In Search of Bass Reeves (2024)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Search of Bass Reeves is a documentary film which premiered in 2024.

 

It is about the life and career of the African American lawman Bass Reeves, who was a Deputy US Marshal for more than thirty years.

 

Here is some basic information about this film:

 

** Writer and director: Dana Celeste Robinson

** Narrator: T. J. Trueh

** Language: English

** Subtitles: English

** Run time: 105 minutes

 

Several historical experts are interviewed in this film

Here are the names of the participants

Listed in alphabetical order

 

** Mark Boardman - Editor of The Tombstone Epitaph (Arizona)

 

** Arthur T. Burton - Author of the book Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves (2006)

 

** David Kennedy - Curator of the US Marshals Museum, Fort Smith, Arkansas

 

** Robert Moore - A former US Marshal, appointed by President Clinton

 

** Bill O’Neal - State Historian of Texas 2012-2018

 

** John W. Ravage - Professor Emeritus, University of Wyoming

 

** Jim Spears – He was a judge in Arkansas for more than 20 years (1992-2016)

 

** Davis S. Turk - Historian of the US Marshals Service since 2001

 

In this film, the life and career of Bass Reeves is covered in great detail. This film covers his professional life as well as his personal life.

 

Bass Reeves (1838-1910) was a Deputy US Marshal for more than thirty years (1875-1907). He was a police officer for two years (1907-1909).

 

He was not the first African American to serve as a Deputy US Marshal, but he was one of the first African Americans to have this position.

 

During his long career as a lawman, he arrested more than 3,000 suspects and brought them to Fort Smith where they were tried in a court of law.

 

The presiding judge in the court of law in Fort Smith was for many years Isaac Charles Parker (1838-1896).

 

Bass Reeves had a dangerous job. He was involved in several violent situations where shots were fired by guns and rifles, but he was never wounded. He survived, because he was careful, clever, and lucky.

 

He was married twice:

 

** His first wife was Jennie Haynes. They were married in 1864. They were married until her death in 1896.

 

** His second wife was Winnie Sumter. They were married in 1900. They were married until his death in 1910.

 

He was the father of eleven children. Some of them died before him.

 

What do reviewers say about this film?

 

Here are two results:

 

On IMDb it has a rating of 57 percent.

 

On Amazon there are at the moment 14 ratings of this product, including three with reviews.

 

The average rating is 4.8 stars, which corresponds to a rating of 96 percent.

 

In my opinion, the rating on IMDb is too low, while the rating on Amazon is more appropriate.

 

The participants are well chosen. They offer relevant information and important perspectives on the case.

 

As far as I can tell, this film is what I call an ABC product, because it is:

 

** Accurate,

** Balanced, and

** Comprehensive

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

REFERENCES

 

# 1. The following item is available online

 

Henry C. Parke

“In Search of the Real Bass Reeves,”

True West

17 April 2024

 

# 2. Several items from the online Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture are relevant, including the following:

 

** Indian Territory by Dianna Everett

 

** Isaac Charles Parker (1838-1896) by Roger H. Tuller

 

** Bass Reeves (1838-1910) by Arthur T. Burton

 

# 3. Books

 

The Black Badge: Deputy United States Marshal Bass Reeves from Slave to Heroic Lawman

By Paul L. Brady

(2005)

 

Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves

By Arthur T. Burton

(2006)

 

The Legend of Bass Reeves: Being the True and Fictional Account of the Most Valiant Marshal in the West

By Gary Paulsen

(2008)

 

# 4. Film and video

 

Lawmen: Bass Reeves

A historical drama which premiered in 2023

A miniseries divided into eight episodes

Created by Chad Feehan

 

The role of Bass Reeves is played by David Oyelowo (born 1976), while the role of Judge Isaac Parker is played by Donald Sutherland (1935-2024).

 

Bass Reeves:

Runaway Slave to Lawman

34 minutes – available on YouTube

 

Bass Reeves:

The Lone Ranger

16 minutes – available on YouTube

 

Legends of the Old West:

Bass Reeves - Deputy US Marshal

23 minutes – available on YouTube

 

*****

 

Lawmen:

Bass Reeves

A historical drama

Based on a true story

A miniseries in eight episodes

(2023)

 

*****