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Red River (1948)

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Hawks' leisurely adaptation of Borden Chase's story about the establishing of the Chisholm Trail by Wayne and Clift's cattle train is a sheer delight that works on many levels. Firstly, it's an examination of Wayne's heroic image, here shown to be needlessly authoritarian and stubborn as he comes into conflict with his more liberal surrogate son Clift, gradually coming in for more and more criticism from garrulous Greek-chorus figure Brennan for his repeated killing of deserters. Secondly, it's yet another variation on Hawks' perennial concern with the theme of self-respect and professionalism, and being part of 'the group'. Finally, it's an intimate epic celebrating the determination to establish civilisation in the wilderness, with Clift's refusal to resort to the gun viewed as an essential improvement upon Wayne's trigger-happy rough justice. Immaculately shot by Russell Harlan, perfectly performed by a host of Hawks regulars, and shot through with dark comedy, it's probably the finest Western of the '40s.

Author: GA

Time Out Film Guide

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jill van der knaap said...

Posted on Aug 30 2011 07:25 shall only remember all those cattle

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Harvey Hurtt said...

Posted on Jan 06 2010 23:26 Greatest western ever made! I first saw Red River as young boy of 12 years....it made a magnificant impression upon me then; the impression remains. I'm familiar with the other "top" western movies but none leaves an indelible feeling as does Red River. The reality of the cattle drive and the acting of Montgomery Clift and John Wayne was probably never achieved in a higher form.

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