1999, 2 hrs, Rated R for graphic war violence. Dir: Ang Lee. Cast: Skeet Ulrich (Jack Bull Chiles), Tobey Maguire (Jake Roedel), Jewel (Sue Lee Shelley), Jeffrey Wright (Daniel Holt).

Civil War Themes: "On the Western front of Missouri, the American Civil War was fought not by armies, but by neighbors. Informal gangs of local Southern Bushwackers fought a bloddy and desperate guerilla war against the occupying Union army and pro-union Jayhawkers. Allegiance to either side was dangerous. But it was more dangerous still to find oneself caught in the middle." (From the opening credits)

Battles/Moments: Gunfights among a few men to a few dozen; guerilla warfare between Confederate Bushwackers and Yankee Jayhawks; a few hundred Bushwackers invade, kill almost every male and burn and loot Lawrence, Kansas, home of their ire towards Federals, in Quantrill's Raid.

Ang Lee, recently being lauded for his direction of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, first took on a tale of the American Civil War, Ride With the Devil. The film didn't last long in theaters, despite some favorable reviews.

Perhaps it was the subject matter, the awkward cast or that it was long and largely uneventful. I say awkward for the cast because although it includes Tobey Maguire, who is just now being recognized as a talent, his co-stars include Skeet Ulrich (of the forgettable Chill Factor and as lunatic Billy in Scream) and singer Jewel in her film debut.

Ride With the Devil has some good moments and was interesting, considering I haven't read much on the guerilla warfare in the Midwest. But, the movie was a bit overlong and could have spliced a good 20 minutes that caused it to drag.

The battles, ambushes and skirmishes provide plenty of action, and there is also enough uncivility in the Civil War to keep the viewer attached to certain characters, with loyalty, friendship and vengeance all on display as in any war film. Then Lee adds a love story to the mix, which is where Jewel comes in. She's passable and doesn't bring down the film, as too much of the acting from experienced performers isn't top-notch anyway.

My favorite scene may have been when the Bushwackers steal letters bound for Federal troops. One of the guys reads them aloud, and even tough they're someone else's family and friends, the Confederates treat the letter as their own, reminiscing about loved ones and their once peaceful existence on their land. They just need a reminder that life will go on in the end.

Further Reading: http://www.ci.lawrence.ks.us/local_history/qr_index.html.