Barnes & Noble

Legendarily macho filmmaker and military-history buff John Milius invested a great deal of himself in this 1997 miniseries: In writing the script, he dug deep into historical records, taking great care to replicate the events and real-life participants in the Spanish-American War. He also found a strong leading man in Tom Berenger, who plays future president Theodore Roosevelt as a relentless advocate for freeing Cuba from Spanish domination. At that time the secretary of the Navy, Teddy almost single-handedly persuades then-President William McKinley (Brian Keith) to invade the small island and help the Cuban people liberate themselves. To facilitate American involvement, he recruits an all-volunteer cavalry regiment whose heroic members include Captain Bucky O'Neil (Sam Elliot), Roosevelt's right-hand man. Milius lays out the facts with remarkable fidelity, even to detailing the constant, unsubtle agitation for war of prominent newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst (George Hamilton, an unlikely choice for the role). The battle scenes, which depict surprised American troopers facing a well-trained enemy equipped with modern weapons, are vivid and violent, but also exhilarating. Rough Riders represents Milius at his fastidious, militaristic best, painting a rich and visceral historical portrait in the form of a compelling drama. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

The real-life story of Teddy Roosevelt's role in the Spanish-American war is re-told in this made-for-television movie. Tom Berenger stars as Roosevelt, who in 1898 formed his own volunteer calvary to go into Cuba and fight the expansion of Spanish rule. Thousands of men from all walks of life volunteered, but Roosevelt honed the team down to over 500 fighting men. When they finally arrived in Cuba, they faced a well-equipped Spanish army and squared off in the famous Battle of San Juan Hill. Berenger is strong as the charismatic leader, and the supporting cast shines with familiar names. The film clocks in at four hours and was originally shown in two parts. Bernadette McCallion

Product Details

• UPC: 053939758023
• Source: TURNER HOME ENT
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Français, Español
• Time: 3:04:00
• Sales Rank: 9,526

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Sam Elliott Western Collection

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