Rating: 
Summary: A Perfect Example of why Widescreen isn't always good
Review: This picture was shot in Academy ratio (which approximates TV), not widescreen format, and Hawks composed his shots in that format. The picture was shown in theaters by using a "matte", which cuts the top and bottom of the picture off to imitate Panavision. Therefore, the "widescreen" DVD actually reduces the amount of picture area (just compare it to the full screen VHS print: you get the same width of picture, but the top and bottom are cut off and the composition looks wrong.) El Dorado looks much better in full screen format, so buy the VHS. The same is true of films like Batman, Jurassic Park and The Lost World. Only James Bond movies seem to be shot in actual widescreen anymore.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre
Review: "El Dorado" is so hokey, one has to wonder if John Wayne was attempting a self-parody. Seriously, a film featuring Wayne, Robert Mitchum and James Caan should feature some great lines and excellent interaction. Alas, the story is tepid. Near as I can figure Wayne, Mitchum and Caan who (lamentably) are all on the same side, become involved in the classic struggle of some good ranchers vs. some bad ranchers. Though on the basis of what's on the screen, I had a hard time figuring out why I should really care which side won. Ed Asner plays the head of the villinous group, but he does so little on screen that its difficult to fathom why he's the bad guy. Caan is largley wasted in the role of the young knife thrower Wayne takes under his wing. After a couple of good early scenes, he sort of fades into the background. The subplot about Mitchum's drinking is laughable and Wayne struts through the movie as if he's phoning in his performance. Much of the second half of the film is spent with our heros holed up at the jailhouse against the forces of evil. To get information and supplies, they keep sneaking out the back door and THE BAD GUYS NEVER CATCH ON TO THIS. Overall, this hokey Western is barely worth the time it takes to watch.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe the Duke's Best
Review: I'm 53 years old and have loved John Wayne since first seeing him at the movies as "Hondo" as a boy. I loved Rio Bravo, but have to give the edge to this remake. As good as the original was, El Dorado is more enjoyable and convincing to me. The Duke is as good as he ever was in his usual role as the hired gun with a conscience whose reputation alone strikes fear into the hearts of the bad guys. Few western actresses could match the young Angie Dickinson in Rio Bravo, but the male supporting cast is better in El Dorado. Mitchum is excellent, young James Caan adds charm and humor and Arthur Hunnicutt nearly steals the show in the Walter Brennan role as Mitchum's loyal, but crusty deputy, Bull. For my money, Hunnicutt is one of the great homespun character actors of all time and this is certainly one of his very best performances. Most don't know his name like they do the great Walter Brennan's but he's just as good or better. A then noname Ed Asner and Christopher George (TV's The Rat Patrol) are excellent as the main bad guys. George is actually somewhat likeable as a man willing to sell his gun to the most odious of crooks, but still possessed of a sense of fair play. Jim Davis (Jock Ewing of TV's Dallas) plays one of Asner's henchmen. This is just a great cast telling a great old west story. A recent biography of director Howard Hawks points out that Hawks badly needed a hit late in his career when El Dorado was put together. His effort is evident. Even the opening credits are great--a series of beautiful western paintings by Olaf Wieghorst, who also appears as the gunsmith, "The Swede." The title song by George Alexander is memorable as well. BTW, the poem Caan keeps quoting, which serves as the foundation for the title song, was Edgar Alan Poe's last poem--"El Dorado", of course. The movie was filmed just west of Tucson, AZ in what is today Old Tucson--a must tour for anyone interested in westerns. Westerns are still filmed there. Movies filmed there include Rio Bravo, El Dorado, McClintock, and Rio Lobo by Wayne, as well as many others such as Joe Kidd, Tombstone and even The Three Amigos.
Rating:
Summary: The Duke shows his age, but he wears it well
Review: This movie still remains one of my favorite westerns. John Wayne, in fine form, plays his stock character, the Rattlesnake-quick hired gunfighter, but with one problem--A bullet in his back from an old injury causes paralysis in his gun hand at the most inopportune moments. In the end, he is forced to resort to trickery to defeat the villian of the piece, another hired gunfighter played with icy calmness by Christopher George. The Duke begins to show his age in this movie, but just like fine wine he only seems to improve as he gets older. Also included is the unforgettable Robert Mitchum, as the sheriff on a full-fledged drunken bender. The two actors complement each other quite well, although sometimes it seems they compete for the camera. Also included in the cast is a very young (but still unmistakable) James Caan, the beautiful Charlene Holt as The Duke's long-suffering girlfriend, and Arthur Hunnicut as the noisy, loveable old coot who, along with Caan's character, provides some strong comic relief. If you don't recognize either of those last two names, don't worry--I didn't either. Note to parents: While there is a lot of gunplay and fistfighting in this movie, remember, it was made back in the 60's--blood and gore are kept to a minimum.
Rating:
Summary: Great Fun and Action Western from Wayne and Hawks
Review: Despite comparisons to Howard Hawks' earlier "Rio Bravo" this film stands on its own for pure entertainment. John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Arthur Hunnicutt and Christopher George are all excellent thanks to Hawks' bawdy direction and Leigh Brackett's fun script full of homespun dialogue. Howard Hawks was really a master at building up characterizations as a way of moving the most simple of plots to deliver a good piece of entertainment. He was also a master of balancing good action scenes with humorous situations and character interplay as this film also proves. There is great camaraderie among all the actors in this film that really comes across. This is a good film. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Duke is the best
Review: This is one of the those movies you could never get tired of watching. Wayne and Caan were excellent together, and I regret they did make another movie together. Mitchum also worked well with Wayne. The give and take they throw at one another always keeps me laughing. It also pulls out a little sadness and sympathy, like when Luke McDonald is shot and how bad Thornton (Wayne) feels. McCloud also is a sympathic character. Though Wayne's adversay in the movie, he is not a bad man. A very enjoyable movie.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Western/are you all mad???
Review: What kind of fans are you?!This movie does not deserve to be ranked below ANY of the other John Wayne Classics. This movie was funny, action, and held a great deal of human values. The song alone is worth more than 4 and one half stars. Shame on you people!
Rating:
Summary: Did We Forget About Maudie?
Review: This is a great John Wayne flick.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Western in all it's majesty
Review: an againg gunman(Wayne)and a Tough sherrif(Mitchum)square off against a ruthless cattle baron. Exciting shootouts throughtout lives up to its predessocr "RIO BRAVO" Definatly one of the Duke's all time best. Another highlight in the film is James Cann in one of his earliest performances.
Rating:
Summary: Ride Boldly Ride!
Review: Splendid class-A western of the good old entertaining kind.First class title-song and music and relaxed, enjoyable acting by Wayne, Mitchum and James Caan. Hunnicutt not as funny as Brennan was in Rio Bravo.Christopher George makes great villain. Delightful friendly/ironic approach to getting older and vulnerable. All in all: note quite as good as Rio Bravo - but indeed in the same league.
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