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.
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April 4, 2008
#1
While the film looks good the biggest problem I have is that the producers put German machine gunners fighting on the side of the Spanish!!!!!!! How ludicrous. The American expedition to Cuba was accompanied by a German military observer. In any case being a student of the Spanish-American war if the Spanish had had machine guns operated by Germans or other wise the US ground war in Cuba would have failed.
God only knows why the producers couldn’t follow reality but it killed an otherwise “watchable” movie.
April 5, 2008
#2
I was really looking forward to movie. My goal was to expand my understanding of this historical period. Many of the scenes looked like they used old sets from the 50′s Westerns and the lighting technique was disappointing, these alone did not turn me off from watching. My real gripe about the movie was the dialogue and the acting. Within the first 10 minutes of the movie, a stage coach is robbed, my attention was drawn to the portrayals by the actors. They were not believable and the dialogue just sounded like something that came out of book for young readers. Later, when alerted that the posse is nearly upon them, the other rider responds with such uncharacterist language for a male ruffian that I laughed. As the movie plodded forward, scene after scene left me wondering, how quickly was this thrown together and how come they didn’t rehearse more. I felt my patience to endure several more hours an unfair punishment. I generally try to watch a movie entirely but frankly, I think it was an embarrassment and waste of time. Maybe it got better (that is why I gave it two stars) but I find that doubtful. I am wondering if both Tom Berrenger and the other author missed to many classes of Script Writing 101.
April 5, 2008
#3
I am a junior in high school and for the past three days our history class has watched this film. I respected its point and purpose, but I must say it was one of the most uneventful and unexciting films I have ever seen. It never grabs your attention and starts to get repetitive. Unless you plan on a nap, I don’t recommend this film.
April 5, 2008
#4
I had looked forward to seeing THE ROUGH RIDERS, but my expectation for a good film was not met by this movie.
The film does have a wonderful cast of actors, and that drew me to the story. Gary Busey was terrific. Sam Elliot, George Hamilton and Chris Noth were all very good and believable in their roles. Illeana Douglas as Mrs. Roosevelt was wonderful.
My problem was with the way that Tom Berenger played the part of Teddy Roosevelt. He portrayed Roosevelt as a bumbling idiot. I can’t believe that Berenger, who usually does a good job, got so off track with the part of Roosevelt. He tripped over objects; he bumped into people and even knocked them out of the way when he was in a hurry. Yes, I believe that Teddy Roosevelt was a man of action, but this depiction was an insult to his memory. Roosevelt was essential to this story and I was not able to enjoy much of the movie because his part was unacceptable to me.
I do enjoy movies and know that poetic license is a way of life for movie makers and I understand that; however, I find it unforgivable and offensive to mislead the audience when showing a real person. In this period of our history, children and adults don’t read as much as they did in previous times. Unfortunately, a lot of information is learned and accepted because someone saw it in a movie. I believe that filmmakers have an obligation to portray historical figures in a true and honest fashion.
April 5, 2008
#5
Tom Berenger’s potrayal of Theodore Roosevelt is a travesty. He giggles like a ninny and bares his teeth and acts as hyper as a Saturday Hight Live parody. No one would follow such a man. I can’t believe the reviews praising his portrayal as great acting.
Stephen Crane is caracatured as a fey drunk who spouts flowery rhetoric in an unwatchable, embarassing performance.
Sam Elliot repeats his usual grizzled-hard-bitten act that he did so well in Gettysburg. Chris Noth is good; he almost makes up for his cloying Mr. Big on Sex and The City.
The battle scenes in this movie are of the same quality as Gettysburg i.e. excellent in a PG view of battle that seems old-fashioned after one views Platoon or Blackhawk Down.
P.S. The Spanish-American War was NOT a harbinger of WWI; it was actually one of the last of the small 19th century wars which would end with the Italian war for Tripoli in 1911. The mass slaughter of WWI would make TR’s attempt to replay his 1898 heroics in 1917 appear out of touch with reality.