Red River

Rating:
Summary: A classic western from John Wayne and Howard Hawkes
Review: Red River is a great western with an all-star cast headed by John Wayne and Montgomery Clift in his film debut. In 1851, Tom Dunson rides into south Texas with plans of starting a cattle ranch. Fourteen years later in 1865 after the Civil War, Dunson has his cattle ranch, but he is broke since no one is willing to buy his cattle. Dunson decides to drive 9,000 head of cattle to Missouri at all costs. On the trail, he becomes a tyrant, obsessed only with getting the cattle to market. His tyranical behavior begins to wear on his men causing his right hand man, Matt Garth, to take over the herd. This is an excellent western from director/producer Howard Hawkes. They just do not make them like this anymore. Huge cast, great musical score from Dimitri Tiomkin, exciting action, and well-developed characters makes Red River one of my favorite John Wayne westerns.

Similar to his performance in John Ford's The Searchers, John Wayne plays a character against type as Tom Dunson, the dedicated yet cruel cattle baron who will get his herd to market at all costs. Montgomery Clift matches Wayne step for step as Matt Garth, Dunson's adopted son and right hand man on the drive. Joanne Dru plays the obligatory love interest, Tess Millay, who Matt falls in love with on the trail. The always great Walter Brennan plays Groot Nadine, Dunson's close friend. The impressive list of supporting actors include John Ireland, Noah Berry JR, Harry Carey JR, Paul Fix, Hank Worden, Chief Yowlachie, and Ray Hyke. Red River also stars Harry Carey Sr., Coleen Gray, Mickey Kuhn, and Wally Wales. The DVD is in standard presentation with production notes, but no other extras are included. For a classic western with a great cast headed by John Wayne and Montgomery Clift, check out Red River!

Rating:
Summary: ***** Movie. ** DVD.
Review: "Red River" deserves the adulation that critics, film scholars, and most importantly audiences have lavished on it since its premiere in 1948. One of the earliest "psychological" westerns, preceded by Selznick's "Duel in the Sun" (1946) and followed by King's "The Gunfighter" (1950), etc., "Red River" maintains interest after half a century due to the unique tensions between its characters, and the supreme skill with which those characters are played. Set against the backdrop of the first cattle drive along the Chisum Trail, the story basically boils down to an epic conflict between two men of different generations. John Wayne is the older sharp-shooter who builds up an empire through ruthless wiles and steely determination; Montgomery Clift, who is equally proficient with a gun, is the young surrogate son who tends to manage through intellect and reason rather than violence. These two opposing personalities and styles eventually erupt into a mortal combat under the strain of driving over 9,000 head of cattle across the hostile terrain of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

As the volatile Dunson, John Wayne gives one of his most finely nuanced performances. Living by a personal code of ethics which doesn't always translate into lawful or even rational behavior, Wayne is neither sympathetic nor deplorable; he's simply human. His performance is bolstered by the contrast provided by the quietly charasmatic Montgomery Clift, whose unspoken love and respect for Wayne's father figure shine through the fear and intimidation he expresses. (Remarkably, this was Clift's first performance in front of the movie cameras; the stage-trained actor seems to have adapted instinctively to the more subtle technique required of film work.) Various other characters come between these two to create some memorable triangles throughout the film. Three-time Oscar winner Walter Brennan is wonderful as Wayne's longtime sidekick whose allegiance eventually shifts over to Clift; Paul Fix also does a fine job in a minor role as the character whose fate jumpstarts the conflict between the two leading men. Most fascinating among the supporting cast is John Ireland who plays the curiously-named Cherry; the Freudian scene in which he and Clift admire each other's pistols, and then commence to shoot them off together is simply astonishing. It's worth noting that Cherry is the first one to try and intervene during the climactic showdown between Wayne and the "son" he contemptuously characterizes as "soft"; equally significant is the fact that the character who finally brings resolution into the movie is a "strong" woman (played by Joanne Dru).

