The Jack Bull
The Jack Bull
R | 17 April 1999 (USA)
The Jack Bull Trailers

The Jack Bull tells the story of Myrl Redding, a Wyoming horse trader who clashes with Henry Ballard, a fellow rancher, after Ballard abuses two of Myrl's horses and their Crow Indian caretaker, Billy. When Judge Wilkins throws out Myrl's complaint, the war he wages to force Ballard to nurse the emaciated animals back to health escalates into a vigilante manhunt, murder and the possible defeat of Wyoming's bid for statehood.

Reviews
Nonureva Really Surprised!
Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict
Hulkeasexo it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.
mraculeated The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
hopebuild The sloppiness I blame on the director. My friend said, "...who cares it was made for HBO...". I care and if it were my name associated with the movie I would at least make sure you couldn't see the harness cable behind the head of the man being hung. You could totally see it. They could have shot it from another angle and then we couldn't have seen it. Also in the scene in court they show women and a black man on the jury. Not even. In 1890 not even a state yet Wyoming no women were sitting on the jury. Anyway this movie is fraught with ill fitting scenes, motivations, and had lots of goofs. I saw John Cusack move his arm when they took him down from the gallows. There were many goofs. I would never put my name on something this sloppily made even if it were only for TV. I feel insulted when movies are this sloppily done.
Petri Pelkonen Myrl Redding is a horse trader from Wyoming.Rancher Henry Ballard becomes his worst enemy after he abuses two of Redding's horses and Billy, the Crow Indian caretaker.The local judge throws out Myrl's complaint.He tells Ballard to nurse the horses back to health.He refuses.So begins a manhunt where everybody's life is in danger.All Myrl wants is justice.The Jack Bull (1999) is a made for television western directed by John Badham.It's loosely based on Heinrich von Kleist 1811 book Michael Kohlhaas.I bought the movie as a DVD some time ago.John Cusack does terrific job as Myrl Redding.The script was written by his late father, Dick Cusack, and he really wanted to do this film.John Goodman is great as the fair judge Tolliver.L.Q. Jones makes a great villain in Henry Ballard.Miranda Otto is fantastic as Myrl's wife Cora Redding.Same thing with Drake Bell as his son Cage.Great job by John McGinley as Woody.John Savage is very good as Slater.Rodney A. Grant as Billy is marvelous.Ned Bellamy is very good as Kermit Dover.Scott Wilson is great as Governor.Byrne Piven, Jeremy's father plays Tub Weller.Dick Cusack is seen as Jury Foreman.Also Bill Cusack, John's brother is seen in the movie.The soundtrack includes "Ring Them Bells" by Bob Dylan.It looks pretty amazing when Myrl and his posse ride to the spot, terrifying the villains.The Jack Bull is pretty nice modern western.
H. Martin (~AleXa~) This is an HBO original movie, but let me assure you this is of the caliber to have been a theatrical release. This film makes a powerful statement about the importance of standing up for what you believe in and how you cannot just say what is right, but have the courage to take action when words fail you and see justice done, whatever the cost.The setting is the beautiful mountains and frontier country of pre-statehood Wyoming; the man is Merle Redding (John Cusack), a simple horse trainer just trying to earn a living for him and his family; the problem is a wealthy cattle rancher named Henry Ballard (L.Q. Jones) buying up all the land between the homesteads and the nearest town. Conflict arises when Merle is taking some of his horses to town to sell at the auction and needs to pass through Ballard's new spread of land—previously unowned—as it is the only way to make it to the auction on time. And that is all I will say so as to not spoil any critical elements of the movie. The first thing that stands out about the film is that the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I could've done without the filters, but the sights are still something to behold. The actors are well-cast; John Cusack and John Goodman really shine in their respective roles. The screenplay (written by Dick Cusack, John Cusack's father) is well-thought out and succeeds in making the film come full circle. The characters are three-dimensional and the audience can easily relate to their individual struggles. As well, the parallel editing between Cusack's 'circumstance' and the parade for Wyoming's official statehood speaks volumes...very eloquent indeed.This film should be a lesson to all of us to remember what's important and fight for what we believe in. We cannot settle for simply saying what is right and what should be done, but stand behind what we say. It reminds us to fight for the little guy and that one person *can* make a difference.VERDICT: A moving film about true conviction of the heart; truly inspiring. Hands down one of the best westerns I've ever seen (which is a lot). On that note, if you don't like westerns, this probably isn't the film for you, but otherwise, it's a must-see.8.5 out of 10.0NOTE: To anyone who loves horses, this film will hit a particular soft spot in your heart—it certainly did for me
robb_mavins WATCH IT. A great moral translated to a western tale. I have been a fan of Cusack for some time; my first impression was that in a Western he would not be strong enough. As Myrl Redding, the strong true and moral man pushed too far, he is driven and tortured by theft and the death of his wife; and he is wonderful.The great thing about this movie is that L.Q. Jones' Ballard is not evil just the antagonist. This movie is filled with good people trying to do what they feel is the right thing including John Goodman as Judge Toliver. <br> The best compliment I can give is that it reminds a lot of `The Crucible' by Arthur Miller, though to be honest, I am never sure who is on the side of right . Since the movie is also set against the statehood debate there are so many subplots. Both Redding & Ballard are pushed and pulled by so many other forces, I am never quite sure to whom is delivered `More Weight' as was Giles Corey in the Crucible but the result is very watchable. That's why in the final analysis I like this film, it is not about `white hats' and black hats just sadly about flawed people.