MovieChat Forums > Lonesome Dove (1989) Discussion > Should Jake Spoon have been spared?

Should Jake Spoon have been spared?

posted 11 years ago by brokedickdog7
52 replies | jump to latest

When Augustus and Woodrow and the rest catch up with the outlaw gang Jake asks them to spare him. He said he hadn't killed anyone which was true. Although they didn't want to they hanged Jake.

There is a similar scene in The Virginian- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039082/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3

Sonny Tufts plays a character a lot like Jake. An excellent cowboy when he wants to work hard which is not often. A likeable rake he gets into trouble, owes money and decides to steal horses from the herd. He is caught stealing horses which was punishable by death.

The Virginian and the other drovers were faced with the grim reality of having to impose this sentence on their good friend.

I guess it wasn't practical to make exceptions in those days.

[–] shilstone 8 years ago

They hung him because he went along with all the killing and horse stealing he was once a ranger just like them Jake new better and also had the smarts/training to get through the territory by himself if he wanted to but he chose to stick with the gang in hopes of getting more money to gamble with. They couldn't trust him anymore.

[–] Bloodworth79 (5687) 5 years ago

They should have let him go.

How long did he know this crew he was riding with?
Yes he knew they were outlaws but he looked disgusted with their actions and said he didint want to be a part of it.

Yeah hanging him was harsh