MovieChat Forums > Red River (1948) Discussion > Explain the cattle drive route ? spoiler

Explain the cattle drive route ? spoiler

posted 11 years ago by rich-106
2 replies | jump to latest

The D ranch is located near the Rio Grande in far south Texas. They want to go to Missouri and they get as far as the Red River which is in far north Texas. Now look at the map and Abilene is nearly directly on their route to the Red River to Missouri. How could they not find out about Abilene Railroad en route? After they get to the Red River they would have to retreat along the almost the same route they came north on to get to Abilene. Is that right?

Great movie. Just want to get a complete picture.

[–] jdlexus 11 years ago

"Abilene is nearly directly on their route to the Red River"

At the risk of misinterpreting what you're describing, you realize they are talking about Abilene, Kansas not Abilene, Texas?

I think this movie is supposed to represent the first cattle drive from Texas using the now famous Chisholm Trail, which ends in Abilene, Kansas. This would be due north of the Red River crossing used on cattle drives, so they could stay on open prairie and would not need to go east to Missouri.

[–] rich-106 11 years ago

Yup ,I was thinking of Abilene TX. Thanks. Makes much more sense now.