True Grit (1969)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

John Wayne's bulldozing performance as eye patch-wearing Marshall Reuben J. Cogburn (a.k.a. "Rooster") is the centerpiece of the old-fashioned western "True Grit"; without Wayne, it would have been utterly unremarkable. Based on Charles Portis' novel, story involves the crusty Marshall being hired by a feisty juvenile to track down the band of killers responsible for her father's death. Though the movie is spirited and fairly enjoyable, and the Duke does some fun overplaying, the script is thin and director Henry Hathaway goes heavy on the corn. As the impertinent Mattie Ross, Kim Darby's impatient manner and bossy voice are fun qualities at first, but there's too much of her (there's also too much of Glen Campbell and Jeff Corey in support). Wayne's Oscar win for Best Actor was seen as a sentimental pick in 1970, and time has done little to change that perception. He reprised his role for the 1975 sequel, "Rooster Cogburn". Warren Oates took the lead in a later TV series. **1/2 from ****

Even on a small television screen John Wayne is a BIG big man. Not only in size, but in his incredible talent. His Rooster Cogburn is not the typical all around good-guy we have come to expect and WOW ... is he good ! Oscar worthy ? Sure .. why in heck not ? The story is well presented. The supporting cast is outstanding. Even non-actor Glen Campbell carried it off. Special mention for Robert Duvall... one of those chameleon actors who can handle the most rural or urban roles without batting an eyelash.The scenery !!! No need to say more ! One small negative... the constant overuse of the theme music. When the music is this noticeable and repetitive ... it's wrong.If you have not seen the original, I suggest that you remedy that situation as soon as possible. Just watch it and don't worry about comparing it to the re-make. That always seems to be to be a pointless activity anyway.

"True Grit" is primarily remembered today as the movie for which John Wayne finally won an Oscar, thirty years after his star-making performance in John Ford's "Stagecoach". Playing U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, Wayne beat out a virtual who's who of fellow leading men: Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton, Dustin Hoffman & Jon Voight. While the award may have been more for Wayne's body of work than for this particular role, it shows how much of an icon he was (and still is) in American cinema.The story is surprisingly traditional for a time when western movies had taken a decided turn towards revisionism (case in point, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", "The Wild Bunch" & "Once Upon a Time in the West" were all released in 1969 as well). Following her father's murder, young Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) seeks a man of 'true grit' to bring the murderer to justice. She finds her man in the form of 'The Duke', portraying drunken but deadly U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn. These two become a trio when they're joined by Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell). Together they set out on the trail of the killer, each with different motivations that sometimes put them at odds with one another.John Wayne's performance is indeed a good one, though probably not the best of his career. "The Searchers" is a popular critical choice and I consider "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" to be another strong contender. Regardless, Rooster Cogburn is an iconic character that is unlikely to have been nearly as memorable in another actor's hands. Kim Darby also received some attention for her role, in which she held her own with 'The Duke' (and every other male in the picture, for that matter). Glen Campbell was also a surprisingly effective addition to the group, despite his relative inexperience as an actor. Finally, the distinguished supporting cast deserves mention as well, particularly Strother Martin, Robert Duvall & Dennis Hopper.Long-time director Henry Hathaway contributed a workmanlike effort that took full advantage of the picturesque Colorado locations. The Elmer Bernstein score is lively, though not as iconic as his work on "The Magnificent Seven". All in all, the movie has top-notch production values that enforce the feel of classic westerns from Hollywood's golden age.One slight eccentricity of the film is the distinctive language that originated in Charles Portis's well-regarded source novel. While not as overt as in the 2010 Coen brothers' version, the dialogue may seem a little stilted at times. However, I think that the actors generally do a good job of making the material sound natural, unlike in the more recent version.Ultimately, the legacy of "True Grit" goes beyond John Wayne's Oscar win. The movie is a finely tuned western with a well matched trio of leads bolstered by a talented supporting cast and quality production values. Even in 1969, the movie probably seemed to be somewhat of a throwback; now, with the passage of more than 40 years, the movie can be seen for what it really is: timeless.

Six people a year are killed by Rooster Cogburn. He tortures his prisoners for information and enjoys it. Nowadays, we see these traits in characters such as Aldo Raine (Inglourious Basterds). Stupid and sadistic he is not move by his heroism but by his own perversion. Interestingly, in accordance with the interests of the State, this places them on the side of the good guys.John Wayne victims are men who have already been judged by facts. There is not any doubt about its guilt. They committed a crime and cease to be human, if they ever were. Wayne expresses this dehumanization of the "other" and his role as executor. In one of the best scenes, he sees a rat in his Chinese friend's pantry: "Mr. Rat, I have a written here that says you are to stop eating Chen Lee's cornmeal forthwith. (to Mattie) See? He doesn't pay any attention to me. (shoots the rat) You can't serve papers on a rat, baby sister. You either kill him or let him be."