HBO doesn't make them like this anymore. Honestly, they rarely did back then, either. When people sit down to watch The Jack Bull, they usually expect a standard, dusty Western where the good guy wears a white hat and the bad guy sneers from behind a handlebar mustache.
That’s not what this is. Not even close.
Released in 1999, this film is a brutal, unrelenting look at what happens when a man’s obsession with "the law" turns into a different kind of lawlessness. It stars John Cusack as Myrl Redding, a horse trader who just wants to live his life on the Wyoming frontier. He’s not a gunslinger. He’s a businessman. But things go south when a local land baron named Henry Ballard (played with a chilling, quiet arrogance by L.Q. Jones) mistreats two of Myrl’s stallions and abuses his Crow Indian caretaker.
What follows isn't a triumphant hero's journey. It is a slow-motion train wreck of stubbornness and systemic failure.
The Gritty Reality of the Frontier Legal System
Most Westerns treat the law as something that arrives in the final act to save the day. In this movie, the law is the antagonist. Myrl Redding doesn't want money; he wants his horses restored to their original condition and for Ballard to be held accountable. It sounds simple. It sounds fair.
But the frontier isn't fair.
🔗 Read more: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
If you decide to watch The Jack Bull, pay attention to the courtroom scenes. They aren't flashy. There are no "objection!" shouts or dramatic reveals. Instead, you see the grinding gears of a political machine that cares more about statehood and stability than the rights of a single horse trader. John Goodman shows up as Judge Tolliver, and he’s fantastic—not as a villain, but as a man burdened by the realization that "justice" is often a luxury the state can't afford.
The film is actually loosely based on a real-life novella called Michael Kohlhaas by Heinrich von Kleist. That story took place in 16th-century Germany. By moving the setting to 1890s Wyoming, screenwriter John Cusack (yes, he co-wrote it) and director John Badham tapped into that specific American anxiety: the fear that if you follow the rules and the system still fails you, you have no choice but to burn the system down.
Why John Cusack’s Performance Hits Different
We’re used to "Lloyd Dobler" Cusack or "High Fidelity" Cusack. We like the fast-talking, charmingly neurotic guy. In this film, he is unrecognizable. He’s grim. He’s lean. He carries a weight in his shoulders that makes you feel the Wyoming wind.
Myrl Redding is a difficult character to like sometimes. His insistence on a point of principle leads to bodies piling up. His wife, played with heartbreaking sincerity by Miranda Otto, is the one who truly pays the price for his morality. It makes you wonder: at what point does standing your ground become an act of pure selfishness?
It's a heavy question.
💡 You might also like: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
The movie doesn't give you an easy out. It doesn't tell you Myrl is a hero. It just shows you a man who can't let go. That nuance is exactly why it has maintained a cult following decades after its cable debut.
The Visuals and the Wyoming Landscape
They filmed this in Alberta, Canada, but it captures the harshness of the Wyoming territory perfectly. It’s not the postcard-perfect Western scenery you see in Yellowstone. It’s grey. It’s muddy. You can almost smell the wet wool and horse manure.
The cinematography captures the isolation of the Redding ranch. When Myrl finally snaps and starts gathering a "posse" to demand justice by force, the scale of the landscape makes their rebellion look small and desperate. They aren't an army. They’re a handful of angry men in a vast, uncaring wilderness.
A Masterclass in Supporting Actors
While Cusack is the anchor, the cast is stacked with "hey, I know that guy" actors who deliver some of their career-best work:
- John Goodman: As mentioned, his Judge Tolliver is the moral compass that has lost its North Star.
- L.Q. Jones: A legendary Western actor who brings genuine old-school grit to the role of Ballard.
- Scott Wilson: Bringing his usual gravitas to the role of Governor Mason.
- Miranda Otto: Her role is the emotional core of the first half of the film.
Where Can You Actually Watch The Jack Bull?
Finding this movie can be a bit of a hunt. Since it was an HBO Original Movie from the late 90s, it doesn't always sit front-and-center on the major streaming carousels.
📖 Related: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
- Max (formerly HBO Max): This is your first stop. Because it’s an HBO property, it cycles in and out of their library. If it’s not there today, check back next month.
- Digital Rental: It’s usually available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu for a few bucks.
- Physical Media: Honestly? If you find a DVD of this at a thrift store, grab it. The transfer isn't 4K, but the gritty film grain adds to the atmosphere.
How It Compares to Modern Westerns
If you like 1883 or Godless, you will appreciate the DNA of this film. It shares that same "New Western" DNA where the myth of the West is stripped away to reveal the survivalist horror underneath.
However, The Jack Bull is less about the action and more about the philosophy. There are shootouts, sure, but the most intense scenes are the ones where men are sitting around a table talking about what a man's word is worth. In an era of superhero movies and high-octane spectacles, this kind of slow-burn character study feels like a relic. A good relic.
The "Justice" Debate
The central conflict—that Ballard’s men worked Myrl’s horses nearly to death and left them in a state of ruin—seems small. It’s just two horses. But to Myrl, those horses represent his labor, his reputation, and his status as a free citizen.
When the local authorities refuse to even hear the case because Ballard has political connections, the movie shifts into a thriller. Myrl’s escalation from filing a lawsuit to leading an armed insurrection is a terrifyingly logical progression. It asks the audience: "What would you do if the people meant to protect you were the ones laughing at your loss?"
Most people like to think they’d be the hero. This film suggests you might just end up a casualty.
Actionable Steps for the True Cinephile
If you’re planning to watch The Jack Bull, don't just put it on in the background while you fold laundry. It’s a dense film that rewards your full attention.
- Research the source material: Read up on Michael Kohlhaas after the credits roll. Seeing how a German story from 1810 fits perfectly into the American West is a fascinating exercise in universal themes.
- Watch for the symbolism: The horses aren't just animals; they are Myrl’s soul. Notice how their physical condition mirrors his mental state throughout the film.
- Contextualize the ending: Without spoiling it, the finale is controversial. Some hate it. Some think it’s the only way the story could have ended. Form your own opinion before reading the forums.
- Look for John Cusack’s other "serious" work: If you enjoy his performance here, track down Grace Is Gone or The Frozen Ground. He’s a much more versatile actor than his 80s rom-com legacy suggests.
This isn't a "feel-good" movie. It’s a "feel-something" movie. It stays with you. It makes you look at your own stubbornness and wonder where the line is. In a world that feels increasingly polarized and litigious, the tragedy of Myrl Redding feels more relevant today than it did in 1999.