The Jack Bull

Myrl Redding (John Cusack) is an honest hard-working horse trader who cherishes the law and his rights and lives a decent life on a small horse ranch with his son, Cage (Drake Bell), his wife Cora (Miranda Otto) and some ranch hands. He clashes one day with land baron Henry Ballard (L. Q. Jones) over Wyoming's bid for statehood. If Wyoming remains a territory, Henry Ballard can continue to buy more land whereas if Wyoming becomes a state then his rights to the land will be restricted. Redding votes for statehood. When Redding attempts to take his horses to market in Casper he encounters a tollgate on Ballard's land that blocks the passage to Casper. Redding realizes that by going around he would not get his horses to market on time. Ballard tells Redding that there is a fee of ten dollars to cross his land. Redding negotiates and gives him five and leaves two black stallions as collateral for the other five dollars. He also leaves his Crow friend and worker Billy to watch over the horses. Redding arrives at Casper on time and sells his horses. On his way home Redding stops for his horses and finds Billy is missing and his horses have been mistreated. He beats one of Ballard's henchmen, Slater, and demands that his horses be returned to him healthy and fed. Ballard says he'll never do it and Redding leaves, saying Ballard has two weeks to comply with his demands.

Redding returns home and finds Billy in rough shape. Billy attempted to stop the misuse of the two horses but he was attacked by two henchmen who also set the dogs on him forcing him to flee. Redding approaches the local lawyer and asks for legal help. The lawyer advises Redding he will probably not be successful but Redding demands he proceed. Judge Wilkins, the local judge, has a financial interest in Ballard's business and tells Redding's lawyer that he is throwing the case out. Redding's wife Cora asks Redding to give her a chance to resolve the issue and departs with ranch hand Woody for Casper to plead their case before the Attorney General. Two of Ballard's henchmen overtake and beat Woody and trigger an unmanned wagon racing off that runs over Cora. Woody drives Cora back to the Reddings but she dies on the trip. Redding, distraught with the loss of his wife and realizing that the justice system will do nothing to stop Ballard, takes justice into his own hands and rallies the local farmers against Ballard.

Redding and his militia of farmers ride to Ballard's house where they rout Ballard's men and Ballard himself flees for his life for Casper. Redding burns down Ballard's stable and continues looking for Ballard. After questioning Ballard's brother-in-law who refuses to tell them where Ballard is Redding and his men burn down the merchant's barn. Redding finds a printer and has him mass-produce fliers stating that Ballard has a week to get the horses fed and healthy and returned. Ballard meanwhile, had reached Casper and pleads for help from the Governor of Wyoming himself. The Governor sends the sheriff to find and arrest Redding. The sheriff and his posse are ambushed during the night and Redding kills Ballard's man Slater when he attempts to shoot Billy. Billy, while riding and carrying posters, is shot by one of Ballard's supporters. While firing at both Billy and Myrl the man accidentally shoots his own wife and Billy and Redding escape.

Meanwhile the Governor, after conversing with Judge Joe B. Tolliver (John Goodman) and the Attorney General decides to offer Redding amnesty if he turns himself in. Redding accepts but Billy doesn't trust the offer. Billy leaves and Redding arrives in Casper to participate in the trial of Henry Ballard. During the trial the D.A.'s assistant informs the Governor that Judge Wilkins is charging Redding with two counts of murder and armed insurrection. The amnesty agreement for Redding was prepared and signed after the events took place so Redding has amnesty for these charges. The trial ends after several witnesses testify that the horses were indeed healthy stallions. Judge Tolliver agrees with Redding and orders Ballard to restore the horses to their previous health.

Redding writes a letter of support for Billy but the messenger is ambushed. The letter is used as proof to show Redding plans to continue his fight which violates his amnesty agreement and he is charged with the two counts of murder and armed insurrection. He is found guilty of the woman's murder. Billy and his Crow companions are ambushed and killed by the Army. Redding is sentenced to be hanged and Ballard is charged with perjury for lying under oath and sentenced to two years in jail, three months of which are to be spent restoring the two stallions' health.

On the day of the hanging Redding is called to inspect the two horses and confirms they are sound. Ballard curses him and claims Redding got nothing from him. Redding replies simply, "You did what I said you would." Ballard is carried away screaming and Redding is marched to the gallows. Judge Tolliver advise Judge Wilkins that he is pursuing articles of impeachment to remove Wilkins as a judge. Redding is hanged and his son Cage and Woody lead the two stallions away with Redding's body. In the background a marching band is parading down the street announcing that Wyoming has become a state.

• John Cusack – Myrl Redding
• John Goodman – Judge Joe B. Tolliver
• L.Q. Jones – Henry Ballard
• Miranda Otto – Cora Redding
• John C. McGinley – Woody
• Rodney A. Grant – Billy
• Kurt Fuller – Conrad
• Rex Linn – Shelby Dykes
• Drake Bell – Cage Redding
• Ken Pogue - Judge Wilkins
• Scott Wilson – Governor
• Dick Cusack – Jury Foreman

• Music by Lennie Niehaus
• "Ring Them Bells" – Bob Dylan

• The Jack Bull at IMDb