It’s surprising how few people remember the excellent Western film starring Karl Urban and Val Kilmer, even though it came out almost 20 years ago. While Val Kilmer has appeared in several Westerns, this one stands out as significantly better than the rest.
Val Kilmer deserved an Oscar nomination for his fantastic performance as Doc Holliday – he’s both funny and deeply moving. Beyond that, the movie is just packed with quality; it boasts a brilliant script, a phenomenal cast, and rightfully earns its place among the greatest Westerns of the 1990s.
Now, Karl Urban isn’t exactly known for Western roles. Looking at his filmography, he’s really only done Priest, which is… well, it’s a bit of everything! Think anime meets post-apocalypse with a dash of The Searchers thrown in. But digging deeper, I stumbled upon a real surprise: Comanche Moon. It’s a miniseries adapted from Larry McMurtry’s novel and honestly, it’s a hidden gem in his work – definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the genre.
Released in 2008, Comanche Moon continues the story of Lonesome Dove, fitting chronologically between events shown in the original acclaimed 1989 miniseries. Notably, Simon Wincer – who directed the original Lonesome Dove – returned to direct this installment. Kiefer Sutherland stars as Texas Ranger Woodrow F. Call, a character previously portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, while Steve Zahn takes on the role of Gus McCrae, originally played by Robert Duvall.
Comanche Moon Is The Final Lonesome Dove Miniseries
The order of events in Comanche Moon can be a little tricky for new viewers. Although it’s the last story released so far in the Lonesome Dove series, it actually happens earlier in the lives of characters Call and Gus when they were Texas Rangers. It was followed by sequels Return to Lonesome Dove (1993) and Streets of Laredo (1995), then later by prequel stories Dead Man’s Walk (1996) and, ultimately, Comanche Moon.
The last part of the series didn’t get great reviews, but looking back, that reaction seems unfair. While the show isn’t perfect – it jumps between very serious and surprisingly silly – it’s still captivating. The cast is fantastic, featuring well-known names like Elizabeth Banks, Wes Studi, Linda Cardellini, and Melanie Lynskey, along with many other talented character actors, including Rachel Griffiths and Adam Beach (from Windtalkers).
Honestly, it wasn’t shocking that Val Kilmer got the most attention as Inish Scull – he always has a knack for stealing scenes! While his performance, and the writing itself, didn’t quite reach the heights of Tombstone, whenever he was on screen, the movie definitely got a boost. But I have to give most of the credit to Keith Urban and Zahn McClarnon. They really managed to recapture that incredible chemistry Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones had in Lonesome Dove, and that was special.
Comanche Moon Deserves To Be Rediscovered
While Comanche Moon received respectable ratings, it didn’t really leave a lasting impression after it finished airing. It doesn’t reach the level of classics like Lonesome Dove or Tombstone, but it still has plenty to offer viewers. The show boasts an impressive cast, and although Val Kilmer’s performance is somewhat over-the-top, Elizabeth Banks and Wes Studi deliver more subtle and compelling performances that add depth.
Simon Wincer is a talented Western director who doesn’t get enough recognition – films like Quincy Down Under and Monte Walsh demonstrate his skill. It’s great to see him return to the world of Lonesome Dove with Comanche Moon. While the six-hour length sometimes feels excessive, the well-developed characters and exciting action sequences more than compensate.
Ultimately, Comanche Moon is a strong Western and a satisfying conclusion to the Lonesome Dove story. If you’re looking for a lesser-known Western from the late 2000s, it’s worth checking out, especially since it stars both Karl Urban and Val Kilmer. However, if you only have time for one installment of Lonesome Dove, the original miniseries is the best choice.
2026-07-19 19:09