RED RIVER

Red River

1948 United Artists 125m

There have been many classic westerns but this classic Howard Hawks masterpiece certainly ranks among the best of the genre. Along with John Ford's MY DARLING CLEMENTINE, it's probably the best of all the 1940's westerns - an unforgettable sweeping spectacle with the kind of grandeur few westerns achieved.

Hawks fills every frame of this movie with action and drama. Borden Chase, author of the original novel, always resented the changes Hawks made to his story (especially the ending), but the plot and characterization are steady and strong nonetheless. Wayne gives a strong performance, certainly one of the best of his career, and Clift matches him all the way, Matthew's sensitive but determined manner a perfect match to Dunson's ruthlessness. It was Hawks who suggested Walter Brennan remove his false teeth for the running gag with Chief Yowlachie; at first the 42-year-old balked at the idea, but he quickly remembered that it was Hawks who expanded his Oscar-winning role in COME AND GET IT. All of the supporting players, especially John Ireland, Noah Beery Jr., Harry and Harry Jr. Carey, and Paul Fix are memorable, and Joanne Dru firmly joins the ranks of the strong women who invades a man's world in Hawks's films. Russell Harlan's photography is stunning, sweeping through the horizonless plains and covering the vast territory the cowboys must travel in their odyssey: storms, rivers, canyons, distant buttes all encompassed beautifully. Matching the elegance of of the cinematography is Dimitri Tiomkin's stirring score.

At this point in his career, Hawks was already an established master of the directorial craft. His work had included comedies (HIS GIRL FRIDAY), war films (AIRFORCE), and mysteries (THE BIG SLEEP), all classics. This was his first western, and he quickly exhibited his mastery of that genre as well as he once again considered the status of the male hero and the bonding he makes with others in the name of professionalism.