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Three Godfathers (1948)
"3 Godfathers" (original title)

 -  Drama | Western  -  1 December 1948 (USA)
7.0
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Ratings: 7.0/10 from 4,385 users  
Reviews: 40 user | 22 critic

Three outlaws on the run discover a dying woman and her baby. They swear to bring the infant to safety across the desert, even at the risk of their own lives.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Pedro 'Pete' Roca Fuerte (as Pedro Armendariz)
...
...
...
...
...
Guy Kibbee ...
Dorothy Ford ...
...
Posse Man #1
Charles Halton ...
...
Deputy Curly
Jack Pennick ...
Luke
Fred Libby ...
Deputy
Michael Dugan ...
Posse Man #2
Edit

Storyline

Three outlaws on the run discover a dying woman and her baby. They swear to bring the infant to safety across the desert, even at the risk of their own lives. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

desert | birth | posse | baby | newborn | See more »

Taglines:

John Ford's Legend of the Southwest!

Genres:

Drama | Western

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

1 December 1948 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Le fils du désert  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Wayne's character, Robert Marmaduke Hightower, was named by director John Ford after his favorite stuntman, Bryan 'Slim' Hightower, who also worked on this picture. See more »

Goofs

While Wayne is holding the baby at the wagon, Pete is asked if he got any information about looking after the baby from its dying mother. He is supposed to say "Do you think I was going to drive the lady crazy?" what he says is "Do you think I was going to drive the lazy crazy?" See more »

Quotes

Judge: [during sentencing] Robert Marmaduke Hightower...
Perley 'Buck' Sweet: Marmaduke? Haw, haw...
Robert Marmaduke Sangster Hightower: Perley!
[crowd laughs]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.17 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

"Silent Night"
(uncredited)
Composed by Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr
(piano instrumental)
See more »

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User Reviews

Superb
15 June 2002 | by See all my reviews

I'm surprised this one doesn't get more accolades. To me it's really one of the best westerns ever made. This is one of those films that proves that the western genre can produce true art. The filming, the performances -- this is one of Wayne's best … it's quite overlooked that this guy could act: The desperation, the confusion, the exhaustion, it's all just amazing.

It's more of a character study than anything else, with the characters facing desperate thirst, an aching empty land, relentless sun, and the movie shows how these men deal with it, all the while they are attempting to care for a child. Something they are ill equipped to do.

There are clear religious elements to the movie, and they make this all the more compelling -- these are not good men, but they have a sense of honor and faith, in their own way. They can't break their word to a dying woman, to care for her child. Their faith in each other is touching.

It's gritty, yet very tender, a strange juxtaposition, like the beauty and cruelty of the desert.

See the movie if you can.


23 of 27 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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