Recent Reviews for Rio Bravo
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MCT:October 28, 2008everything in me wants to rate this perfectly except the small voice holding me back until i get a second viewing. probably the second best western ive ever seen, and better for me than many of the western gold standards like high noon and the searchers. this is the most ive enjoyed john wayne whom i normally dont care too much for, and every cast member was chosen perfectly for their role. the story was epic although typical, and the film had an epic feel because of the grand and detailed stoytelling. truly one of the great westerns of all time.
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MCT:October 9, 2008
Nathan Burdette: "I don't like that kinda talk. Now you're practically accusing me..."
John T. Chance: "Let's get this straight: You don't like? I don't like a lot of things. I don't like your men sittin' on the road bottling up this town. I don't like your men watching us, trying to catch us with our backs turned. And I don't like it when a friend of mine offers to help and twenty minutes later he's dead! And I don't like you, Burdette, because you set it up."
Rio Bravo is the quintessential Howard Hawks Western. Although patronised by reviewers at the time of its release, Rio Bravo is now regarded as an American classic and one of the greatest cinematic Western in history. The film is primarily recognised for its slick shootouts, masterful atmosphere and a congregation of characters as warm as toast. Not since 1952's High Noon had a Western been so influential. In fact, contemporary cinema still draws blatant inspiration from this timeless classic. John Carpenter's remarkable 1976 actioner Assault on Precinct 13 was a fundamental remake, transplanting the story into a cold, isolated urban location. The 2005 remake of Assault on Precinct 13 was likewise influenced by this timeless 1959 masterpiece. Even Hawks himself helmed two variations of his film with El Dorado and Rio Lobo.
However, Rio Bravo is the furthest thing from your customary clichéd Western. Gone are the extensive vistas, scenes that involve roaming the countryside on horseback, and not once did John Wayne utter the word "pilgrim". Additionally, the "damsel in distress" cliché is far removed. Also, the archetypal invulnerable protagonist is replaced with a character that gets scared, bleeds and makes mistakes. The atmosphere of pure tension is also lightened by humour. The wonderful screenplay encompasses witticisms as sharp as a dagger, and a group of characters that are well-written and acted wonderfully. This is utterly classic stuff. Although long, the film is undeniably fun.
John Wayne is in top form as the rugged, tough man's man known as Sheriff John T. Chance. Chance is faced with a dilemma: he has to hold murderer Joe Burdette (Akins) in his gaol until the U.S. Marshall can pick him up in roughly six days. The trouble is that Joe's brother Nathan (Russell) plans to spring Joe from prison by any means possible. Nathan is a local cattle baron who commands an army of paid professionals numbering in the 40s. Sheriff Chance needs to hold out until the Marshall arrives, but he only has two deputies by his side: a disgraced drunk known as Dude (Martin) and a cantankerous, albeit extremely spirited old cripple named Stumpy (Brennan).
Pat Wheeler: "A game-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?"
John T. Chance: "That's WHAT I got."
Howard Hawks was reportedly quite dissatisfied with the highly acclaimed 1952 Western High Noon. Hawks was quite disturbed due to how unrealistic the film was. In High Noon, Marshall Will Kane (played by Gary Cooper) was so afraid of his impending adversaries (a mere four men) that he spent most of the film's duration looking for help...only to be rejected by his supposed allies. Hawks decided to make a movie which would depict a more accurate response to the dilemma face by Kane. In this case, Wayne as Sheriff John T. Chance has an abundance of men willing to help him. The trouble is that he prefers to only have the best men fighting for him. High Noon is a decent flick, but Rio Bravo is far superior due to its more realistic handling of the scenario and its higher entertainment value.
Howard Hawks is no stranger to the Western genre. Prior to Rio Bravo, Hawks had helmed Red River. His direction here is utterly perfect. Each frame shines with impressive attention to every conceivable detail. Like most Westerns, the period depiction is wonderful. Costumes and props are difficult to fault. Most of the interior scenes were filmed in studio sets; however Hawks' transcendent direction creates an ideal atmosphere. The script, as well, is superlative. Dean Martin even sings a melancholy tune at one stage. It's this variety that makes the film anything but an ordinary Western. There's catchy music mixed with hysterical dialogue, great shootouts and plenty of moments that'll make you smile.
