Review of Red River (2011) by Bob O — 29 Jan 2011
Red River is about as good as the classic Hollywood western gets. Rancher Tom Dunson (John Wayne) and his surrogate son Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift) lead a near-suicidal cattle drive from the heart of cattle country Texas to the burgeoning beef market of Missouri.
They have 1000 miles to go with 9000 steer and a cadre of ruffian farmhands, marauders, and gunslingers along for the ride. Brilliant and versatile director Howard Hawks guides this lot the whole way with excellent spatial perception and an exquisite mastery of the excitement brought on by comanche attacks, stampedes, and the looming dark heart of tough men brought to the brink by hunger, exhaustion and fear.
This long drive never drags its feet for even a moment. Red River is arguably the greatest flick Wayne or Hawks ever made.
This review of Red River (2011) was written by Bob O on 29 Jan 2011.
Red River has generally received positive reviews.
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