Red River (1948)

[PowerRR]

Red River - 7/10
Enjoyable movie, though it felt at times like a 'B-Movie with A-Actors'. Hated the ending.

[Groggy]

Red River - 7/10
Enjoyable movie, though it felt at times like a 'B-Movie with A-Actors'. Hated the ending.

Agreed - that is one of the worst endings in movie history, especially after all the set-up.

[dave jenkins]

The one flaw of the film, a real cop-out of an ending. Is it possible yet to enjoy the movie for its many good points? Yes, to the point where I consider it one of the 10 best Westerns ever made.

[Tucumcari Bound]

Agreed - that is one of the worst endings in movie history, especially after all the set-up.

Wow, no way in hell do I agree with that. Red River is a masterpiece. One of the best films of the genre. It's so unbelievably underrated it's not even funny. 10/10

[Groggy]

Wow, no way in hell do I agree with that. Red River is a masterpiece. One of the best films of the genre. It's so unbelievably underrated it's not even funny. 10/10

First of all, "Red River" is hardly "underrated", inasmuch as it's routinely listed among the greatest Westerns of all time.

Second of all, you think the ending where Joanne Dru breaks up a fight between Wayne and Montgomery Clift with some long-winded scolding is brilliant? I was not referring to the film in general, merely the ending. I think it's good but not a masterpiece, though it has a great cast like Wayne, Clift, Brennan, and others.

[Jill]

Red River is very good! I'm not a big Wayne fan, but he was terrific in this. And Clift is so handsome boy... 

It could be better with a sad ending, but in those times it was impossible...

[Groggy]

But which version did you see? The Restoration is much superior to the original theatrical release.

I watched it on AMC. 

[dave jenkins]

So . . . you didn't even see it in its OAR? Well, Grogs, I'd say you still haven't seen it, then.

[The Firecracker]

So . . . you didn't even see it in its OAR? Well, Grogs, I'd say you still haven't seen it, then.

The same with DYS. Get out there and watch it for real Groggy!

[Tucumcari Bound]

Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) is driving his cattle to Red River when his adopted son (Montgomery Clift), Matthew, turns against him.

I was going through the thread here and was surprised to see there wasn't anything on "Red River." This is possibly my favorite John Wayne film. His performance in my opinion was Oscar worthy. He was downright cool as the hard-nosed, stubborn cattle driver. This is arguably Howard Hawks greatest film.

[Groggy]

Yet another movie I saw as a kid but haven't seen in many, many years.

[Tucumcari Bound]

Yet another movie I saw as a kid but haven't seen in many, many years.

Revist it soon if you can Groggy. I'd like to read your thoughts.

[Groggy]

I just missed out due to my schedule on getting to take a Westerns film course at Pitt next semester. We'll see what example of a Western they'll show us for Intro to Film Genres. (Probably The Searchers, an experience I'm not relishing reliving after my experience with it last year ).

[Atlas2112]

Great movie, i think it's in my top 5 or 10 american westerns. Seems very different from other westerns, Like when Wayne shoots the mexican (harsh...) or just the fact of how much of an asshole wayne's character is. At first i thought the romantic subplot was very good and not overbearing for once, that was until we got to that copout ending. Great movie, but a shame about the ending 

On a side note: It's fun looking at this through a modern perspective and laughing at all the homosexual overtones. Not even particularly subtle either, "Hows about we go out back and measure our pistols", "i like the grip of your pistol"

[Tucumcari Bound]

Great movie, i think it's in my top 5 or 10 american westerns. Seems very different from other westerns, Like when Wayne shoots the mexican (harsh...) or just the fact of how much of an asshole wayne's character is. At first i thought the romantic subplot was very good and not overbearing for once, that was until we got to that copout ending. Great movie, but a shame about the ending 

On a side note: It's fun looking at this through a modern perspective and laughing at all the homosexual overtones. Not even particularly subtle either, "Hows about we go out back and measure our pistols", "i like the grip of your pistol"

It's funny you bring up the ending Atlas. As much as I love the film, I always thought the ending was a copout. I would have loved to see Dunson have it out with Matthew upon meeting up with him in the film's conclusion. This film did not have to end on a high note.