However, there are a few excessive red herrings that could have been removed. Even with these unnecessary additions, the film provides solid entertainment. Many have criticised Rio Bravo for being too long and with too many uneventful scenes. To me, the film isn't long enough. I adored being in the company of these characters. If anything I was disappointed when the credits started to roll. The filmmakers have definitely performed their duties appropriately if one of my only criticisms is that the movie had to end!
The acting is first-class right down the line. John Wayne delivers one of the best performances in his career. When it came to making Westerns during the 1950s and a few decades beyond, Wayne was the essential go-to guy. After all, this is John Wayne doing what he does best. As Sheriff John T. Chance, he's right at home with the material. The 6'4" actor was a physical presence that dominated the screen, and was the definitive incarnation of a cowboy. Throughout the entire movie, Wayne is extraordinarily convincing and very watchable. Quintessentially, John Wayne is John Wayne in spades.
Dean Martin also proves an accomplished actor. At the time Martin was known for hard living and hard drinking, and his experience pays off as he is a credible drunk in this film. When his character of Dude is convalescing and trying to make amends for the various years of drowning in alcohol, the sincerity of Martin's performance is readily apparent.
However, while Wayne and Martin are both fantastic, it's Walter Brennan as Stumpy that steals the show. He provides delightful comic relief; lightening the somewhat dreary disposition of a number of scenes.
Ricky Nelson as the young gunslinger Colorado is yet another welcome addition to the cast. Just one week into shooting, Nelson celebrated his 18th birthday!
Angie Dickinson is the love interest for John Wayne. Interestingly, Wayne was slightly nervous about the love scenes due to the age gap: Wayne was 51 and Dickinson was 26.
On top of these five great protagonists, there are several other fantastic characters. Suffice to say, it'd be easier to just mention those who aren't good.
Overall, Rio Bravo quickly emerged as one of my all-time favourite cinematic Westerns. There are only very minor shortcomings, such as a few clichés and a bit of predictability, but for fun Western material it's almost impossible to do better. Rio Bravo is still considered one of Howard Hawks' finest and most influential films. It's a classic John Wayne escapade that has been remade and rehashed numerous times (twice by Hawks himself). This isn't the typical Western that finds tough-guy Cowboys battling violent Indians...this is a surprisingly original production that succumbs to only a few clichés. There's never a dull moment in this highly enjoyable romp that continues to provide sublime entertainment many decades following its initial release. -
MCT:October 4, 2008This is one of my favorite westerns. Not only John Wayne and Dean Martin star in it but so dose Angie Dickinson. Its very similar to El Dardo thoe. But I gusse it was just so amazing the first time the had to make it agine.
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MCT:October 1, 2008
This is one of the many example's of how a western should be: sunny, dry, action, suspence and a powerfull story, and that is exactly what this movie has. I sure did like the bit of comedy in this movie i liked all the charcacters expecially the one of R.Nelson. One of the better westerns ive seen.
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MCT:September 12, 2008
Rio Bravo is probably one of the best Westerns ever made. Wayne is so cool,but its Dean Martin as the drunk who shines for me.
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MCT:September 11, 2008Something should be said about walter brennan or the sing-along interlude or the jubilance of the final shoot out. But I won't. I'll just say that this is a solid and enjoyable picture.
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MCT:August 26, 2008
So Good They Did It Twice.
