Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

No other western compares to Lonesome Dove . This movie was a mini-series that aired on CBS in 1989. To date it is still the best western out there. I bought this movie and enjoy watching it at least once a year. A real taste of the old west...

The Legend-The Movie-Lonesome Dove

Set in the late 1800's in west Texas. Captain Woodrow F. Call (Tommy Lee Jones) and Augustus McCrae (Robert Duvall)
are retired Texas Rangers. They went into the cattle business, The Hat Creek Cattle Company near the small town of Lonesome Dove. An old friend Jake Spoon (Robert Urich)who was also a former Texas Ranger rides into town. He had just left Arkansas in a hurry! He had a small problem with the law in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He had accidentally shot the town Mayor, while settling a gambling dispute. The bullet wasn't meant for the mayor but he was killed by Spoon anyway you look at it. Jake Spoon didn't hang a around for a trial. He tells Captain Call and Agustus (known as Gus)about his mishap. Then he tells them about the cattleman's paradise to be had in the state of Montana.

Captain Call is intrigued by the idea of driving a heard of cattle to Montana and starting a new life. It takes a bit of talking but he convinces Gus to give it a go.

Now they round up a few more cattle. Actually, they Steal them from Mexican bandidos. They gather up a few things and their small bunch of ranch hands and head North to Montana. Captain Call talking with Gus about the Hat Creek Cattle Co. Sign that Gus made up.

"I don't see why you had to put them greek words on there"

"By God Woodrow, I've told you before, it ain't GREEK, it's LATIN."

"What's it say then?"

"It's a motto, it says itself..."

"You ain't got any idea what it says! Hell, for all you know it could be an invitation for people to rob us!"

"As far as I'm concerned any man who can read Latin is welcome to rob us. I'd like the chance to shoot at an educated man for once in my life."


Now the adventure of a life time starts! They are up against all the odds. They encounter cowboys, wild Indians, Outlaws, rushing rivers, buffalo hunters, dust storms, Arkansas Law men and much more.



Cast

Woodrow F. Call... Tommy Lee Jones (The Client, Blown Away, Rules of Engagement)

Augustus McCrae... Robert Duvall (To Kill a Mockingbird, Deep Impact, Gone In Sixty Seconds)

Jake Spoon... Robert Urich (Magnum Force, For Love of Olivia)

Newt Dobbs... Ricky Schroder (The Earthling, Call of The Wild)

Joshua Deets... Danny Glover (Color of Purple, Lethal Weapon)

Clara... Angelica Huston ( The mists Of Avalon, Phoenix)

Pea Eye... Tim Scott


Awards

The Movie was based on a novel by Larry McMurtry wrote in 1971. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1985.

Directed by Simon Wincer (Free Willy, 1993)

Nominated for 18 Emmys, received 7 Emmys.
D.W. Griffith Award the for Best Television Mini-series.
Golden Globe Award for best Television Mini-series.


Final Thoughts

This is a larger than life western epic. If you enjoy westerns, drama or just a good movie, put Lonesome Dove on your must rent list! If you enjoy this movie I advise seeing the prequel as well (Dead Man's Walk). There is also a sequel. It is worth a watch as well, (Streets of Laredo).

Running time is 6 hours 18 minutes

Thank You for reading my review.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older