Review of Hellfighters (1968) by Funkmaster . — 17 Mar 2004

[font=Comic Sans MS]John Wayne. My most favorite cowboy of all time and a part of that group of old Hollywood that will never be seen again. A true mans man and all around terrific actor. I do believe that he became type cast as the "cowboy", only because he did it so well but he also made many WWII films and a few un-mainstream films such as The Quiet Man, 1952. An ex-boxer running away from an accidental death in the boxing ring and lands on his feet in Ireland. Beautiful scenery as well as the ever gorgous Maureen O'Hara and quaint Irish customs wrapped all around a wonderful love story. The kind of movie you can watch again and again. [/font].

[font=Comic Sans MS]The five movies I rated above are among my most favorite. Of course my most favorite is True Grit, which I rated awhile ago. Kim Darby, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Strother Martin - shall I go on? Just a great story, tremendous scenery and an award winning song by Glen Campbell, who does a nice bit of acting himself. What more could I ask for?[/font].

[font=Comic Sans MS][b]McLintock[/b] is a riot to watch, I laugh every time I watch it. The cast is terrfic from, again, the beautiful Maureen O'Hara ( a funny lady in her own right), son Patrick Wayne ( a devishly handsome young man), a very young pretty Stefanie Powers, a very funny Chill Wills, Yvonne DeCarlo (also beautiful), Jerry Van Dyke, Strother Martin, and the list goes on. You will recognize alot of stars in this movie. Just a joy to watch.[/font].

[font=Comic Sans MS][b]The War Wagon[/b] is a "heist" movie in the old west before it became a genre of its own. The movie builds & builds and you just have to stick around to see if their plan pays off! One of the best climax's ever done in a movie. Again, John Wayne is surrounded by a stellar supporting cast. Kirk Douglas is just perfect as the "I'm the handsomest cowboy in the west and don't I know it" guy, and Howard Keel is so believable as an Indian that I didn't realize it was him, plus, Robert Walker Jr. Keenan Wynn, and Bruce Cabot. Excellent cinematography and veteran actors make this film a gem.[/font].

[font=Comic Sans MS][b]The Green Berets[/b] is one of the best war flicks I've ever seen. It also portrays some very real tragedy of war. You WILL cry. Again, does this guy ever not have a great supporting cast. David Janssen, Patrick Wayne, Aldo Ray ( so under-rated), Jack Soo, Bruce Cabot, Jim Hutton (I think one of his best roles), and George Takei. A terrific story and great dialogue.[/font].

[font=Comic Sans MS][b]The Cowboys[/b] probably has one of the best stories of any film John Wayne ever did. A rancher hires boys to help get his cattle herd to market because there are no men around. They're off fighting in the war. A story of growing up and hard knocks. Plus - the best supporting cast, if you like boys! Anyway, Robert Carradine has that star quality - you just know its in his blood and the rest of the boys I recognize most as having done lots of acting gigs in other movies, tv stuff, Disney - you name it. Colleen Dewhurst, that sexy woman, has a great bit as a "Madam", not to be missed and Bruce Dern is the most low-down dirty dog this side of the Mississippi! He plays a terrific bad guy. Also - be warned this movie will make you cry at the end but don't miss it![/font].

[font=Comic Sans MS][b]Hellfighters[/b] - A terrific un-mainstream John Wayne Film. Again with the wonderful Jim Hutton, Katerine Ross and the oh so under-rated Vera Miles. The story is some-what repetitive but the action and special effects makes up for it. A group of men who travel around the world putting out oil well fires. An extremely hazardous job but you get to name your own price. The underlying story of the relationships between the two couples is just as interesting and that "stand by your man" story line. Anyway, a great movie to watch on a Saturday afternoon and highly entertaining to see John Wayne with a hard hat on instead of riding a horse into the sunset.[/font].

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[font=Comic Sans MS]Honorable Mention: Stagecoach, The Sons Of Katie Elder, The Undefeated, Chisum, and Cahill, U.S. Marshall ( a terrific performance by George Kennedy and a really good story).[/font].

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[font=Comic Sans MS]Here's the scoop - John Wayne, truly an American cinema icon. [/font].

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