Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
John Wayne | ... | Rooster Cogburn | |
Glen Campbell | ... | 'La Boeuf' | |
Kim Darby | ... | Mattie Ross | |
Jeremy Slate | ... | Emmett Quincy | |
Robert Duvall | ... | Ned Pepper | |
Dennis Hopper | ... | 'Moon' | |
Alfred Ryder | ... | Goudy | |
Strother Martin | ... | Col. G. Stonehill | |
Jeff Corey | ... | Tom Chaney | |
Ron Soble | ... | Capt. Boots Finch | |
John Fiedler | ... | Lawyer Daggett | |
James Westerfield | ... | Judge Parker | |
John Doucette | ... | 'Sheriff' | |
Donald Woods | ... | 'Barlow' | |
Edith Atwater | ... | Mrs. Floyd |
Her father's murder sends teenage tomboy Mattie Ross on a mission of "justice" to avenge his death. She recruits tough old marshal "Rooster" Cogburn because he has "grit" and a reputation for getting the job done. They are joined by Texas Ranger La Boeuf, who is looking for the same man for another murder in Texas. Their odyssey takes them from Fort Smith, Arkansas to deep into Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) to find their man. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net> [edited]
Surely one of the purest westerns ever made, a simple tale of a lawman tracking down an outlaw. This film is raised way above the norm in almost all respects: The photography is superb, with the hills, mountains, valleys and forests being the real stars; the acting is first rate, with not a weak performance in sight from even the lowliest minor character; the direction is well paced as we ride along with the 3-person-posse through the landscape and experience the minor twists of the actual hunt, as well as the evolution of the relationships between the group. The episode in which they take over a cabin by a stream and then ambush the following villains is even better than the well known finale.
Why this film hasn't had more votes and a higher rating in imdb is a complete mystery to me. I'm English, and I always thought the Americans really loved their westerns and John Wayne in particular. Can anyone explain please?