"Ride with the Devil," released in 1999, tells a Civil War story centered around Southern guerrilla fighters—Bushwhackers—primarily young men who launched bold attacks on Union forces and communities along the Missouri/Kansas border. The narrative incorporates Quantrill's notorious 1863 raid on Lawrence, Kansas, where his men set fires, looted, and murdered over 150 unarmed men, women, and children. The film focuses on the experiences of a German immigrant’s son (Tobey Maguire), a beautiful woman (Jewel), and an ex-slave (Jeffrey Wright), all embracing the Southern cause. I found it rewarding to watch Tobey and Wright's characters gradually develop a close friendship, as well as Wright’s increasing sense of freedom throughout the story. Jewel delivers an impressive debut performance; she seems naturally gifted on screen and should take on more film roles. One reviewer mistakenly reported that the movie had a runtime of 3 hours, so I was surprised when the credits began after just 2 hours and 13 minutes. Actually, I felt let down because I wanted to see more—a positive sign, really, indicating a worthwhile film. The story unfolds deliberately, slowly drawing you in. Before seeing "Ride with the Devil," I saw the new Indiana Jones movie, "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." The contrast was striking; “Crystal Skull” feels like a 2-hour Road Runner cartoon, while "Ride" is a realistic drama/Western. While I enjoyed “Crystal Skull” for what it is, it’s impossible to take seriously, especially given the exaggerated action and obviously fake CGI scenery (cliffs, waterfalls, jungles, monkeys, etc.). "Ride with the Devil" provides a welcome alternative to that kind of silly nonsense. It's grounded in reality and allows you time to get to know the characters and feel what they’re going through. For example, what is it like spending an entire winter in a dugout hut in the woods with three other men, with the only bright spot being a pretty blonde who brings food? What does it feel like when you have no choice but to amputate a friend's arm? What happens when a bloodthirsty comrade tries to kill you during battle and then you encounter him again two years later, unsure of his intentions? The film was shot in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas, the actual locations where these conflicts occurred. Authentic settings are important to me, or at least places that look authentic ("Cold Mountain" was filmed in Romania, but the scenery resembled western North Carolina). After all, how can we accept a film’s depiction of history if it wasn't shot where the events happened, or in places that convincingly resemble them? I suggest watching "Ride with the Devil" with subtitles turned on because the language can be difficult to understand due to accents and old-fashioned phrasing; this will help you keep track of what’s happening and who everyone is. Overall, "Ride with the Devil" shares qualities in style and substance with films like “Cold Mountain,” “Pharaoh's Army," and "The Long Riders." If those movies appeal to you, you’ll likely enjoy "Ride.” It’s far superior to the often detached and dull “Gettysburg.” This is a top-quality film that vividly portrays Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, along with what led up to it and its aftermath—how could that possibly be bad? GRADE: A

Source on TMDB