This is one of John Wayne?s best movies. In fact it was so good they filmed it again as El Dorado. John Wayne only played one character, ?John Wayne?. He played this character from ?The Big Trail? to ?The Shootist?. By the time he made ?Rio Bravo? he had the character down pat. The story is simple. There is a murder committed by the brother of a rich and powerful cattle baron. The murderer is thrown in jail and while the heroes wait for the U.S. Marshal, the town fills with hired gunmen who try to break the killer out of jail. The real story is the back-story of the character played by Dean Martin. He plays an alcoholic deputy sheriff who is an old friend of the town sheriff. The implication in the movie is that alcoholism can be overcome by willpower and determination. This was probably wishful thinking on the part of the moviemakers who were 1950?s era hard drinking men who didn?t want to admit to the drinking problems they had in real life. Angie Dickinson is the love interest and looks hot. This was when she was young and very good-looking. You also get to hear Ricky Nelson and Dean Martin sing. The movie begins almost as a silent movie. Dean Martin goes into a saloon to get a drink. He is humiliated and beat up by the bad guy. When someone tries to stop the beating the bad guy shoots him dead and leaves the saloon. He goes to another saloon where John Wayne tracks him down, knocks him in the head and takes him to jail. All this happens with just a few lines of dialog. In the end there is a final shoot-out and the bad guys lose. In the mean time there is a lot of banter between the main characters with a few gunfights in between. -
MCT:August 18, 2008Steady western-film by Howard Hawks about camaraderie and friendship. Great humour and action scenes as well.
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MCT:July 26, 2008
It may seen like a boring John Wayne western...but boy is it FUNNY!!! You gotta watch this (whoever is reading this).
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MCT:July 26, 2008
this movie was awesome i thought it was gonna be a boring western but it was funny and awesome way beyond awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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MCT:July 24, 2008
I've heard a lot of people give this a lot of exceptional praise to this, I was pretty excited when I put it in. I've got to say though, I was a bit disappointed by this movie which sort of struck me as a standard western. First of all, I've heard that this was made by Howard Hawks as a reaction to High Noon, a movie I happen to really love, but which Hawks hated for some reason. Storywise the two are both about sheriffs who are threatened but react in different ways. The sheriff in High Noon desperately searches for help while the sheriff in Rio Bravo constantly pushes away help. Also, while High Noon was in stark black and white Rio Bravo was in bright technicolor. In other words, while High Noon tried to ground its western vision in reality, Hawks is happy with the same old deal of the fearless John Wayne acting like a damn fool in the face of danger. Hawks is certainly a great director but his lack of interest in devolving of the western does make me think a bit less of him. That said there is some good stuff here, I loved the banter between John Wayne and Angie Dickenson and the final shootout was pretty damn good. Otherwise though it seemed like a pretty by the numbers western.
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MCT:July 20, 2008
What a great western!
I always thought that I liked El Dorado better than this one, but after watching it a couple of times recently, I realized that it's equally good, and maybe just a little better.
John Wayne and Dean Martin made a great pair, and I never realized how beautiful Angie Dickinson was when she was younger. No wonder my dad thought she was hot! -
MCT:July 16, 2008
May be my favorite film of all time. This film has it all - deano, ricky nelson, the duke, angie dickinson, plus howard hawkes! Those of you John Wayne haters out there, give this one a try.
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MCT:July 15, 2008
What is with all of these really long Westerns?
Rio Bravo is actually pretty darned great. Yes, it's two-and-a-half hours (which seems to be the general theme of my reviews of the past month: how long movies are), but it really flies by. I'm not saying that there's a ton of plot filling this movie that you need to have two-and-a-half hours. Heck no. Really, the main plot is pretty evident in the first ten minutes of the film. It's a waiting game. (Not wholly unlike 3:10 to Yuma) These characters have to wait for six days for the U.S. Marshal to show up so they can take this prisoner away. Your job as the viewing audience is to join them as multiple escape attempts threaten the lives of four law enforcers. It's very simple. But like 3:10 to Yuma, it's all about worrying about how these main characters are going to physically get through this situation, but more important is how they psychologically get through this situation.
The real selling point for this movie isn't John Wayne. Wayne has done countless Westerns and this is just another one of many performances that is very similar to his other parts. The real draw is Dean Martin. When I think "Dean Martin," I don't necessarily think, "Great Actor." But he pulls out some acting chops in this movie. His character is the one that you really care for. He's the one with the most to lose and the one who can lose it the easiest. He impresses me so much that I'm going to look for him in other things. He's in a lot of comedies, but this dramatic piece takes the part of the recovering alcoholic and adds some real chutspa to it. He really could have played that part really over the top, but he reigns in that performance and brings this level of nuance that really makes you question how in charge of his situation he is.
