Dallas: War of the Ewings (1998) (TV)

Director:

Michael Preece

Writers (WGA):

Arthur Bernard Lewis (story)
Arthur Bernard Lewis (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

24 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

It has been two years since Bobby and Sue Ellen Ewing took over control of Ewing Oil. Although J.R. is successfully managing a large oil conglomerate...

Plot Keywords:

Detective | TV Series Reunion | Sequel | Third Part | Deputy Sheriff

Cast

Patrick Duffy	...	Bobby James Ewing
Linda Gray	...	Sue Ellen Shepard Ewing Lockwood
Larry Hagman	...	J.R. Ewing
Michelle Johnson	...	Jennifer Jantzen
Steve Kanaly	...	Raymond 'Ray' Krebbs
George Kennedy	...	Carter McKay
Tracy Scoggins	...	Anita Smithfield
Amanda Welles	...	J.R.'s Secretary
Philip Anglim	...	Peter Ellington
Mark Dalton	...	Rustler
Sean Hennigan	...	John Savory
Sonny Franks	...	Cowboy
Brad Leland	...	Deputy Sheriff
Jerry Cotton	...	Detective Murphy
Constance Jones	...	TV Reporter

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company:

Lakeside Productions

Movie Connections:

Followed by Doing Dallas (2000) (TV)

The worst of "Dallas"

Unfortunately this latest and currently last installment in the "Dallas" story brings an uncertain close to a great show. Dallas never got a proper ending and a lot of things were left untold. Worst of all this show offers nothing new to the series which once was so interesting and unique. On top of this it lacks the edge of the original episodes. Theres not much nastiness from JR. Hes more of a soft hearted old man now and thats not what we want. While there is a plus to womens rights which makes the film modern Sue Ellen is not even barked at by JR. Everybody seems to be friends except for a surprise appearance from Ray Krebbs whose feelings towards JR have not changed.

To really set the record clear what makes this really terrible is the lack of cast. Never did "Dallas" have so few stars. Just Ray, JR, Bobby, Carter and Sue Ellen. Wheres the rest of the best? Miss Ellie, Clayton, the kids, Jenna, Afton, Donna and most of all Cliff Barnes. Having no Cliff Barnes in the show is like having no Starsky in "Starsky and Hutch". JR and Cliff were the strength of the show and because hes nowhere to be seen, the film flops and it did exactly that with ratings and critics.

A third reunion movie should certainly be made but with a better writer. It needs to be fast, captivating, daring, wicked and entertaining. We need a surprise. A cliffhanger just like the end of each season. Pamela Barnes should be written back in because she was also an important link between the Barnes and the Ewings. Orignally we were meant to think she died but we actually never saw her die other than stroll off into the sunset.

"Dallas: War Of The Ewings" is strictly for fans only but it only keeps you waiting for some more, something better especially since we never got a definite finish!. With a Dallas remake movie around the corner and no reunion TV movie even rumoured for 2003 (the 25th anniversary of "Dallas") things look grim. Larry Hagman was a brilliant actor and was the only person anyone could see playing JR Ewing. He still entertains here despite his softer side and its nice to see progress in Sue Ellens life as she and Bobby take hold of the reins of Ewing Oil.