"Comanche Moon" (2008) TV mini-series

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writers:

Diana Ossana (teleplay) &
Larry McMurtry (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

13 January 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Western

Plot Keywords:

TV Mini-Series | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win

Cast

Val Kilmer	...	Inish Scull
Steve Zahn	...	Gus McCrae
Karl Urban	...	Woodrow F. Call
Linda Cardellini	...	Clara Forsythe
Elizabeth Banks	...	Maggie
Ryan Merriman	...	Jake Spoon
Ray McKinnon	...	Bill Coleman
Keith Robinson	...	Joshua Deets
Wes Studi	...	Buffalo Hump
Adam Beach	...	Blue Duck
James Rebhorn	...	Gov. Elisha Pease
Jake Busey	...	Tudwal
Melanie Lynskey	...	Pearl Coleman
Sal Lopez	...	Ahumado
Norbert Leo Butz	...	Capt. Richard King

Runtime:

360 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:M18

Filming Locations:

New Mexico, USA

Company:

CBS Paramount Network Television

Trivia:

Ray McKinnon and Jonathan Joss are the only returning cast member from _"Dead Man's Walk" (1996) (mini)_.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Newt, Ikey, and Pearl are walking away from Maggie's funeral, and they stop at the bottom of the hill, Newt lets go of Ikey's hand. When the camera angle changes, he lets go of Ikey's hand again.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Gus McCrae: We are Texas Rangers! Our jurisdiction is wherever we happen to be!

Movie Connections:

References "Lonesome Dove" (1989)

For what it is, it's worth watching.

There have been some harsh criticisms of Comanche Moon on IMDb. I think this is for three reasons. First, purists are disappointed that the mini-series is not exactly like the book. Second, it's not as good as the original Lonesome Dove. Finally, people like to complain on IMDb and the greatest films in the world will have bad comments.

I would like to say that no movie is going to be as good as the book. That's just the way it is. Lonesome Dove wasn't as good as the novel it was based on. Additionally, the movie of Lonesome Dove had some things left out ans switched around. That's just they way its going to be with a film adaptation of anything. So its a futile argument when looking at Comanche Moon.

I do agree it's not as good as the original Dove. But hey, nothing is. I know people that guide their lives by the lessons they learned from the Dove. If I was going to compare every book I read, movie I watched, and TV I viewed by Lonesome Dove; I would be perpetually unhappy.

This is a made for TV miniseries based on a prequel to Lonesome Dave (the novel) and sequel to Dead man's Walk, and that's what you get. It's the best TV I've seen in years. It's a fun set up for Lonesome Dove. We get to learn about the history of the Rangers we came to know and love in Dove. Zahn does an amazing job in recreating Gus McCrae. Elizabeth Banks and Linda Forenelli (sp?) also do great jobs as creating characters that help fill in the past of the rangers and Newt.

If/when it comes on again, I promise you'll enjoy it more than some crumby reality show.