Ride with the Devil
Ride with the Devil

Ride with the Devil

1999Movie89 minEnglish

Forty years ago Daredevil Dan Donovan was sent to the dark abyss. He has now been given one last chance to reenter the light. What must he do? He must exchange his soul for the souls of thirteen other deserving candidates. This is his adventure.

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Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes57%
Metacritic62/100
Google Users76%
Director: Ang LeeGenres: Western, War, Drama, History

Plot Summary

In the American Civil War, a young Southern man joins a group of Confederate guerrilla fighters known as Bushwhackers after his life is turned upside down. He struggles to reconcile his moral compass with the brutal realities of war and his growing camaraderie with his fellow fighters, particularly the charismatic leader Jake Roedel. The film explores themes of loyalty, violence, and the search for identity amidst the chaos of a nation divided.

Critical Reception

Ang Lee's 'Ride with the Devil' received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who often praised its ambitious scope, visual style, and strong performances, particularly from Jeffrey Wright. However, some found the narrative pacing uneven and the film's overall message somewhat muddled. Audiences were generally less engaged, contributing to its modest box office performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric portrayal of the Civil War West and solid performances.
  • Criticized by some for a lack of narrative focus and pacing issues.
  • An ambitious but ultimately uneven historical drama.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a well-made historical piece with good acting, though some noted it was a bit slow or lacked a clear emotional arc.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in various locations in Missouri and Oklahoma, with filmmakers aiming for historical authenticity in its depiction of the Civil War's Western theater.

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