O.K. Let me try to gather myself. I may be getting old and drowsy in front of the computer but the case of Captain Mayne Reid and his lifetime shouldn't be forgotten for the generations to come. How is it possible that one Karl May is recognized by whole Germany as a national hero, while similarly outspoken and convincing novelist Mayne Reid (1818 – 1883) is totally forgotten. For instance, he should have been twice celebrity in both Ireland (an inborn country) and Texas (where his most popular novels evolve). Nope, I didn't find his name referenced neither in Irish or Texan literature. What a shame!
Further extrapolate my ideas on Mayne Reid. The small notice in Wikipedia is taken from Encyclopedia Britannica and is completely inadequate. It contains spoiler for "Headless Horseman" novel (and film) because most tantalizing end episodes are missing where bullet with name of the killer (Cassius Calhoun) are found in the beheaded corpse strapped to saddle. I will refrain from further comments to my Russian friends. The movie was beautifully shot in Cuba yet someone would admit that it could have been made in America. The Russians didn't produce much worthwhile cinema for 50 years period; though, this movie should be remembered and have to be released on video. Also, the Russians deserve tribute for translating the whole heritage of Captain Mayne Reid (in 20 volumes) with beautiful illustrations. It is from the old Russian translation (Tsar's Russia) that we have here the information on the author at hand. Period!
Let me continue a bit more. I Googled extensively on the Net and finally found something authentic on the issue - "Memoir of his Life" by Elizabeth Reid (n.d.) Here anyone can read the biography of the author, many useful details and extras. I will dare a single contention on one of his most intriguingly written novels, the "White Gauntlett" (1863). This is a historical romance of the time of Charles the First, when Catholics and Protestants wars were waged in Europe of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. While neither better nor worse than the novels by Walter Scott, the former is crowned as patriarch of English adventure novel while Mayne Reid is nobody.
I will finish the privilege to write on the author. Common error to any plot or scenario for good movie (or novel much the same) is lack of geographical location. Thus very seldom novels and some of the movies give maps for the exact whereabouts of the narrative. Specifically for Westerns treating the frontier life in early American Republic, the field is blank area in my opinion. I reckon most of the stories developed along the great American rivers and then came the American caravan trails. So long!
