Director: Howard Hawks
Starring: John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan, Joanne Dru
Running Time: 133 minutes
Extras: New high-definition1080p presentation, original theatrical trailer, exclusive lengthy video conversation about RED RIVER and Howard Hawks by filmmaker and critic Dan Sallitt, conducted by Jaime Christley, and shot by Dustin Guy Defa and James P. Gannon.
John Wayne plays Tom Dunson, a Texan who abandons a wagon train in 1851 to make a future as a ranch owner with his longterm trailhand Nadine Groot (Walter Brennan). However, Tom learns that the love he left behind has been killed in an Indian raid and adopts the only survivor, young Matthew Garth (played as an adult by Montgomery Clift). However, whilst travelling to the Red River, the men have an argument that causes Matthew to redirect the herd and forces Tom to swear vengeance on his adopted son.
Howard Hawks’ RED RIVER is one of those films that will make you wish that westerns were still made en masse. Its terrific script and “human element” through the exploration of the relationship between Matthew and Tom makes you focus just as much on the dialogue and emotions of the film as on the action, a true mark of a Hawks western.
Our “hero” isn’t particularly heroic- he steals the land he settles on for his farm, violently lashes out at anyone who attempts to challenge his leadership and will happily whip any of his employees who do not follow his orders to the word. There’s something authoritarian about his command but Wayne has a unique quality that commands a certain respect from viewers regardless of the role he plays.
Hawks’ genius also shines through in the technical elements of the film as the breathtaking parts really make you wonder how it was possible to direct a scene which includes a heard of almost 10,000 cattle. His versatility was duly rewarded as the film was nominated for two Academy Awards for best writing and best film editing.
RED RIVER is arguably one of the greatest westerns ever made. Clift’s Matthew is a paradox to Wayne’s Tom as the introvert, quiet man who attempts and succeeds to maintain his standing and keep a cool head. Full of action, excitement and truly terrifying scenes, if there’s one western you see in your lifetime then make sure it’s RED RIVER.
RED RIVER is released on Blu-Ray in the UK on Monday 28th October.
