John Chance (John Wayne) is the marshal of a Texas border little town who imprisons gunslinger Joe (Claude Atkins) into jail for being brought to justice. But the Joe's brother is a corrupt baron land named Nathan(John Russell) . Then Chance takes on a blockade of gunfighters . He along with a cripple old(Walter Brennan ) are besieged and only helped by a drunk (Dean Martin) and a cocky youngster (Ricky Nelson)as hired hand . Meanwhile the tough Wayne falls in love with an enigmatic young (Angie Dickinson).
Action western, an agreeable love story, shoot-outs at regular intervals, and humor abounds in this magnificent film whose characters are splendidly portrayed. It packs larger-than-life characters, uproarious events and lively happenings. The Duke carries strong acting on his brawny shoulders and perfectly does. The picture is mainly lifted out by veteran Brennan's wonderfully acting as a half-crazed sympathetic old man , whose finger itches demoniacally on the trigger every time he gets a nasty guy in his sights. And of course, top-drawer Dean Martin with an unexpected excellent playing as alcoholic . Colorful Technicolor cinematography by Russell Harlan who adds much to the setting of this unique Western. Marvelous musical score by Dimitri Tiomkin including the Mexican ¨Degueyo¨, music played during ¨El Alamo¨ siege. This overlong, too much-acclaimed and very gripping Western will appeal to John Wayne fans. Rating : Above average, essential and indispensable Western , a masterpiece horse opera whose reputation has improved over the years.
It's followed by ¨El Dorado¨in similar style with a hot-headed James Caan as Mississipi who is a virtual retreat of the previous young sidekick named Colorado-Ricky Nelson. Howard Hawks also displays a number of similarities to the posterior ¨Rio Lobo¨ staring Wayne, Victor French, Jorge Rivero and again with an old short-tempered person played by Jack Elam. Furthermore, a semi-remake on modern times by John Carpenter was called ¨Assault on Precinct 13¨.