The MGM DVD release of this classic United Artists film is, in my humble opinion, abominable. The source print is visually a disaster, chock full of lines, jumps, flutters, speckles, and other visual noise. The grays are grainy and at one point, the picture even is briefly - and distractingly - out of focus. The sound isn't much better: it crackles and pops and the volume is inconsistent. Adding insult to injury, there are no extras at all, not even cast biographies or production notes, much less a theatrical trailer. This is one classic film that demands - and richly deserves - to be restored, remastered and repackaged.

Rating:
Summary: The reed that will not bend in the wind will break
Review: "Red River" is a strong, driving film, powering down its values and message with all of the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Like Hannibal leading elephants over the Alps, John Wayne leads his massive army of cattle through the impassible terrain, through the mountains, valleys and rivers. His character, Thomas Dunson, is the usual Western stereotype of a hard, uncompromising man with a will of iron.

The surprises, and the true quality of "Red River," is when the story strays from its cliche and into the uncharted territory of the human soul. Standard issue masculine values, such as duty, loyalty and strength are on display, but not always resolved in an expected manner. John Wayne plays an excellent anti-hero, and Montgomery Clift is the perfect heir-apparent.

The weakness of "Red River" lies in its Western cliche, of which there are many, and in its unnecessary foreshadowing of events. A better director might have allowed the story to unfold without telling the audience exactly what was going to happen 3 moves in advance.

Not a classic along the lines of "High Noon," "The Searchers" or "Unforgiven," but still a standout Western for any fan of the genre. Has one of the funniest lines about beef that I have heard, sounding like an advertisement for the Beef Council.

Rating:
Summary: ***** Movie. ** DVD.
Review: "Red River" deserves the adulation that critics, film scholars, and most importantly audiences have lavished on it since its premiere in 1948. One of the earliest "psychological" westerns, preceded by Selznick's "Duel in the Sun" (1946) and followed by King's "The Gunfighter" (1950), etc., "Red River" maintains interest after half a century due to the unique tensions between its characters, and the supreme skill with which those characters are played. Set against the backdrop of the first cattle drive along the Chisum Trail, the story basically boils down to an epic conflict between two men of different generations. John Wayne is the older sharp-shooter who builds up an empire through ruthless wiles and steely determination; Montgomery Clift, who is equally proficient with a gun, is the young surrogate son who tends to manage through intellect and reason rather than violence. These two opposing personalities and styles eventually erupt into a mortal combat under the strain of driving over 9,000 head of cattle across the hostile terrain of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

As the volatile Dunson, John Wayne gives one of his most finely nuanced performances. Living by a personal code of ethics which doesn't always translate into lawful or even rational behavior, Wayne is neither sympathetic nor deplorable; he's simply human. His performance is bolstered by the contrast provided by the quietly charasmatic Montgomery Clift, whose unspoken love and respect for Wayne's father figure shine through the fear and intimidation he expresses. (Remarkably, this was Clift's first performance in front of the movie cameras; the stage-trained actor seems to have adapted instinctively to the more subtle technique required of film work.) Various other characters come between these two to create some memorable triangles throughout the film. Three-time Oscar winner Walter Brennan is wonderful as Wayne's longtime sidekick whose allegiance eventually shifts over to Clift; Paul Fix also does a fine job in a minor role as the character whose fate jumpstarts the conflict between the two leading men. Most fascinating among the supporting cast is John Ireland who plays the curiously-named Cherry; the Freudian scene in which he and Clift admire each other's pistols, and then commence to shoot them off together is simply astonishing. It's worth noting that Cherry is the first one to try and intervene during the climactic showdown between Wayne and the "son" he contemptuously characterizes as "soft"; equally significant is the fact that the character who finally brings resolution into the movie is a "strong" woman (played by Joanne Dru).

The MGM DVD release of this classic United Artists film is, in my humble opinion, abominable. The source print is visually a disaster, chock full of lines, jumps, flutters, speckles, and other visual noise. The grays are grainy and at one point, the picture even is briefly - and distractingly - out of focus. The sound isn't much better: it crackles and pops and the volume is inconsistent. Adding insult to injury, there are no extras at all, not even cast biographies or production notes, much less a theatrical trailer. This is one classic film that demands - and richly deserves - to be restored, remastered and repackaged.

