Jake Roedel and Jack Bull Chiles are friends
in Missouri when the Civil War starts. Women and Blacks have few rights. Jack Bull's
dad is killed by Union soldiers, so the young men join the Bushwhackers, irregulars
loyal to the South. One is a Black man, Daniel Holt, beholden to the man who bought
his freedom. They skirmish then spend long hours hiding. Sue Lee, a young widow, brings
them food. She and Jack Bull become lovers, and when he's grievously wounded, Jake
escorts her south to a safe farm. The Bushwhackers, led by men set on revenge, make a
raid into Kansas. At nineteen, Jake is ill at ease with war. As his friends die one
after another, he must decide where honor lies.
Directed by:
Ang Lee
Written by:
Daniel Woodrell
James Schamus
Partical Cast:
Tobey Maguire (Jake Roedel)
Scott Sener (Gurard)
Skeet Ulrich (Jack Bull Chiles)
Jim Caviezel (Black John)