Review of Red River (1948) by Lucas Q — 10 Jul 2008
One of the ultimate in westerns from John Wayne is once again a film where he is not all that likable throughout. He is not as harsh as in the Searchers when you wonder if he will indeed, but here he is rough and tumble as he bulls through people to get to he?s adopted son whom he is determined will be great.
Montgomery Clift plays that son who is originally picked up by Wayne and his side kick the great Walter Brennan who find him after and Indian attacks wipes out his family. He then comes with them and is raised a cattle herder with a quick draw as Wayne?s character Thomas Dunson.
But getting money from raising cattle is hard business as the drive takes the stuffing out of any group. It?s a tale of coming of age as much as character analysis with some great wit from Howard Hawks as usual, but also with a great cinematic touch of the west with the great cattle drive, shooting, and fighting / brawling.
The greatest asset this western holds though is the way it builds up to the climatic brawl at the end, which is the films best scene as well. It is also a great ensemble work among other things.
This review of Red River (1948) was written by Lucas Q on 10 Jul 2008.
Red River has generally received very positive reviews.
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