Rating:
Summary: How did AFI top 100 miss this one? "Might be ol Cookie..."
Review: A magnificient western. Very authentic with great story and acting all the way around. Duke and Brennan should sell ya right there! Plenty of great lines with action to match. Absolutley the best stampede of all film history. I read there were 9000 cattle used in the filming of this scene. DVD picture is great for such an old movie and is a notch above my vhs remastered copy. Too bad there are no extras on this DVD. I'll admit I was disappointed at the way they chose to end it as in the book, Mr. Dunston was killed by Matt. That's Hollywood for ya. This one is not to be missed!

Rating:
Summary: The Psychological Cattle Drive Classic
Review: A MUST for western fans. Howard Hawks, an underrated director, excelled in making films dealing with men in trouble (see To Have and Have Not, Seargent York.) The psychological dynamics of two men in confrontation are explored here and contribute to making this one of the top ten westerns in film history. Bogdanovich in his great film "The Last Picture Show" detailing the lives of two teen age boys in a small western town in the 50's (from the novel by Larry McMurtry) has them repeatedly visiting the only movie house in town where "Red River" is playing thus paying homage to this great film, it's creator Hawks and alerting us to the plight of the two young boys about to become men...in trouble. This is one bitchin' film.

Rating:
Summary: AN AMERICAN MASTERPIECE
Review: Although there are definitely weaknesses in the screenplay and score for RED RIVER, there is also no question that this film is an American masterpiece.

Howard Hawks who directed one of the best comedies Hollywood ever produced, BRINGING UP BABY, took on an almost impossible task: making an adult Western, basically a cattle drive- inspired remake of MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY, with over 9,000 head of cattle and the men who, for various reasons, go on the drive from Texas to Kansas. John Wayne is the boss, Dunson the cattle baron, who becomes obsessed with his mission--getting his cattle sold and onto the railroad. If there is a "villain" in the movie, Dunson is it and Wayne plays him wonderfully. The drive, itself, takes over three months and it is grueling: psychological, as well as physical, problems beset the men. Wayne's "adopted" son, Matthew, is second in command and it is the relationship between these two men that makes up the heart of the movie and makes the movie as deep and moving as it is.

Director Hawks had seen a young actor in a Broadway play and brought him to Hollywood to make his screen debut as "Matthew." In this crutial role, Hawks had discovered one of the most under-rated, talented, complicated, handsome actors Hollywood ever saw: Montgomery Clift. If Clift had done no film work besides Fred Zinneman's FROM HERE TO ETERNITY and Hawks' RED RIVER, he'd deserve a place in cinema history.

Quibbles? The score by Dmitri Tiomkin could certainly stand to be a bit more subtle; both the creation by the writers and the playing by Joanne Dru of the major female role is completely one dimensional; the last few moments of the movie are as silly as the rest of the two hours+ are fascinating. So, an altogether thrilling movie, even with a few faults.
If for no other reason, all true movie lovers must see the way the stampede is filmed. The D.V.D. version has no "extras" to speak of, but the print looks beautiful. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Rating:
Summary: THE Western!
Review: An unsatisfactory ending( for some) does not hinder at all the impact of this great Western.

When you have charismatic actors on the screen and Howard Hawks behind the camera ..a little suspension of reality might be in order. Clifts first big role on screen. Walter Brennan proves again why he won three oscars over a career.

Wayne, in a mostly unsympathetic role is really good( as in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence") Thats Harry Carey Sr. at the end of the trail ..

Beware of another version on Tv that has Brennan in narration at the start of the film. A Tribute to this film was the fact that it was " The Last Picture" in ..."The Last Picture Show" Fittingly....

Rating:
Summary: Comments to the product
Review: Bad copy! Need a restored one! What a shame!
Manuel De Sica

Rating:
Summary: Head strong bossy
Review: Being the useual head strong and fully in charge.