Ride With the Devil

by James Schamus, Daniel Woodrell

Ride with the Devil continues writer-producer James Schamus's collaboration with Ang Lee, who also directed Sense and Sensibility. Following up on the success of Lee's The Ice Storm, for which Schamus was awarded Best Screenplay at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, Ride with the Devil—adapted from Daniel Woodrell's novel—tells the epic story of a group of young Bushwhackers, the Missouri guerrilla fighters who waged a desperate and bloody battle against Union occupiers during the Civil War. As the war progresses, two of the fighters—a former slave (portrayed by Tony Award winner Jeffrey Wright) and the son of an immigrant worker (Pleasantville's Tobey Maguire)—find they have more in common with each other than with their comrades, who begin to suspect them of treason. The film also stars Skeet Ulrich, who appeared
in As Good As It Gets and Scream, and the acclaimed young singer Jewel in her film debut.

In addition, the book will include a Foreword by Lee on the making of the movie; an Introduction by Schamus that discusses the challenge of bringing novels to life on the screen; and copious notes detailing why the finished film—which is to be released by Universal Studios in the fall of 1999—differs from the production script, giving the behind-the-scenes reasons why.

143 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Debbie]

3.5 – very compelling writing and was a great example to see how to write action sequences esp with war context that really springs off the page. Not sure if I'm convinced of the characterisation + dynamics, though I'm curious if Ang's direction and the acting will elevate this one on screen.