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Where Do You Rank Lonesome Dove?

Posted on 12/18/23 at 6:58 pm
Posted by GAFF
Georgia
Member since Aug 2010
2452 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 6:58 pm
Easily a top 3 and number 1 as far as Westerns go for me. Maybe number one all time. Robert Duvall nailed Gus McCrae and the conversation between him and Call (Tommy Lee Jones) in his death scene still chokes me up. Over 30 years old and I can turn it on and watch it like it just came out.
Posted by real turf fan
East Tennessee
Member since Dec 2016
8812 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:01 pm to
When I read the book and the swimming into "barbed wire" I no longer wanted to see any movie made that might include that incident.
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
75955 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:02 pm to
Would've loved a trilogy with the same actors and movie level production.

Having said that, it's great and I watch it at least once a year.

Sean getting bit by the rattlers in the river crossing still gives me the creeps.
Posted by Philzilla2k
Member since Oct 2017
11129 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:02 pm to
Never seen any of them. I do think I would like to read the books first, but haven’t got around to that yet either.
Posted by thenza
Member since Sep 2013
822 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:08 pm to
100% agree.

As far as classic cowboys go, it’s my favorite western. I put it as 1a to Dances with Wolves’ 1b. Will watch every. single. time. I see it on.

Gus (and generally Robert Duvall) is just a joy to watch. The music is great. It’s tragic and hopeful. It has everything I love in a sad cowboy movie.

I echo the thoughts about Gus’ death and the river of snakes.
Posted by GAFF
Georgia
Member since Aug 2010
2452 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:11 pm to
The show made me want to read the book. I was disappointed in it but I believe it was because I held the show in such high regard. It was like reading 4 different books at times with all the different storylines. I liked how the show put the reporter at the end instead of during Blue Ducks hanging like in the book. Much more suitable ending.
This post was edited on 12/18/23 at 7:14 pm
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22642 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:18 pm to
The others books in the series are very dark and grim. They were written after Lonesome Dove I believe.

Lonesome Dove is the best Western ever for me.
Posted by GAFF
Georgia
Member since Aug 2010
2452 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:26 pm to
I’ve watched some of the other shows in the series but Comanche Moon was the only one I enjoyed. Steve Zahn did a really good job of capturing the mannerisms that Robert Duvall gave Gus.
Posted by Jack Ruby
Member since Apr 2014
22975 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:41 pm to
The biggest thing that holds Lonesome Dove back is that it was a TV movie and made with 1980s TVs in mind.

It does not have nearly the level of cinematography or direction that motion pictures like The Searchers, Rio Bravo, the best of the Leone films, and countless others, but the acting of Duvall and TLJ particularly and most almost all of the other cast, is every bit as good as any western ever made.
Posted by upgrade
Member since Jul 2011
13253 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:48 pm to
Gus McCrea is the greatest character ever written.
Duval is the freaking goat.
Posted by iwyLSUiwy
I'm your huckleberry
Member since Apr 2008
34734 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:49 pm to
It’s fantastic but I’m not sure it’d crack my western top 10. That’s a deep genre.

Once Upon a Time in the West, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Tombstone, Searchers, High Noon, Josey Wales, Assassination of Jessie James, My Darling Clementine, Liberty Valance, The Proposition.

I’m one of the few that would have Unforgiven out of the top 10 too though. Just a great genre that sadly doesn’t get enough movies made in it these days.
Posted by Honest Tune
Louisiana
Member since Dec 2011
15945 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:51 pm to
quote:

I echo the thoughts about Gus’ death and the river of snakes.


“Call’s right, boys. The best thing you can do with death is ride off from it.”

When men were men.
Posted by RobbBobb
Matt Flynn, BCS MVP
Member since Feb 2007
28018 posts
Posted on 12/18/23 at 10:43 pm to
quote:

The biggest thing that holds Lonesome Dove back is that it was a TV movie and made with 1980s TVs in mind

This

1) The Searchers
2) Unforgiven
3) Liberty Valance
4) Rio Bravo
5) True Grit
Posted by Boomdaddy65201
BoCoMo
Member since Mar 2020
2670 posts
Posted on 12/19/23 at 1:32 am to
quote:

Comanche Moon was the only one I enjoyed. Steve Zahn did a really good job of capturing the mannerisms that Robert Duvall gave Gus.


Zahn, was outstanding as a young Gus, he nailed it & blew me away as I wasn’t expecting it. Bought my dad the multi-disc set of Comanche Moon at Christmas last year and “Empire of the Summer Moon” which I both thoroughly enjoyed. I had been wanting to see Comanche Moon for years, but it was never included in those holiday marathons of the Lonesome Dove series. Val Kilmer and his whore of a wife(Rachel Griffith) stole the entire production.
Favorite Gusism: “Any man who wouldn’t cheat and lie for a poke doesn’t want it bad enough”
Posted by Sam Quint
Member since Sep 2022
4901 posts
Posted on 12/19/23 at 5:22 am to
quote:

Sean getting bit by the rattlers in the river crossing still gives me the creeps.

Moccasins
Posted by Sandy Giner
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2022
17 posts
Posted on 12/19/23 at 6:47 am to
quote:

Where Do You Rank Lonesome Dove?


G.O.A.T.
Posted by tigerfan84
Member since Dec 2003
20468 posts
Posted on 12/19/23 at 7:04 am to
quote:

Gus- When was you the happiest, Call?

Woodrow- Happiest about what?

Gus- About just being a live human being, free on the earth?
Posted by rebelrouser
Columbia, SC
Member since Feb 2013
10759 posts
Posted on 12/19/23 at 8:18 am to
It's a six hour four episode t.v. miniseries, so it doesn't really compare to movies. One of the best t.v. miniseries though.
Posted by TC Kidd
Member since Nov 2023
776 posts
Posted on 12/19/23 at 8:21 am to
quote:

Robert Duvall nailed Gus McCrae

Duvall nails every role. My favorite actor by far.
Posted by flvelo12
Palm Harbor, Florida
Member since Jan 2012
3342 posts
Posted on 12/19/23 at 8:30 am to
quote:

The biggest thing that holds Lonesome Dove back is that it was a TV movie and made with 1980s TVs in mind.


Reason why I don't hold it in high regard as others here. If Duvall & Jones weren't cast, it would be unremarkable.
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