Red River
Inspired by a cattle drive from Texas to Abilene Kansas along the Chisholm Trail, Red River evokes strong themes of love and loss along with turbulent coming of age conflict between a tough demanding father and adopted son. The film stars John Wayne as Tom Dunson with Montgomery Clift as his adopted son, Mathew. Wayne should have been the first classic clue.
Dunson adopts Mathew as the sole survivor of a wagon train attacked by Indians that claimed the life of Dunson’s intended. Dunson takes the boy to south Texas where they establish a cattle ranch. Fourteen years later, facing hard economic times, Dunson determines to drive a heard north to market in Missouri. He hires a tough crew and sets out on the trail.
The trail throws all the hardships cattle drives were known for at Dunson and his crew, from a stampede, confrontations between crew members and a trail boss who becomes increasingly tyrannical. With the crew in the mood for mutiny, Matthew takes over and sends his father packing. The drive resumes, headed for a rendezvous with Deja vu.
Matthew and his crew come upon a wagon train under Indian attack. The train is saved, and Matthew meets a grateful Tess Millay, who promptly falls in love with him. Mathew gives her an heirloom bracelet that belonged to his father’s mother. Dunson had given the same bracelet to his intended before she was killed, and the bracelet recovered. The drive resumes.
Dunson catches up with the wagon train in pursuit of Matthew and his ‘stolen’ herd. Dunson sees Tess wearing his mother’s bracelet and tells her all he really wants is a son. She offers to give him one, if he will give up his pursuit of Matthew. Dunson sees his lost love in Tess but continues his pursuit with Tess accompanying him.
Dunson and Tess reach Abilene to discover Matthew has sold the herd at a ranch saving profit. Father urges son not to make the same mistake he made, marry Tess, and come home to his share of the ranch.
Red River was a commercial and critical success.
Wayne’s performance so impressed John Ford he said, “I didn’t know the big ‘s – o – b’ could act!” Shot in black and white to achieve Howard Hawks’ artistic effect, Red River is enshrined in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Next Week: The Indian Fighter
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Dunson adopts Mathew as the sole survivor of a wagon train attacked by Indians that claimed the life of Dunson’s intended. Dunson takes the boy to south Texas where they establish a cattle ranch. Fourteen years later, facing hard economic times, Dunson determines to drive a heard north to market in Missouri. He hires a tough crew and sets out on the trail.
The trail throws all the hardships cattle drives were known for at Dunson and his crew, from a stampede, confrontations between crew members and a trail boss who becomes increasingly tyrannical. With the crew in the mood for mutiny, Matthew takes over and sends his father packing. The drive resumes, headed for a rendezvous with Deja vu.
Matthew and his crew come upon a wagon train under Indian attack. The train is saved, and Matthew meets a grateful Tess Millay, who promptly falls in love with him. Mathew gives her an heirloom bracelet that belonged to his father’s mother. Dunson had given the same bracelet to his intended before she was killed, and the bracelet recovered. The drive resumes.
Dunson catches up with the wagon train in pursuit of Matthew and his ‘stolen’ herd. Dunson sees Tess wearing his mother’s bracelet and tells her all he really wants is a son. She offers to give him one, if he will give up his pursuit of Matthew. Dunson sees his lost love in Tess but continues his pursuit with Tess accompanying him.
Dunson and Tess reach Abilene to discover Matthew has sold the herd at a ranch saving profit. Father urges son not to make the same mistake he made, marry Tess, and come home to his share of the ranch.
Red River was a commercial and critical success.
Wayne’s performance so impressed John Ford he said, “I didn’t know the big ‘s – o – b’ could act!” Shot in black and white to achieve Howard Hawks’ artistic effect, Red River is enshrined in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Next Week: The Indian Fighter
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
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Peg
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Nov 12, 2023 09:45AM
Never knew about this movie. It would have been great to read the story if it was put into novel form.
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Peg wrote: "Never knew about this movie. It would have been great to read the story if it was put into novel form."Hi Peg, Usually if it is adapted from a novel I call that out in the post. Did not have an indication of that for this film. Nice to hear from you as always. Best to Jim.
Hope to see you and Trish next summer - if all plans go through without a hitch.
