Ride with the Devil

REVIEW
This Civil War adventure covers an especially fractious segment: southern Bushwhackers in Missouri waging a guerrilla war against northern Jayhawkers. The Bushwhackers here include Maguire as the son of an immigrant northern sympathizer, his buddy Ulrich, and a freed slave (Wright). Folk singer Jewel, in her film debut, is impressive as a young widow who provides them with shelter during a dangerous winter. The complicated connections lead to some appropriately chaotic battles, but director Lee generally fails to translate these action scenes dramatically. However, the cinematography is majestic, and the compelling story comes complete with rustically poetic dialogue (the screenplay is by longtime collaborator James Schamus) and natural performances by the ensemble cast.