The Jack Bull

Amazon.com

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

Description

When wealthy landowner Henry Ballard sets up a toll gate and takes two of Myrl Redding?s horses in lieu of payment, Redding is enraged. But when those horses are starved and beaten almost to death, he demands justice. So begins a personal feud that becomes a war .. a war that becomes a manhunt ... and a trial that will lead to a bloody kind of Western justice.

Customer Reviews:

"Myrl Redding didn't fail the law.The law failed Myrl.".......2007-02-17

I had never heard of this movie when I saw it in the store.It seemed to have all the makings of a western,but I hadn't associated John Cusack or John Goodman with Westerns.I was also not familiar with most of the other actors in the movie.One of the liner notes stated,"Gritty western harks back to John Wayne and Clint Eastwood classics.".Since that would be a lot to stand up to,I thought I would give it a try.
Was I ever impressed! This is a fine crafted Western movie in all respects. It has a great storyline that grabs your attention right in the beginning and holds it completely up to the end .Just as the story comes to its unusual end ,and we don't want to let go; we are eased back to reality with a moving song and music by Bob Dylan,"Ring Them Bells",sung by himself.
This gripping saga is quite unlike any Western that I can think of. When I finished ,I read all the reviews and found some real interesting things.The story is based on a book written way back in the year 1810.And that it was written in German and had nothing to do with America and the Old West.It must have been a teriffic piece of creative work to adapt it to the location and time of Wyoming Territory obtaining statehood.The outdoor scenes were filmed around Calgary,Alberta and the movie is filled with excellent scenery and excellent use of photography in creating appropriate moods and atmosphere.While there is some shooting,it is very minimal,except for the scene where the Military uses massive gunfire and even a Gatlin gun to mow down a few Indians in an ambush. The movie deals with a lot about personl feelings,corruption and outrageous application of justice. In the fast development of the Old West, during the times when these areas were Territories,it was no time for delaying or unlawful application of justice. Redding,who was being unjustly treated by people and their misuse of power;gave the "system' a chance to work;failing that,he had no other recourse than to take matters in his own hand,and get his justice.
This movie brings home the idea that;

"Justice delayed is justice denied."

This is a fine,powerful story with a lot of thought ,meaning and feeling ,so well crafted that it certainly ranks up there with the best.It deserves to be considered a classic for many reasons.

In the same class as Unforgiven.......2007-02-06

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'.

The Jack Bull: A good TV movie.......2005-10-17

HBO did a good job making this movie. Actors such as John Cusack and John Goodman add a seriousness and flavor that might not be brought out by anyone else. Both Johns are supported by a very able cast and a wonderful script by Cusack's father, Bill. Directed by John Badham, who makes great use of the scenery, compels watchers back to turn of the century Wyoming territory. But the grit on the actors and the harshness of the conditions portray a reality that could easily been lost by less competent hands.

WOW.......2005-10-11

AT first, I gotta admit, I did not really like it. But I kept thinking about it, and I knew there was more to this movie.
The acting is unreal, excellent, the best. There is no doubt. John and Goodman.. WOW.
I read other's reviews, and then I pondered, YES.. this was a great movie. It has so much more then other westerns. It explores more, it reaches farther, and give it a try.. I doubt you will not be pleased it touched your life.

Gripping.......2005-09-10

If you are a John Cusack or Western fan then you will like this movie. Gripping from the opening scene, "The Jack Bull" takes you a dramatic tale of life on the frontier in the 1800s. John Goodman does an excellent job playing the fair, but just judge.

Average customer rating:

I've seen Sting wrestle on TV
Sting: Moment of truth
Sting: Peace and Blessings,Bro
Movie wasn't all that, but God Bless Sting!
I loved it

Sting: Moment of Truth
Starring: Steve Borden , Donnie Fallgatter , Liz Byler , Bert Prentice , and Jeff Jarrett
Director: George King (XIII)
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000EOTVZ2
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Description

Sting (Steve Borden) captures the imagination of the wrestling world in a way that few have. This wrestling superstar has appeared to more than half a billion people worldwide in live and broadcast events, and his exploits in the ring with fellow wrestling stars like Hulk Hogan, Hall and Nash, Ric Flair, the Horsemen, Lex Luger and many others became legendary in the world of professional wrestling. Now Sting: Moment of Truth takes you into the ring to see, feel and hear the ballet of brute force that is professional wrestling in a dramatic film that tells the life story of this international megastar. Feel the Sting and come to know his ultimate Moment of Truth!

Customer Reviews:

I've seen Sting wrestle on TV.......2007-08-11

Sting starts out as a blond, then he gets dark hair but he always had the face makeup. He is great.

Sting: Moment of truth.......2007-01-11

This movie is great! It shows the power and the mercy of God in the life of anyone who will let Him enter into their heart (in many cases in our darkest hour or moment of greater need) and how, through Jesus Christ's sacrifice, we can all be saved.

Sting: Peace and Blessings,Bro.......2006-10-23

I've been a fan of Sting's since he debuted with the Ultimate Warrior as a tag team back in the UWF with Bill Watts. The movie is an awesome story and testimony chronicling Sting's life behind the scenes and off camera, particularly his inner struggles and conflicts and a a spiritual journey that led him to Christ and the restoration of his inner peace and family. A great movie, however, while I waws touched by the story, I was hoping for more footage of Steve Borden in action, maybe even a few matches...which would've been a 1st(a Christian wrestling superstar anthology)...but oh well, Sting's still the man. God Bless You,Bro. ~*REDD*~

Movie wasn't all that, but God Bless Sting!.......2006-09-15

I saw the movie. I wasn't all that impressed, but his journey to return to Jesus, is commendable. God Bless Steve Borden and his family.

I loved it.......2006-08-31

I enjoyed it very much. I like that it had steve borden the actual sting play in it. It showed his career cool and showed he had problems. It did not go into detail about his problems but it showed who he was in a way only a movie can bring. It is in one of my top 10 favorite movie list. That is only because I am a die hard wrestling fan. I loved it

Average customer rating:

Savage Justice
Starring: Julia Montgomery , Steven Memel , Ruel Vernal , Ester Chavez , and Millicent Bautista
Director: Joey Romero
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008ZZ9G
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Average customer rating:

Savage Justice
Starring: Anthony East , Craig Walter Judd , Steven Memel , Ken Metcalfe , and Julia Montgomery
Director: Joey Romero
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AP04XI
Release Date: 2005-08-04

Cyclone/Delos Adventure/Tormentors/Savage Justice

Average customer rating:

Cyclone/Delos Adventure/Tormentors/Savage Justice
Starring: Cyclone , Delos Adventure , Tormentors , and Savage Justice
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000AGTQH2
Release Date: 2005-08-23

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