Even though westerns are not my choice, this one I rate at the top of my list. Great performances by Wayne and Cliff. Very true to how life would have been in that era. No Hollywood Mr. Clean appearance like most westerns after this one. In 1946 when movies were made realisem was not a top priority, but this one put the viewer almost in the cattle drive itself with it's drama, dirt and dust plua a great story line. A true classic no doubt.
shareIt is a really good film in many respects. But the basic character development (and plot, to a large degree) is flawed, in that men of that era and that geography would never willingly follow a sadistic taskmaster like Tom Dunton (John Wayne). It was a very egalitarian era on the western frontier, the men would have been in it for the money but would not tolerate heavy handed, egomaniac crap and beatings/shootings like Dunton served up. But that fit the romanticized "alpha male" ethos that Howard Hawks bought into, so that's what we got.
share