Review of Rio Bravo (1959) by Flaviana S — 22 Dec 2010

John Wayne and Dean Martin make a fantastic team as sheriff and deputy in one of The Duke's best and infamous movie's.

John Wayne and his alcoholic partner are in deep trouble in their town once they imprison a outlaw in their jail. Now with the outlaw's team of thugs trying to kill the law and break their leader out, the sheriff must deal with protecting the town, calming his troubled friend, and keeping his mind on his job and not the seductive lady coming on to him. This is a good Western with The Duke in his most heroic role. The mission of one man up against many problems. But no matter what, he always stays the hero and finds a way. The movie might be too long for my liking, and Walter Brennan doesn't help that he is the Western equivilant to Jar Jar Binks.

All set in a little, seemingly quiet town, the creation of the town is very well done and kept up with a good Western feel. But I like most of all how the movie's director, Howard Hawks, is able to show some really good emotional scenes with Dean Martin, and some really good suspenceful scenes. (my favourite being Dean Martin entering the tavern through the front door).

Definitely one of John Waynes most iconic movies, and being one of my favourite roles of Dean Martin. This is a great Western, for the fact that it portrays it's sheriff as a man who would do anything to keep the peace, which was actually how it was back then. Some good emotion mixed with good action, Rio Bravo is one of the best American made Westerns.