MovieChat Forums > Ride with the Devil (1999) Discussion > One of the most underrated films of the ...

One of the most underrated films of the last 20 years

posted 9 years ago by dik_head1
6 replies | jump to latest

6.8 rating on IMDB as I type this?! (Yes I know people will say the IMDB rating system is useless)

I remember first watching this film when I was 12 years old in 2000. I loved it then. I just revisited tonight, 16 years on and I stand by that this is a masterpiece. I would certainly put it alongside 'Crouching Tiger..." as Ang Lee's best work.

Also sadly unfortunate was the films massive failure at the box office on release. Why is it that nowadays, under-appreciated films upon release don't go on to be re-assessed or re-evauluated as great works?

Anyone heard of 'Blade Runner'? Flop on release and critically mauled, but now rightly considered a great work. Has anyone else noticed that films are rarely reappraised in this positive light anymore to the point where they gain a larger audience that didn't catch the initial release? Just doesn't seem to happen. But for me, 'Ride With the Devil' deserves that re-consideration.

Does anyone else feel the same?

It can't rain all the time

[–] J-Street1 9 years ago

I think a lot of critics had a problem with a black man fighting alongside the Bushwhackers, so it didn't have good word of mouth coming out of the gate. Plus, I think it's marketing wasn't what it should have been, either.

If it had bigger names in it, I believe it would have been noticed more. However, it being full of unknowns also made it more believable. It's perhaps the best (and only) accurate depiction of Bleeding Kansas. The Lawrence Massacre was spot on.

A great drama and it's got something many movies don't have -- rewatch value. I gave it a 9/10.

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[–] dik_head1 9 years ago

Totally agree with you Jared-09.

I think the film holds up very well, it now approaching 17 years since it was released.

I imagine if it were being made today, it might be a HBO mini-series where it would probably be well received in that format.

It can't rain all the time

[–] J-Street1 9 years ago

Thanks. I don't think it'll ever get old. It's timeless because it's basically a window into those events of history.

I find few films that have characters that you would like to know or hang around with, like old friends. This is one of them. That's why I think it's fun to revisit from time to time. Plus, it has a lot of heart and in the right places. Many films of the genre don't have that balance, it seems. So, it's special.

Anyway, you might be right if it did get made today, although Ang Lee had the clout to bring it to the big screen, thankfully. I'd love to see HBO do a "Bloody Bill Anderson" miniseries. That would be a sight to see albeit a violent one... 

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[–] NutMustardx 8 years ago

Th3 black guy fighting along side the bushwackers was a real person, he was a scout and hated the union for the atrocities they committed against his family.
More so it's probably because Toby maguire fighting as a confederate guerilla soldier is more ridiculous...well I haven't seen it yet maybe he played a union soldier..but no one likes him but little kids. His balls haven't even dropped yet and he doesn't shave yet and he's in his late 30s or 40s. No one takes him serious. He's the reason it tanked. If they had someone Joaquin phoenix who's a real actor itD have done way better

[–] Ezrateach 8 years ago

Nothing like a guy admitting to not actually seeing a film to lead intelligent people to dismiss his viewpoint entirely. And by the way, Tobey Maguire is excellent in his role--as is the entire cast.

[–] neverstandinalone (641) 8 years ago

" I would certainly put it alongside 'Crouching Tiger..." as Ang Lee's best work." Agreed, with "Life of Pi" alongside.

Without having to pay to see "Ride with the Devil, I've searched my local cable channels for it with no success. Methinks a purchase is in order.