The Jack Bull

TV Movie
1999
R
1h 56m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

After being wrongfully denied justice, a horse trader seeks his own justice on a treacherous rancher.After being wrongfully denied justice, a horse trader seeks his own justice on a treacherous rancher.After being wrongfully denied justice, a horse trader seeks his own justice on a treacherous rancher.

Director
- John Badham
Writers
- Heinrich von Kleist
- Dick Cusack
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

5.4K

YOUR RATING

Director
- John Badham
Writers
- Heinrich von Kleist
- Dick Cusack
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 1:14

The Jack Bull

Photos40

+ 32

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The title is derived from the names of two dog breeds - Jack Russell and Bulldog. Myrl Redding (John Cusack) is said to have the tenacity of a Jack Russell and the strength of a bulldog when angered.

Goofs
At the end of the movie, the statehood congregation parades through town with flags containing 50 stars. The proper flag for the period would have been the 43 star flag.

Quotes
Judge Tolliver: Well, I worry about you and me, Judge Wilkins. I swear to God I do, 'cause if this country gets ruined... it'll be ruined by people *like* you and me. This is a territory of unimportant people; most folks around here...
[laughs softly]
Judge Tolliver: can't even write their name. You and me... we're the important people. Trouble is, there's not enough of us important people to go around - we're spread thin, so sometimes, important things get ignored or don't get said. Like... take care of the little feller; see to it that he don't get ignored or cheated or insulted; make sure that his dignity does not get trampled on. Now you're feelin' bad right now, and by God, you ought to... seein' as what just happened to a decent man. Myrl Redding did *not* fail the law...the law failed Myrl.

Connections
Version of Michael Kohlhaas (1937)

Soundtracks
Ring them Bells
Written by Bob Dylan
Performed by Bob Dylan
Courtesy of Columbia Records

User reviews72

Review

Featured review

7/10

Justice does not come easy.

I haven't been impressed with a western in along time as I have with JACK BULL. Terrific acting, great script and tremendous cinematography. The setting is 19th-century, wide open pre-statehood Wyoming. A powerful tale of a horse trader(John Cusack) seeking justice for a rival rancher(L.Q.Jones) abusing two of his horses. Before finding a judge(John Goodman)to hear his complaint, Cusack gives notice he wants restitution within seven days. This inturn causes some havoc at the same time the justice system is trying to make a good impression as the territory is awaiting statehood. You will not like the ending, but you will agree that this is a great HBO project.

Cusack really proves to be an all around actor with JACK BULL. His acting abilities seems to be improving movie by movie. What I like about this role is that he wears his hat like Elvis Presley did in CHARRO!(1969). Needless to recognize the similar beginnings of a beard. Was John impressed with Elvis or what? L.Q. Jones has always been one of my favorites even if he does play a dirty s.o.b. in this movie. Jones of course as you might remember had small parts in numerous Elvis flicks. John Goodman is tight and in control of his role as Judge Tolliver. Also in the cast are:Rodney A. Grant, John C. McGinley and John Savage.

Note:Script was written by Dick Cusack, John's father.