I am loving this thread about as much as I have loved anything I've seen in here. Yep, I'm one-a-them SERIOUS LD fans. I have all of them on DVD and watch them frequently.
But even if you have seen them over and over and not read the books you really need to read all of them. Not in the order they were written but in the order of the time frame of the story. As good as the movies are and they are EXCELLENT, the books are way better.
In order they are:
. Dead Man's Walk. How the boys met and got to be Texas Rangers. The movie starred David Arquette plays Gus and really does a great job of Gus' mannerisms and patterns of speech as defined by Duval in the original movie.
I thought Johnny Lee Millers portrayal of Woodrow was mediocre but not really too bad. He did have a couple of scenes where Woodrows temper and toughness came out.
.Next would be Comanche Moon. Gus and Woodrow as young but established Rangers and some high adventures they had. Steve Zahn also did a memorable job of capturing the essence of Gus. Karl Urban played Woodrow and near about stunk up the whole movie. He should be permanently barred from EVER making any more movies. Val Kilmer was incredible. What a wide range of acting abilities he has.
You also get a young Jake Spoon and young Pea Eye and a young Deets. It's a great story and a good movie.
. Next is the original Movie. It picks up where they are older and strike out for Montana. But I don't expect I need to give any details on this'n.
Duval and Jones both had the best rolls of their careers made even better by the fact that they played great off each other.
If you have never read a book for pleasure and only intend to read one in your life time Let it be THIS book. I mean it. Drama, high western adventure, humor, love, hate, revenge, loyalty and fidelity all blended together with skilfully crafted humanity. You will forget you are reading a book and you will become part of the story. When you finish it you will feel empty and lost and alone like everyone you ever cared about has gone off and left you. I've read a lot of books....a lot of great books. But I have never read anything to compare with this. It is just as big, just as fun and just as painful as real life.
. Next in line is Return to Lonesome Dove with John Voight as Woodrow. He really captures the hard edge and strict personal code that Jones put into the roll in the original movie. He takes Gus back to Texas and brings a heard of horses back to Montana. More great characters, great cast members, and high, high adventures. It fits in nicely with this series.
And Finally, the last in this series is Streets of Laredo. You know I don't think I'd have chosen James Garner to play an aging Woodrow Call. But I'd have missed a good bet. He totally nailed it. I guess I felt that he was such a nice guy he didn't have the perspective to portray Woodrow's strong characteristics and traits. Boy was THAT a mistake. He is an awesome actor and can get junkyard dog mean when it's time to.
The old days are changin' but there are still plenty of bad guys out there and that means plenty more adventures. some very excellent stars and characters in this one for sure.
This whole series is rich with colorful characters. Some you love, some you hate, some will make you laugh, some will break your heart, some out of history of the old west and some out of McMurtry's fertile imagination.
If you want to know what true depression feels like then read all of these books or watch all of these movies in a row. See how empty and alone and disconnected from real life you feel when you get done. I am totally miserable for a while every time I do it......
