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Jack Bull, The (DVD)

John Cusack stars as a 19th-century Wyoming horse trader who obsessively pursues a difficult and dangerous vendetta against a rancher who abused two of the his horses and their Indian caretaker.

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The Jack Bull was produced for and premiered on HBO, but it's easily the most respectable job that feature director John Badham (Saturday Night Fever, WarGames) has done in the past two decades. The title refers not to a piece of livestock but a metaphorical Jack Russell terrier that, once it's annoyed enough to close its jaws on something, will hang on to the point of death.

That would be Myrl Redding (John Cusack), a horse-breeder of limited means but a deeply entrenched sense of justice. His independence galls Henry Ballard (L.Q. Jones), the crusty land baron out to set his brand on most of the countryside. Ballard insults and cheats Redding several times over, and his men beat Redding's horse trainer and friend, an Indian (Rodney A. Grant). When Redding seeks redress from the law, its agents can't be bothered (the local magistrate is in Ballard's pocket). So Redding musters a vigilante army to enforce his own law.

Scratch this handsome but rigorously unromanticized Western--fully an hour passes without a shot being fired--and you find the classic Heinrich von Kleist book Michael Kohlhaas transposed to Wyoming Territory on the eve of statehood. The script--by the star-producer's dad, Dick Cusack--is sturdy and uncompromising, willing to engage the knotty ambiguities of embracing vigilantism even in a just cause. Badham's decision to treat the authorities (Scott Wilson, Jay O. Sanders, John Goodman) as period caricatures is regrettable. But John Cusack is solid as a figure of utterly matter-of-fact integrity. --Richard T. Jameson

Product details

Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 0.71 ounces
Item model number ‏ : ‎ Relay Time: 116 min
Director ‏ : ‎ John Badham
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 43 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ February 8, 2005
Actors ‏ : ‎ John Cusack, John Goodman, L.Q. Jones, Miranda Otto, John C. McGinley
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ French, Spanish
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, Spanish, French
Producers ‏ : ‎ Kevin Reidy, John Cusack, John McGinley, Steve Pink, Thomas J. Mangan IV
Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Studio ‏ : ‎ HBO Studios
ASIN ‏ : ‎ 6305504024
Writers ‏ : ‎ Dick Cusack
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Best Sellers Rank: #7,347 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #123 in Westerns (Movies & TV)
- #739 in Action & Adventure DVDs

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FRED C. DOBBS

OUTSTANDING BUT TRAGIC WESTERN SAGA IS A TV MOVIE CLASSIC

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2009

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Unlike many of my favorite movies, will only be able to see this one about every 5 years. Why? It's a terrific movie but, geez, it's gut-wrenchingly sad. It's about a young idealistic horse breeder [Myrl Redding played by John Cusack] who seeks justice when two of his prized stallions are abused and ruined by an imperious land baron with whom he has political and ideological differences. When the local legal system fails him he decides to rely on his inborn human rights and natural law to procure justice. This movie is basically a reminder of the innumerous flaws inherent in the human condition and in human behavior especially with regard to the attainment of objective truth from which justice emanates. However, obtaining the truth is easier said than done here as special interests, self interests, inertia, conformity, avarice and egoism serve to obscure it. The 'don't stir the pot' & 'don't burn your bridges' principles are in full force here as local law officials just can't seem to help this guy. Redding's cheesy, weak lawyer is a spineless dud. The local judge and the land-baron tyrant, Ballard [played deliciously well by veteran L.Q. Jones], are pals. The local Sheriff is a lying dog. Redding's wife, Cora---played endearingly by Miranda Otto in a GREAT though short-lived performance---tries to aid her impulsive spouse by getting his OK to travel to the soon-to-be State capitol of Cheyanne to ask the State attorney general for help. Her efforts are fruitless and, in a paralyzing moment for the viewer, Myrl's "miracle" is tragically run over by a runaway stagecoach. This is a riveting scene that is notable for the detached, insouciant fashion that townsfolk [including the attorney general who shows up] deal with the tragedy, going about their business without any sense of urgency as the broken woman lay dying. Tough to take scene when Redding's right-hand man and close friend Woody [played by vet John McGinley of PLATOON fame], who was Cora's escort and was responsible for her well-being, returns to the farm with her body. Redding blames himself and all hell breaks loose thereafter as he mounts his relentless 'no killing/no blood spilling' campaign for justice. He rounds up local townfolk and drifters to support him but the bottom line is he's gotta pay them for their 'courage' and allegiance. Redding proceeds to burn Ballard into exodus and burn down the property of anyone who protects or conceals him. A couple of problems prop up, however, as two people get killed and Redding gets the blame. He is now an accused murderer---public support now beginning to wane as he is arrested and sent to trial. Fine performances by Scott Wilson [IN COLD BLOOD & IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, both 1967] as the bumbling, self-serving Governor of Wyoming, John Savage [DEER HUNTER, 1978] as Ballard's annoyingly sadistic hand, and a superbly effective performance by Glenn Morshower who has a great curt response to Redding's question regarding the alternative to refusing the State's offer of amnesty. John Goodman, though, steals the show late in the film as the no-nonsense, fact-finding and sympathetic judge who sets everybody straight. GREAT performance by Fred Flintstone, here. Fueled by the lies of corrupt witnesses a Jury finds Redding guilty [unjustly] of murder and sentenced to hang. The hanging scenario is stark, poignant and plain scary. Notably, Redding displays little emotion as he matter-of-factly gives his son last instructions. No fear here as his life probably ended long before when his cherished and adored wife was killed. The often wooden Cusack here gives an outstanding performance---his countenance alone bespeaking his tenacity, his innate sense of justice, his conviction. The scene where his body is removed from the gallows was haunting and well done. Kudos here to a wonderful screenplay, awe-inspiring cinematography---probably among the best in ANY Western [sorry John Ford] and great acting by all involved. This is a GREAT 'sleeper' Western, a classic in my book. You will be glued to your seat.

