I haven’t seen the film that was made ten years later, but apparently it was extensively re-written from Milius’ draft. It’s about the re-establishment of the Texas Rangers after the civil war, in particular the raids into Mexico by the glamorous, dying former Confederate officer McNelly – a colourful time in history which has led to surprisingly few movies before now. The other two lead characters are a dumb country hick and a sophisticated city boy who become friends.
I couldn’t help feeling Milius would have had more fun with this had he written it during his great days of the 70s when he was capable of sending up these military figures as well as admiring them. From the 80s onwards he seemed to take himself and his characters more seriously – maybe he knew too many of these people in real life. The story is simple - the Rangers form and go after some cattle thieves. There are some great scenes like when rich kid Lincoln cheats at cards and is busted and McNelly give a speech about the importance of sticking by your mates, and some great old school Western dialogue. But it seems to lack a little pep and pizazz.
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