Howard Hawks' 1948 WesternRed Riverfinally convinced John Ford thatJohn Waynewas a great actor, even though they had made four movies together already.John Wayne and John Ford made nine great Westerns together, and both the director and the actor became known as legends of the genre. Ford and Wayne were even responsible for some of thebest Western movies of all time, likeStagecoach,The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, andThe Searchers. Most of Ford’s movies cast Wayne as a traditional, upstanding hero, but one of the first films that cast him against type surprised everyone.
Even though Wayne and Ford were an absolutely legendary pairing, Ford was still shocked by another movie Wayne made with a different director. Wayne’s performance inRed River, directed by Howard Hawks, proved to Ford that the Duke was a great actor, even though their professional relationship was well under way by that point.Ford and Wayne had already madeStagecoach,The Long Voyage Home,They Were Expendable, andFort Apacheby the timeRed Rivercame out, and Wayne also had uncredited roles in several earlier John Ford movies. Despite their extensive relationship, Hawks' film was still a revelation for Ford.
John Wayne Showed His Darker Side In Red River, And It Worked Brilliantly
Red River Proved Wayne Could Be Just As Compelling As A Villain As He Was Playing Heroes
InRed River, John Wayne plays Thomas Dunson, a rancher with a troubled past who slips into nearly maniacal levels of cruelty as he drives his cattle train towards Missouri.It was a rare role for Wayne, as Dunson was a sympathetic character but also incredibly cruel and willing to lynch or shoot anyone who disagreed with him. Wayne playing a grittier, more morally ambiguous protagonist was shocking in 1948, especially since he played the morally unimpeachable Kirby York inFort Apachejust a few months prior. As unusual as it was, Wayne played his part perfectly, andRed Riverwas a resounding success.
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Red Riverboasts a rare 100% onRotten Tomatoes, and it has earned millions of dollars in rentals over the years. Even Roger Ebert considered its central story “one of the greatest of all Westerns,” though he took issue with its portrayal of women. Wayne’s performance even impressed John Ford.According to film critic Joseph McBride, when Ford sawRed River, he told director Howard Hawks “I never knew the big son of a bitch could act,"(viaRoger Ebert). That praise is even more significant considering how extensive Ford and Wayne’s professional relationship already was in 1948.
Red River Was Important For John Wayne’s Career
Red River Opened The Door For Wayne To Make 4 More Movies With Howard Hawks
John Wayne’s career benefited greatly fromRed River, and not just because it showed he was capable of more than playing a straight hero.Red Riverwas the first time Wayne had ever worked with director Howard Hawks, and the pair would go on to make four more films together. Their later collaborations includedRio Bravo,Hatari!,El Dorado, andRio Lobo, some ofJohn Wayne’s best Westerns. It was a pairing that was almost as successful as Wayne’s relationship with John Ford, and it was all because ofRed River.
Which Other Movies Feature A Darker John Wayne Performance?
Several Later John Wayne Movies Put Him In Morally Gray Roles
WhileRed Rivergave John Wayne a chance to play a darker character than he was known for, it was far from the only time he played anti-heroes or actual villains. In fact, most of themovies where John Wayne wasn’t the herocame afterRed River, and may have only happened because of his stellar performance as Thomas Dunson.Wayne likely wouldn’t have been cast in films likeThe Man Who Shot Liberty ValanceorHow the West Was Wonif he hadn’t first proved he could play a morally complex character inRed River.
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Red Riveralso created a lot of opportunities for Wayne to play less morally perfect heroes, such as Rooster Cogburn inTrue Grit.It can’t be overstated what bothRed Riverand Howard Hawks did for John Wayne’s acting career. Wayne may have never become the Duke of legend if he hadn’t gotten the chance to show his range. The world also would have been deprived of some of Wayne’s best roles, and we wouldn’t have gotten to see just how convincingly he could play an anti-hero.John Wayneand cinema as a whole owe a lot toRed River.
Red River
Cast
Red River is a classic Western film directed by Howard Hawks and released in 1948. It stars John Wayne as Thomas Dunson and Montgomery Clift as his adopted son, Matt Garth. The story follows their harrowing journey driving cattle from Texas to Missouri, showcasing themes of leadership, conflict, and perseverance. Notable for its strong performances and dynamic narrative, Red River remains a quintessential entry in the Western genre.
