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     Rough Riders

1997  NR  WESTERN/TELEVISION  3h 4min

CAST— Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, Gary Busey

MUSIC— Peter Bernstein  DIRECTOR— John Milius  BASED ON— True events

     A two-part miniseries chronicling the early days of the Spanish-American War. Spaniards are oppressing the people of Cuba, one of Spain’s territories. Public outcry over the atrocities is heard in the halls of Washington, DC. Should the United States government intervene? Assistant Navy Secretary Theodore Roosevelt thinks so, and he’s the type that doesn’t take no for an answer. He calls for men of action nationwide, and is answered by outlaws, family men, lawmen, Indian fighters, buffalo hunters, etc. Through vigorous training this ragtag group rallies behind the enthusiastic Roosevelt and eventually become the Rough Riders, true soldiers ready to make their leave and head to war. Not much in the way of story here; mostly there are battle scenes and more battle scenes, especially in the second half. An over-the-top performance by Tom Berenger as Roosevelt will either entertain or irritate, depending on one’s tolerance for brusque bravado. Not bad for the duration, but ultimately forgettable.

OUR RATING— **