Nearly two decades have passed since Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones captivated television audiences with their portrayals of the iconic Texas Rangers, Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow F. Call. These characters, born from the pages of Larry McMurtry’s acclaimed novel, were immortalized in the 1989 miniseries "Lonesome Dove," a production that set a new benchmark for the television miniseries format. Now, McMurtry’s prequel to that classic tale, "Comanche Moon," aims to reignite a similar spark of excitement and critical acclaim. The highly anticipated miniseries, a three-part epic, premiered on CBS, promising viewers a journey into the rugged and untamed landscapes of the American West.
"Comanche Moon" boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring the talents of Val Kilmer, Karl Urban, and Steve Zahn. Among these stars shines the remarkable Wes Studi, a Cherokee actor renowned for his powerful portrayals of Native American characters. In "Comanche Moon," Studi takes on the challenging role of Buffalo Hump, a formidable Comanche leader.
The path to Studi’s casting was not initially straightforward. He was initially considered for a different role, while the part of Buffalo Hump was offered to the veteran actor Graham Greene. However, due to unforeseen circumstances related to Greene’s health, Studi was presented with the opportunity to embody the fierce Comanche warrior.
"I think something happened with Graham’s health, and I was offered that part afterward," Studi explained from his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. "I wanted to do it. It was the best part that I could get on that particular miniseries."
Wes Studi brings a wealth of experience and gravitas to the role of Buffalo Hump. Throughout his career, Studi has appeared in over 50 films, consistently delivering compelling performances as strong and resilient characters. He is widely recognized for his roles in cinematic masterpieces such as "Dances With Wolves," where he played the Pawnee leader, "The Last of the Mohicans," "Geronimo: An American Legend," and "The New World."
Interestingly, "Comanche Moon" marks Studi’s second foray into the "Lonesome Dove" universe. He previously appeared in the 1995 sequel, "Streets of Laredo," where he played the character of Famous Shoes, a skilled Kickapoo tracker.
"Once this airs, I will have been in the prequel and the sequel (to ‘Lonesome Dove’)," Studi remarked, adding a touch of humor. He revealed that the character he was initially offered in "Comanche Moon" engages in a conversation with a younger version of Famous Shoes. "I thought that would have been an odd one had I done that. I would be having a conversation with myself. My younger self."
The cast of "Comanche Moon" features Karl Urban as a younger incarnation of Tommy Lee Jones’s Woodrow F. Call, providing a fresh perspective on the iconic character. However, it is Steve Zahn who arguably steals the show with his portrayal of Gus McCrae, the charismatic and witty Texas Ranger previously embodied by Robert Duvall.
The narrative of "Comanche Moon" follows Gus and Call as they embark on a perilous mission to rescue the brilliant Captain Inish Scull, played by Val Kilmer. Scull, a Yankee aristocrat and a decorated hero of the Mexican War, finds himself held captive by a ruthless Mexican criminal named Ahumado. Simultaneously, Gus and Call find themselves entangled in the pursuit of the elusive Comanche leaders, including Buffalo Hump.
The relationship between Buffalo Hump and his son, Blue Duck, played by Adam Beach, adds a layer of complexity and drama to the storyline. The miniseries explores the dynamics of a father-son relationship strained by differing ideologies and ultimately culminating in a clash of wills.
"That was extremely intense," Studi recalled, referring to the scene in which Blue Duck and Buffalo Hump confront each other. "(Buffalo Hump) knows that his own son is definitely off his rocker, more or less, to put it as nicely as possible. Blue Duck was pretty nuts."
A notable aspect of "Comanche Moon" is its commitment to authenticity and realism. The miniseries incorporates subtitles and the Comanche language, adding a layer of cultural depth and historical accuracy. According to Studi, the cast and crew took the task of learning their Comanche lines with utmost seriousness.
"I think it’s a matter of studying hard," Studi explained. "As long as you know what particular words actually mean, you can punch it out and translate that emphasis pretty much like you would do it in English ’cause that’s our understanding in the mind’s eye."
He elaborated, "It’s a matter of knowing key words and understanding more or less what you’re actually saying. It’s really not that difficult except for long passages (and) the flow isn’t always as you would expect it to be in English."
Studi emphasized the importance of preserving the essence of indigenous languages while also allowing them to evolve and adapt to modern contexts. He believes that languages must remain dynamic and relevant to ensure their survival.
"Languages do change over a period of time because they have to, to be viable," said Studi, who himself spoke Cherokee exclusively until he entered grade school.
He continued, "They have to be able to invent new words and concepts and grow, otherwise they become fairly, not totally dead, but…for a lack of a better word, ill. It’s not developing and describing the world around it. A language has to be present in order to function in this world. It has to."
Studi expressed his hope that "Comanche Moon" would spark a renewed interest in the Western genre, similar to the impact of "Dances With Wolves." He believes that the success of such projects can create opportunities for Native American actors and filmmakers.
"Other filmmakers follow in the footsteps of any success that happens, and I think ‘Dances With Wolves’ was a success," said Studi.
He added, "A number of other Western-themed films and miniseries’ were put together after that. With the success of this one, I think that will happen again and get a lot of Indians more work."
While "Comanche Moon" features a character named Buffalo Hump, it is important to note that the portrayal is a fictionalized version of the historical figure. Studi prefers to view it as a semi-historical depiction of the real warrior.
"A lot of (Comanches) say at one point, the guy had kind of a hump on his back which caused that, but others tell you that his name really was in reference to his sexual prowess," Studi said with a laugh. "You know what my pick would be."
"Comanche Moon" aired as a three-part miniseries on CBS. The broadcast schedule included:
- Sunday, January 13, 9 p.m. on Channel 4 (CBS)
- Tuesday, January 15, 9 p.m. on Channel 4 (CBS)
- Wednesday, January 16, 9 p.m. on Channel 4 (CBS)
The anticipation surrounding "Comanche Moon" was high, fueled by the legacy of "Lonesome Dove" and the presence of a stellar cast led by Wes Studi. The miniseries promised a captivating journey into the heart of the American West, exploring themes of conflict, courage, and cultural identity. The "Comanche Moon" miniseries was a story that audiences would not soon forget.
Source: This article first appeared in the Great Falls Tribune. Patrick Douglas is a staff writer for the Great Falls Tribune.
