This is a better-than-average western that has several things going for it. Good acting, great scenery, impressive cast - including all of the cattle, over 1,000 for sure in some scenes! It appears no expense was spared in the creation of this one. Film in a nutshell: an epic cattle drive serves as the backdrop for the story of a father and (adopted) son's struggle in a battle of wills that borrows heavily from "Mutiny on the Bounty."
As good as it sounds, though, it's not perfect. There are a few problems here but the main one is the ending/conclusion/climax. While trying not to spoil it for anyone reading this who has not actually seen it yet, the insertion of the Tess Millay character into the narrative, and her subsequent actions that bring about the climax, really do not work. It feels forced, contrived, even silly. After two hours of tension mounting slowly but surely between father Dunson (John Wayne) and son Garth (Montgomery Clift), it's all resolved in a blink by a character neither man has known for more than a week. This is just not effective story-telling.
Several reviewers here mention they allow that the ending of this film is not very good, possibly awful actually, yet still feel compelled to rate it 10/10. Even Roger Ebert stated that the ending hurt the film but still listed it on his "Great Movies" list. Well, I can't do that. If there are acknowledged problems with a film, it really should not be given a perfect score. '10/10' should denote that a film was perfect, you wouldn't change a thing. If you find that you would change something here or there, you've got to take it down a peg or two. And with this unsatisfactory ending, it can't be a 10.
There are a few other issues. As mentioned it's not exactly original as it does borrow liberally from the "Mutiny" plot. There are also some unlikely and inexplicable situations presented here, like when Dunson abruptly leaves the wagon train at the beginning of the film without so much as a discussion with his girlfriend, who he leaves behind. This felt incredibly silly and unrealistic. "I'll send for you," he tells her as he leaves. What? How? She's going to California, he's heading for Texas, and he's just going to 'send for her' later? How exactly is he going to do that without telephones or an address or anything? That's....dumb. There are also some continuity errors, like cows appearing and disappearing behind the wagon on the way to Texas, and Dunson going from holding a whip to a gun in his right hand during the confrontation with Bunk Kenneally. Sloppy.
Overall it's still a good film and worth a watch, but I do not find it to be worthy of any 'top 10' lists, there are just too many issues here. It's on the borderline of "I might watch this again on a rainy day" but that's about as high as it goes. I've certainly seen better. 7/10.
As good as it sounds, though, it's not perfect. There are a few problems here but the main one is the ending/conclusion/climax. While trying not to spoil it for anyone reading this who has not actually seen it yet, the insertion of the Tess Millay character into the narrative, and her subsequent actions that bring about the climax, really do not work. It feels forced, contrived, even silly. After two hours of tension mounting slowly but surely between father Dunson (John Wayne) and son Garth (Montgomery Clift), it's all resolved in a blink by a character neither man has known for more than a week. This is just not effective story-telling.
Several reviewers here mention they allow that the ending of this film is not very good, possibly awful actually, yet still feel compelled to rate it 10/10. Even Roger Ebert stated that the ending hurt the film but still listed it on his "Great Movies" list. Well, I can't do that. If there are acknowledged problems with a film, it really should not be given a perfect score. '10/10' should denote that a film was perfect, you wouldn't change a thing. If you find that you would change something here or there, you've got to take it down a peg or two. And with this unsatisfactory ending, it can't be a 10.
There are a few other issues. As mentioned it's not exactly original as it does borrow liberally from the "Mutiny" plot. There are also some unlikely and inexplicable situations presented here, like when Dunson abruptly leaves the wagon train at the beginning of the film without so much as a discussion with his girlfriend, who he leaves behind. This felt incredibly silly and unrealistic. "I'll send for you," he tells her as he leaves. What? How? She's going to California, he's heading for Texas, and he's just going to 'send for her' later? How exactly is he going to do that without telephones or an address or anything? That's....dumb. There are also some continuity errors, like cows appearing and disappearing behind the wagon on the way to Texas, and Dunson going from holding a whip to a gun in his right hand during the confrontation with Bunk Kenneally. Sloppy.
Overall it's still a good film and worth a watch, but I do not find it to be worthy of any 'top 10' lists, there are just too many issues here. It's on the borderline of "I might watch this again on a rainy day" but that's about as high as it goes. I've certainly seen better. 7/10.