John Wayne:American Legend

Rating:
Summary: A good, but not great, look at the Duke's life
Review: I believe there have been few Americans in the last 50 years who do not recognize John Wayne, and even fewer who have never seen him. The Duke has become a great American legend. But despite all his fame, most people know relatively little about his life. Wayne became so famous that the name "John Wayne" became associated more with a mythical figure than with a real man. This biography attempts to go behind the manly, tough-as-nails American hero and tries to discover the real John Wayne.

For only being 100 minutes long, the documentary is surprisingly good. It is not easy to chronicle the career of a man who made over 150 films in less than two hours. Despite this, however, I felt that this film overlooked some important elements in Wayne's career, including many of his best-loved films like the Cowboys and El Dorado. Also, the film gives the Duke's film total at 169, while I have seen several other (good) sources which seem to agree on the neighborhood of 153. This is a minor detail, of course, but worth mentioning.

Despite its shortcomings, this was an enjoyable documentary, certainly worth the time it took to watch it. Any fan of the Duke will enjoy this film, even if for no other reason than a visual chronology of (most of) the highlights of John Wayne's extremely illustrious career.

Rating:
Summary: A good, but not great, look at the Duke's life
Review: I believe there have been few Americans in the last 50 years who do not recognize John Wayne, and even fewer who have never seen him. The Duke has become a great American legend. But despite all his fame, most people know relatively little about his life. Wayne became so famous that the name "John Wayne" became associated more with a mythical figure than with a real man. This biography attempts to go behind the manly, tough-as-nails American hero and tries to discover the real John Wayne.

For only being 100 minutes long, the documentary is surprisingly good. It is not easy to chronicle the career of a man who made over 150 films in less than two hours. Despite this, however, I felt that this film overlooked some important elements in Wayne's career, including many of his best-loved films like the Cowboys and El Dorado. Also, the film gives the Duke's film total at 169, while I have seen several other (good) sources which seem to agree on the neighborhood of 153. This is a minor detail, of course, but worth mentioning.

Despite its shortcomings, this was an enjoyable documentary, certainly worth the time it took to watch it. Any fan of the Duke will enjoy this film, even if for no other reason than a visual chronology of (most of) the highlights of John Wayne's extremely illustrious career.

Rating:
Summary: A Legend which will last forever!
Review: I have completely enjoyed anything that has been shown for John Wayne. Since I was a little boy, my mother would take me to see his movies and it never showed ignorant cussing or sex scenes that would appaul the parents. He showed manhood and decency to us kids. I wish I could spend hours of telling how this man impressed me. And how it helped me become a well educated and successful businessman. May it continue to help children learn how to be somebody.

Rating:
Summary: Great Biography!
Review: I have watched numerous A&E Biographies, and this has to be one of the best ever. Anyone who is a fan of John Wayne or old Westerns should definitely own this tape; you will not be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Great Biography!
Review: I saw this when it aired on A&E, and though I have always been a huge fan of John Wayne, there were a great many things that I did not know. I found out about parts of his life and career, some I was disappointed with, but mostly it opened my eyes. I appreciate John Wayne more now than ever, as a man, an actor, and a human. I highly recommend this video.