Red River

directed by Howard Hawks
List(s):"Movie One"
Category: "Western"
Year of Release:1948
Date Added:12/31/2014
Date Watched:08/13/2015
Description:Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) on his way to start a cattle ranch in Texas, meets Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift), a boy who is the sole survivor on an Indian attack on a wagon train. Dunson takes Matt along and considers him his son. Years later, when the herd is grown large, there is no market in Texas. Dunson decides to drive the cattle to Missouri. He hires enough men to join but tells them that once they sign on, they have to stick with it till it's over. As the drive goes on, Dunson becomes more obsessed — driving the men and ruling with an iron hand. When three decide to leave, Dunson shoots them. But when two more deserters are caught and about to be hung, Matt intervenes and takes the herd and the men. Instead of going to Missouri, where gangs of outlaws are likely to attack, he takes them to Kansas. Dunson rides home, gathers a force and pursues. Matt gets the herd to Kansas and sells them for a good profit. Along the way, he rescues a wagon train and falls in love with Tess (Joanne Dru), but he leaves her behind. She meets up with Dunson and rides with him into Abeline. Dunson goes for Matt and they end up fighting. Tess breaks it up, tells the two men they love each other. Immediately, the quarrel is resolved and Dunson takes on Matt as a partner in the ranch.
My Rating:6

Reviews for Red River

Review - Red River

The cattle drive part was interesting, although I've seen it all before. I guess I can buy Dunson's increasing tyranny and Matt's decision to step in. But Dunson's determination to kill Matt was over the top, and the ease with which Tess was able to resolve the issue and reunite the two men was ridiculous. I couldn't help wondering what the posse Dunson raised in Texas to pursue the "cattle thieves" thought when they got to Abeline and within five minutes saw Dunson and the man they were hired to kill all cuddly.

Reviewed by Roger on 2015-08-13 23:30:12

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