Rio Bravo (1959)

Summary: In a town on the Mexican border sheriff John T. Chance has arrested the brother of a land baron for murder and locked him up in the jailhouse which is looked after by Stumpy, a grizzled old deputy. Out in the town he comes to the aid of Dude, a local drunk, who has to opportunity of helping him out of a difficult situation. Also amongst the crew of a visiting wagon train led by Pat Wheeler, is a young gunfighter, Colorado and also arriving on the wagon train is Feathers, a young woman who is apparently a bit of a card sharp. These people align themselves with Chance as he is required to take on a gang of gunmen, hired by the landowner to rescue his brother.  When it comes to a showdown, who will win?

Content: There is no nudity, but it is implied that Chance and Feathers get together. Chance walks about with a rifle ready to lay down the law. Dude, the drunk, regains his self respect and becomes the sheriff’s right hand man, Stumpy, despite his age is seen to be a loyal jailer, and Feathers, is seen to be a good woman, despite her reputation as a card sharp.  She also appears at one point in a costume which shows off her legs and figure, probably just for the poster and the trailer. There are minor shootouts and one climatic one, which also involves dynamite.

A View: This film has been very well thought of and has been selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry. It is said that it was written as a rebuttal of the approach taken by High Noon, where the sheriff is a bit weak. It is also said that John Wayne just played John Wayne, which he did, making the romance between him (51) and Angie Dickinson (26) absolutely ludicrous. The theme might have been a bit unusual in 1959, but is now common. In fact the same plot was used twice more by the same director in the 1960s. So, in my view there are many better westerns about, but this is one for film buffs. If you are not one of those, a watch while doing your knitting.

John Wayne is a famous actor who appeared in many films, three of which have been reviewed on this site. They are: Blood Alley, How the West Was Won and The Longest Day.