MovieChat Forums > The Shootist (1976) Discussion > I don't like John Wayne BUT I LOVE THIS ...

I don't like John Wayne BUT I LOVE THIS MOVIE

posted 13 years ago by BelleCBelle
5 replies | jump to latest

Perhaps because this was Wayne's final film, and the character died of cancer as did Wayne, but for whatever reason, everything about this movie just clicked for me. The movie was a very good story told quite well. I also love him in "The Quiet Man," (as I love the entire film), and I also enjoy "Stagecoach," "Fort Apache," "Tie a Yellow Ribbon," "Rio Grande" (I have read they are called the "Trilogy"), and "They Were Expendable" - I also like Robert Montgomery and Donna Reed. This is my favorite war film.

Separating an actor from his or her beliefs is difficult for me, and there are films I cannot watch because of the actor's public beliefs; not those as reported in The National Enquirer, but as reported in legitimate sources. Therefore I have always had a difficult time watching a John Wayne film due to his extreme right-wing beliefs and the fact he was a bigot.

This is an area where I am torn. Do I ignore an artist's beliefs and set my own moral convictions aside or do I stay true to who I am..............and miss what might be a good movie? I still don't fully know the answer, but I do know there are several actors who have, in my judgement, gone so far beyond the pale that I will NEVER watch a film they are in, have been in, or will ever be in.

http://bipolarbellesblog.blogspot.com/

[–] wrlord2001 13 years ago

Then you can rest easy - because your "facts" are just plain wrong. The man didn't have a bigoted bone in his body, according to the black, Mexican and Indian actors who worked with him.

[–] crestviewfarms 12 years ago

You have watched a good sample of the Duke's best movies, up to and including The Shootist. Are you still "true to yourself"? If so, then perhaps your question is already answered.

I am, though, aware of first-hand accounts of Wayne's authenticity and graciousness. You can read some of his recent 100-year Birthday tributes for good examples. Further, you can look to his work on The Undefeated and The Cowboys for examples of Wayne's working with people of differing world views.

[–] movies789 11 years ago

"...and the character died of cancer..."

Not to split hairs, but he died of multiple bullet wounds, ending in two shotgun blasts to the back - not cancer.

[–] plumlogan 11 years ago

Is part of deciding whether to read an author or view a painting influenced by first researching their personal and political lives to affirm that your views are in harmony, or do you passively allow information to find its way to you and make determinations based on that?

If it is the ladder, feel free to question the reality of your rigidity.

[–] joegerardi (384) 7 years ago

It would depend, of course. Would you also not watch people of similar political beliefs to yours that prostitute those beliefs by using guns in movies? (As an example)

Because if so then of course- you're being true to your ideologies, but is not, not because - and I mean no offense here, even though it will read like I do - it's a hypocritical system you have. it's akin to PETA members who have no problem wearing leather shoes, or carry leather handbags, all the while whingeing about animals "rights."

OR...

You can accept it's a movie - their job if you will - and they're simply doing a job to entertain you. If you were entertained, then just enjoy it.

Oh, and watch The Searchers if you want to see a performance of a lifetime.

..Joe