8 people found this helpful

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Lily Dreiling

A Wyoming story, I truly like with John Cusack.

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023

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This movie is full of country.

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2010

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This western was a complete surprise. I'm not a huge John Cusack fan, he's a good actor and I do enjoy some of his movies, but never thought of him as a 'westerner/cowboy' person in a movie. John's performance is near perfect. L.Q. Jones (Dakota in Lone Wolf McQuade, Sims in Red River) as well as John Goodman step up and give excellent performances. Visually the movie is stunning with the landscapes, realistic street and interior scenes, and the way the director used lighting to enhance the moment. The story remimds me of some of Louis L'amour books but handles a topic that's not real easy to do without being sappy.
Myrl Redding(Cusack) is a horse breeder with deeply entrenched 'right and just values'. When the local 'power guy' Henry Ballard (L.Q. Jones), buys so much of the land then puts up a toll 'gate' the story begins. Redding is taking a string of horses to market. Two of which( 2 beautiful Black stallions) are already sold to be delivered. Redding doesn't have the $10 toll so, Ballard says he can leave the two Blacks there as 'security' until he comes back through with the money from sale. Redding reluctantly agrees and leaves one of his hands to watch over them. By the time Redding returns, the 2 Blacks have been worked, mistreated, beaten and in really bad shape. The hand was beaten and run off. Redding vows that Ballard will make it right by restoring the horses to health and pay his hand $50. Ballard refuses of course. The plot instensifies with the typical 'Town Judge' in Ballard's pocket and the people of town afraid to do anything against the most powerful man in the area.
The movie takes several predictable as well as undpredictable turns as the tension and story develop. John Goodman plays his part of Judge in Cheyenne to perfection. He's both honest and just as well as understanding politics of a town trying to become a capitol and wyoming trying to become a state.
Very few movies warrant watching again and again for the story, acting, and quality. The Jack Bull definitely does and will become a permanent part of my Western DVD's along with some of John Wayne's, Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck. If you're a western fan, this is a must have right along with Crossfire Trail, Unforgiven, The Good the Bad the Ugly, Tombstone, Silverado, and Hang em High to name a few.

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Plank Spanker

Good Western Domino Effect....

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2012

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I just finished watching The Jack Bull and thought it was a very good, true to life western drama. It was what might happen when one event leads to the next, and then to the next, and so on like a domino effect. A horse rancher, Myrl Redding (played by John Cusack), is a honest hardworking man who is wronged by a rich cattleman played by L.Q. Jones as Henry Ballard. He has the town, the sherriff, and the local judge in his pocket, but not Redding. Ballard feels he is the law and uses his station in life and money to corrupt situations for his own ends. Redding, on the other hand, is motivated by a deep since of justice, so much so it is a flaw, leading him to make decisions and follow courses of action that sometimes have consequences he fails to foresee. John Goodman turns in an exceptional performance as an ethical judge with the responsibility of following the rule of law even when that rule falls short of true justice. While it does have several action sequences it tends to cultivate the drama which sometimes results in those events.

