I must admit to being a bit of a fan of Tom Berenger's in the past, although clearly his best cinematic years are behind him with all too many poor choices of films. But here he is in a tremendous performance. I know it's Tom Bereneger, but I don't see him...I see TR.
And, for a television miniseries, it's a rather handsome production. But that's not to say it all makes sense. My goal in watching it was to easily learn about the Rough Riders in Cuba. I didn't learn much. For example, in the middle of the story there's a lot of running around in the jungle with the two sides shooting at each other, but the strategy or location was missing, so it didn't make a lot of sense.
Another big fault is simply being too long. Part I, which lasted 2 hours could have easily been accomplished in half that time.
Things do begin to clear up in the last third of the film when they reach San Juan Hill, although I have this idea the setting is not right -- to arid and clearly not near the ocean.
So while large parts of the film seem hazy in terms of military strategy and location, the film does show the human sacrifice of war and the suffering that it brings very well. The blood and gore seems realistic, not overdone. The key battle at San Juan Hill is done fairly well, although is overly long.
Aside from a fine performance by Tom Berenger, there are other actors that deserve mention. I almost always enjoy Sam Elliott, and did here very much, although essentially he always plays Sam Elliot. Gary Busey was quite good here; he hadn't gone weird yet. Chris Noth (from "The Good Wife" has a decent role. An old Brian Keith appears in the first half of the film as President William McKinley. Not saying he's spectacular, but George Hamilton does have some skills as an actor in a limited role. Geoffrey Lewis, a great character actor, is good here. There are others you'll recognize here, but this is pretty much an ensemble cast.
So, what did I learn. That the Americans didn't know what the hell they were doing. That they didn't even know why they were there other than personal glory (to a large extent). And that Teddy Roosevelt got a lot of credit for not knowing what he was doing, at least until the key moment of taking San Juan Hill.
It took stamina to sit through this, though it wasn't bad.
And, for a television miniseries, it's a rather handsome production. But that's not to say it all makes sense. My goal in watching it was to easily learn about the Rough Riders in Cuba. I didn't learn much. For example, in the middle of the story there's a lot of running around in the jungle with the two sides shooting at each other, but the strategy or location was missing, so it didn't make a lot of sense.
Another big fault is simply being too long. Part I, which lasted 2 hours could have easily been accomplished in half that time.
Things do begin to clear up in the last third of the film when they reach San Juan Hill, although I have this idea the setting is not right -- to arid and clearly not near the ocean.
So while large parts of the film seem hazy in terms of military strategy and location, the film does show the human sacrifice of war and the suffering that it brings very well. The blood and gore seems realistic, not overdone. The key battle at San Juan Hill is done fairly well, although is overly long.
Aside from a fine performance by Tom Berenger, there are other actors that deserve mention. I almost always enjoy Sam Elliott, and did here very much, although essentially he always plays Sam Elliot. Gary Busey was quite good here; he hadn't gone weird yet. Chris Noth (from "The Good Wife" has a decent role. An old Brian Keith appears in the first half of the film as President William McKinley. Not saying he's spectacular, but George Hamilton does have some skills as an actor in a limited role. Geoffrey Lewis, a great character actor, is good here. There are others you'll recognize here, but this is pretty much an ensemble cast.
So, what did I learn. That the Americans didn't know what the hell they were doing. That they didn't even know why they were there other than personal glory (to a large extent). And that Teddy Roosevelt got a lot of credit for not knowing what he was doing, at least until the key moment of taking San Juan Hill.
It took stamina to sit through this, though it wasn't bad.