Larry McMurtry's Dead Man's Walk

Back in the 1840's the State Texas was known as the Texas Republic, a harsh environment where several cultures clashed: Apache and Comanche, Anglos and Hispanics, for the most part, Mexicans. The battle over land, water and resources was furious, the spirit of these men as they set out to conquer, indomitable. The Texas Rangers were members of a law enforcement agency that investigated crimes from murder to political corruption, tracking fugitives and forging most important events in Texas history.In their early days, the Texas Rangers protected the frontier against Indian attacks on settlers, then serving as scouts, spies, couriers, and guides for those wishing to settle in the West. These men were trained to aim, fire and reload their weapons from horseback, an amazing development from the usual technique of dismounting before shooting at enemies and reloading.The story and subsequent sequels centers around two men, Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow Call. With each episode, we have seen three, the actors change as their characters age.Dead Man's Walk finds young Gus, played by David Arquette and Call, played by Johnny Lee Miller, as two young Texas rangers who set out to find adventure and soon make a life around this dangerous employment.Their purpose seems to capture Santa Fe and annex New Mexico, but the Mexicans fight them at every turn. Their group is led by a pirate who travels with its parrot on his shoulder, by the name of Caleb Cobb, played by F. Murray Abraham.There are many adventures, many encounters that will leave you spell bound as to the perils of life in the 1800's. The Apache encounters are magnificent, the violence sometimes brutal, but as with most westerners, we appreciated a view to a time when survival was a daily challenge.The Mexican Captain Salazar, played by Edward James Olmos, is cruel, dispassionate, but in time, develops great respect for the endurance of the Texas Rangers. Simply, excellent.

Dead Man's Walk is a very good prequel for its story directly from a script co authored the the writer of the novel that is the younger years of Gus and Woodrow that is a very engaging story that shows the begining of a long lasting relationship between the two men. The scenery is incredible and there is also a behind the scenes look at the production and how it came to be. All in all a very enjoyable western

Good mini-series based on Lonesome Dove. Tells the story of the characters, when they first joined The Texas Rangers. By the author, Larry Mcmurtry

Gus & Call: The Early Years. This prequel to Lonesome Dove detailing some of the adventures of the young Rangers, Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, was written by Larry McMurtry and features all of his trademark specialities: complex heroes, pitiless & mean villains, politically incorrect fierce & merciless Apaches & Comanches, a wild trek lead by a half-mad pirate (F. Murray Abraham), a motley collection of wilderness folks, wise & unruffled Scouts (Keith Carradine & Harry Dean Stanton) and a young whore with more guts and heart than most men.In short, it is a hell of a tale, well told. The cast is excellent all the way around, and the choices made for the young Woodrow Call (Johnny Lee Miller) and Gus McCrae (David Arquette) fortuitous. In Miller we see the beginnings of the stubborn iron will and dtermination of Woodrow Call, as well as his natural acceptance of responsibility and leadership. David Arquette catches the free spirit, insipient laziness and romantic dreamer in Gus.The story of an ill-fated trek to wrest Santa Fe and thereby all of New Mexico from Mexico, becomes a hellish mess as one thing after another goes wrong, not the least of which is a determined Apache, Gomez, picking them off one by one. And, there is yet a worst trek after their failure in Santa Fe, and that is the Dead Man's Walk of the title, lead by a resolute and unswayable Mexican Officer (Edward J. Olmos), with other surprises to come.If you liked Lonesome Dove, you will like this as well. If you didn't like Lonesome Dove (more's the pity on you), better give this a pass. 4-1/2 stars. Worth it.

Use this dvd for personnel use

IT WAS GOOD TO GET AN IDEA OF WHERE IT ALL STARTED. I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS A KIND OF PREQUEL, BUT VERY INTERESTING. ALL IN ALL A GOOD FILM, IM HAPPY WITH IT, DISC PLAYED GOOD, GOOD SHIPPING, GOOD SELLER. THANK YOU, RMH. AMAZON ROCKS!

I'm a Western Movie and Lonesome Dove fan/nut. So....it's a must have.

This movie is the prequel to the Lonesome Dove series. It gives a view of the early days when Captains Call and McCray were Texas Rangers. This movie helps to explain some of the why and how in their relationship and their personal relationships with the women in their lives. Though the actors of Call and McCray did a good job, they had huge shoes to fill after seeing the characters played so well by veteran actors, Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall. If you have not seen Lonesome Dove, it is a must see, but I would advise to watch this movie first and follow the characters chronologically through all of the series.

sticks closely to McMurtry's novel. Works well as a mini-series. Picture quality not as sharp as it would be if the series were made now but there is plenty of action and well-staged set pieces. Enjoyable.

I liked everything about this DVD. The photography, storyline etc. The principle actors were excellent. I was particularly impressed with the way in which the actors who portrayed the young Call, and McRae had similar speech patterns and mannerisms to Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall, who played Call and McRae later in life in the Lonesome Dove series the actor who played the youn Gus McRae was particularly good at this.

I purchased this, with other DVD's in the Lonesome Dove series, as part of a Christmas gift for a husband who is a committed "Dove" fan. Along with the other newly bought DVD's it has been viewed several times and we are only in February! So I consider it money well spent!

True to the book. Well acted. Would watch again

Imperfect but entertaining and interesting drama, more a glimpse into the history of old Texas than telling us much about the making of Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call. Not as good as Lonesome Dove, but worth a look if you are interested in early Texas.