tom Berenger must have done a pretty good job because I wouldn't have known it was him had I not read about this before seeing it. Whether it was his pronounced choppers, or odd way of speaking, it didn't sound or look like the actor. However, it was good to get some glimpse of what our former President was like as you don't often see "Teddy" portrayed on film. This also gave us a good insight on the Spanish-American war, another historic event not often seen on film. I wonder how many people even know that "San Juan Hill," which helped make Roosevelt famous, is located in Cuba?For a TV-film, the action scenes were well-done and it appeared no expenses were spared in making this movie. A little more action in the first hour, and a little less in the next two, would have made this film more interesting.

I did enjoy the movie a great deal and was able to look past some of the historical errors, (hard for a military historian). One major point is the inclusion of Fredrick Funston in the film. Funston is truly a character worth a film of his own, small town Kansa boy (Iola, Ks) makes good. While he did fight in Cuba it was prior to the Spanish American War. He was recovering from wounds in the US at the time of the war. He did raise a volunteer regiment, the 20th Kansas that later saw action in the Philippines where Funston and Privates Trembly and White of the 20th Kansas all received the Medal of Honor. Funston was later a key player in the great San Fransico earthquake and on the Mexican border prior to WW I. He was slated to command all American forces in WWI when he died suddenly in 1916 in San Antonio. The command then went to Pershing.

This movie combines the best elements of western and war movies. Fantastic cast. Berenger is outstanding as Roosevelt. Who would have thought he would be so good in this role? From his other movies I've seen, this is a totally different type of role for him. And Sam Elliot, Gary Busey, Chris Noth, George Hamilton, and all the rest of the cast are outstanding. Wonderful casting job.What a sleeper this movie is. I can't believe it's out of print, and never even been issued on DVD. Get a used copy if you possible can. You won't be sorry! WW Tampa