IMO it is a different kind of western than it is sometimes compared to, films such as Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood,) Tombstone (Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer) and the like, which are a slightly better to me. Though not an epic film itself, it is more along the line with Dances With Wolves in it's approach to storytelling. It is a good watch, and especially so if your a fan of Dances With Wolves, Wyatt Earp etc. But if you enjoy Unforgiven, Outlaw Josey Wales, Tombstone and the like more, it will fall a little short for you. It is, though, a good addition to a western collection.

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terry

Western

Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2021

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It was a good movie.

ruggero

La crudele giustizia

Reviewed in Italy on December 7, 2013

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The Jack Bull di John Badham - USA 1999 (Finalmente doppiato anche in italiano..-dopo 15 anni dalla sua uscita).Un film bellissimo e terribile, molto americano,asciutto e essenziale. Il senso di giustizia del protagonista è universale, ma la strada perseguita per ottenerla e il prezzo finale da pagare sono di una logica crudele,seppure impeccabile: tutti combatterebbero per farsi giustizia, ma quanti accetterebbero con giustizia anche la propria morte?Il finale lascia senza fiato. E' un film per capire le radici profonde degli USA, i loro valori e tradizioni sulla libertà e la giustizia. Bellissima e chiara frase del protagonista prima di salire al patibolo:"...ho agito obbedendo ad una legge non scritta,una legge che non ho inventato io,ma che esisteva ancor prima che nascessi".Finale terribile,ma dal profondo significato morale,etico e umano.Come il solito,l'enorme John Goodman ruba la scena a tutti.

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Maren Gasenzer

interessante Westernverfilmung des Kohlhaas-Stoffes

Reviewed in Germany on September 9, 2011

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Ich habe diesen Film für meine Kursoberstufe gekauft, die den Michael Kohlhaas als Abiturlektüre lesen "musste", um zu zeigen, dass die Handlung mit ihrer Problematik auf viele Situationen anwendbar ist. Der Film ist sehr gut gemacht und ausgezeichnet gespielt, und auch wenn einiges verändert wurde, ist der Plot gut wiederzuerkennen. Eine Bereicherung für den für Jugendliche etwas schalen Unterrichtsstoff!

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Mr. Stephen Kennedy

On a par with Unforgiven

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2006

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What fantastic value DVD this is. Hard to believe this was a TV movie - kudos to HBO, once again.

This is an un-romanticised view of the West - telling it like it was. A man of integrity might get justice in one way, but it will cost him dearly in another. From photography in washed out colours, to the slow burn build of events that means guns don't actually get used until late in the movie, this is set out to be both realistic and unflinching. This asks the question - Just what is the value of going vigilante? What is the real cost? Is getting the justice you ask for worth any price? And the wonderful (and certainly non -Hollywood) thing is, you are left to make up your own mind, there are no easy answers.

John Cusack is just terrific here - you might find it a stretch to see him in a Western, but he is utterly credible in a tough role. Miranda Otto as his wife is perfect casting, and in fact the whole supporting cast is spot on - except maybe some of the chief decision makers of the territory who are somewhat two dimensional. Enjoy John C. McGinley (Perry from `Scrubs') in a minor role, and John Goodman in a pivotal role - albeit only in the last third of the movie.

Music by Lennie Niehaus is similar but less minimalist than his score to Unforgiven, and adds in a wonderful way to the poignancy of the movie, along with some spectacular landscapes which crop up from time to time. I'm sure Dick Cusacks (john's dad) would be proud of the end result of his script, produced by his son.

Don't be put off by the fact this is a TV movie - it certainly rises way beyond its genesis to be something of a classic, born from the mould of `Unforgiven'.

17 people found this helpful

Santana

Review of product & of Amazon's service level

Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2020

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Excellent , and product in perfect condition and service impeccable

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Genre	Westerns, Suspense, Action & Adventure
Format	Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled
Contributor	John C. McGinley, Thomas J. Mangan IV, Steve Pink, John Badham, Jay O. Sanders, Dick Cusack, John McGinley, L.Q. Jones, Kevin Reidy, John Savage, Rodney A. Grant, John Cusack, Scott Wilson, Heinrick von Kleist, Miranda Otto, John Goodman See more
Language	English, Spanish
Runtime	1 hour and 43 minutes