The only part of the movie that really irked me was the pantomime beginning. Yes, we got the character backstory, but instead of magical and mysterious, the movie came off as goofy and ridiculous. It was a like an Acting I class trying to convey what a story was about with ludicrious hand gestures and clownlike performances. I'm not saying that mime doesn't have its place, but there's a way to craft it so it is extremely tight and well put together. This just came off as silly, despite the caliber of the acting talent involved. The other goofy moment, and this really reflects on Hollywood at the time, is the ballad part of the movie. Now, I always find it terrible when they cast a singer in an acting part so they deem that they need to give him a song, but two songs? Literally, Ricky Nelson and Dean Martin each get their own songs. In the middle of this great story and this deep character drama, they guys found it in them to belt out a few chart toppers.
This is a mighty solid action Western with a little more shoot-em-up than 3:10 to Yuma, but still has the emotional complexity of Yuma. I would say Yuma did a better job of conveying that sense of psychological trauma, but this is an action movie with substance. It has its flaws, but it is a good time. Sure, it's long, but it doesn't feel long. Regardless, sit down and watch it. -
MCT:July 15, 2008
Most John Wayne movies are stupid. This one was well done. The camera and story took the time to develop nice shots and the screenplay was pretty good.
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MCT:July 1, 2008
I watched this because I heard it was one of Quentin Tarantinos favourite movies. All the main roles are perfectly cast. The beginning of the film is a little confusing as Dean Martin knocks out John Wayne with a lump of wood and then helps him arrest someone a few minutes later. Seemed odd at first but through the film the history between the characters is revealed and it all makes sense. Well worth watching.
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MCT:May 30, 2008
I think this is the way most people remember John Wayne, as a noble no nonsense lawman battling long odds while trying to restore a sense of purpose to a washed up ex-partner.
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MCT:May 16, 2008One of the only John Wayne films I've actually sat through (man, that guy was cheesy). Dean Martin is actually the more sympathetic character.
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MCT:April 2, 2008
One of the greatest westerns ever made. Howard Hawks has taken a fairly simple story and made it thoroughly engrossing thanks to a dynamic cast and some incredibly cinematic moments. The cast are amazing throughout, but it's the range of mood that really shines. Plenty of action, thrills, comedy and romance are spread throughout and are accentuated by a powerful musical score. The brief musical numbers from Martin and Nelson are great and Angie Dickinson..... WOW! A classic masterpiece, not to be missed!!
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MCT:January 11, 2008
Who would have thought that John Wayne and Ricky Nelson would star in the same western? But it's a good movie.
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MCT:January 7, 2008
The sheriff of a small town in southwest Texas must keep custody of a murderer whose brother, a powerful rancher, is trying to help him escape. After a friend is killed trying to muster support for him, he and his deputies - a disgraced drunk and a cantankerous old cripple - must find a way to hold out against the rancher's hired guns until the marshal arrives. In the meantime, matters are complicated by the presence of a young gunslinger - and a mysterious beauty who just came in on the last stagecoach.
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MCT:January 7, 2008
Excelente western de john wayne .. larga y predicible por momentos, pero una sabia entrada entre las mejores
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MCT:January 2, 2008
Top-notch John Wayne film, with great supporting performances by Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, and Walter Brennan.
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MCT:November 7, 2007
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Comments:
I saw all these oldies with my dad on saturday afternoons, and it was a treat. I still love them all. John Wayne, James Stewart AND Lee Marvin O gosh!
I saw all these oldies with my dad on saturday afternoons, and it was a treat. I still love them all. -
MCT:September 29, 2007
Classic western. Made as a response to the perceived unamericanism of High Noon, this is a great movie. Loses 1/2 a mark because the relationship between John Wayne and Angie Dickinson is just creepy.
