SYNOPSICS
The Ride (1997) is a English movie. Michael O. Sajbel has directed this movie. Michael Biehn,Brock Pierce,Charles Young,Clarence Felder are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1997. The Ride (1997) is considered one of the best Drama,Family,Sport,Western movie in India and around the world.
Smokey Banks used to be one of the greatest bull riders in rodeo. But for the last few years this has-been cowboy has been riding the bookie and the bottle more, and taking a far worse beating than any bull ever delivered. Now, through a strange and sudden set of events, he is given an option : go to jail, or be a cowboy teacher at a Boy's Ranch. Saddled with a dozen young boys wild as any bull he ever faced, his mission was simple: teach young Danny (Brock Pierce) how to ride a bull. Very reluctantly, Smokey agrees, not realizing that Danny will be far more of a teacher to him than he ever dreamed.
Same Actors
Same Director
The Ride (1997) Reviews
Great Movie!
I agree most Christian movies barely get a B rating. This one was very well written and I enjoyed watching it. Rethink what???( last comment). This was a simple message about running from God and finally realizing through the love of others that God will never give up on you. It was sincere and better than a lot of "entertainment" I see out there. The performances were believable even if they weren't polished. I liked how not everyone was a Christian in the movie. The girl was not a believer but appreciated the love that was present at the ranch. The dying boy might not have been the best actor but he did a pretty good job. Lighten up. This film was probably targeted toward a younger crowd and it sent the Gospel message loud and clear. Not everything has to be an Oscar performance! Let's not be so cynical. Above being all things to all men God commands us to love one another. I like watching a movie that doesn't resort to foul language to get it's point across.
Good calibre cheese. Biehn is superb.
The Ride is a very different kind of film that was never designed to break box office figures but rather convey a message. With strong religious themes throughout, the film is very much down to interpretation. As an atheist, I was angered at how Danny (Brock Pierce) appeared to be forcing Smokey (Michael Biehn) in to religion. This is how I saw it but it is entirely possible that Danny was simply trying to open Smokey's mind. Smokey's inevitable conversion to Christianity, whilst infuriating to me, was handled very well by Biehn. Where the film flourishes is in the opposing sides to Smokey's character. On one hand he is a selfish drunk but also he is compassionate and cares deeply for Danny and Linette. Whilst not always reacting the best way to situations, Smokey knows what's right and eventually comes through. The relationship between Smokey and Danny is also very touching. Whilst not agreeing with Danny's behaviour, he displays great courage and a purely platonic love for the entire world. The bonds between the characters are visibly, very strong and you can't help but feel great empathy all the way through the film. The main reason to watch this film is Michael Biehn. Whilst he should be in much better films than this, Biehn takes his role very seriously and gives one of his strongest performances in a very long time. Biehn walks a fine line between arrogance and charisma as he did in K2 and it is very convincing that he makes friends and enemies in equal measure. It is a very demanding role as Smokey Banks is a very complex character and Biehn as always exceeds all requirements. Religion is still very much a taboo subject and whilst I myself am not Christian, I admire the film maker's courage in showing his beliefs. The major axe I have to grind with this film is the culture it portrays. I hate bull rodeos as they are immensely cruel and the whole cowboy way of life theme becomes a tad tiresome. The 'hicksville' ranch that Banks is staying at is so stereotyped that you can picture George W. Bush being extremely happy there. The Ride is fantastic once you look through the cheesy themes as it touches the emotions with great power. It is the inner core of the film that remains in the mind after watching, making The Ride well worth watching.
Excellent
This is a compelling story about some of the larger questions of life......childhood cancer, failure, love, life after death, spiritual questions..........and so on. Biehn brings the angst of his character to life. It is quite departure from what I am used to seeing him do, e.g. the military man. He still plays a tough guy, but in this case he is brought to his knees by the heart, mind and suffering of a boy. The movie is steeped in cowboy culture, which I very much liked. What is more utterly and uniquely American than the spectacle of rodeo. If you like rodeo you will like this movie. Admittedly, the movie is somewhat formulaic.....but not all formulas are bad. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought the message powerful, poignant and ultimately uplifting without whitewashing the real pain of this world. There is a cameo appearance by Franklin Graham who speaks plainly about Jesus. I highly recommend this film
Predictable, but enjoyable
At the beginning, I had no expectations. When I identified it as a religious film, my expectations came in low. I found the film to be quite enjoyable, however ... even though I was predicting events before they were shown. This is definitely a film the entire family can watch together, and those are rare today. Performances aren't Academy Award material, but they fit the film quite well. Enjoy.
Fresh approach to the Modern Cowboy story
The movie captures the life's challenge of a young cowboy whose goal in life is to be a rodeo bull rider. The story is full of twists and turns yet the characters take them in stride. The chapel scene with Franklin Graham is unique in the World Wide Pictures modern format of films. Yet his message that Belief in what Christ has done for us by His death and Resurrection...not our good deeds is a message most forgotten by MODERN Religious teaching. What message is more important to know? In summary, The scenery is quite breath-taking! The cast has good chemistry.I thoroughly enjoyed this film! I hope you will, too!