Red River Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

John Wayne acts like a jerk until a woman tells him not to, and then everything’s fine.

🍿 Red River: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Leaving the Wagon Train and Finding Matt

In 1851, Tom Dunson and Nadine Groot leave a wagon train headed to California, deciding to settle in Texas. Before leaving, Dunson promises his love, Fen, that he’ll send for her. Soon after, they encounter an Indian attack and survive, but Fen is killed. The next day, they find a young boy named Matt, orphaned by another Indian raid, and take him in.

Building the Red River D Ranch

Over the next 14 years, Dunson, Groot, and Matt build a successful cattle ranch in Texas, branding their cattle with a ‘D’ representing the Red River. Dunson is a harsh and demanding man, but Matt proves to be a capable and loyal partner. They face challenges like claiming land and dealing with neighboring ranchers.

The Cattle Drive to Missouri

Post-Civil War, Texas faces economic hardship, leaving Dunson with no market for his cattle. He decides to drive his herd 1,000 miles to Missouri. Dunson’s tyrannical leadership style alienates many of his cowboys. As the drive progresses, tensions rise, especially between Dunson and Matt, who question Dunson’s methods and decisions.

Mutiny on the Red River

Dunson’s ruthlessness leads to a mutiny led by Matt. The cowboys, tired of Dunson’s harsh rule, side with Matt and take control of the herd, deciding to head to Abilene, Kansas, instead of Missouri, hearing of a railroad there. Dunson vows to hunt down Matt and kill him for his betrayal.

Meeting Tess Millay

As Matt leads the drive towards Abilene, they encounter a wagon train under attack by Apaches. Matt and his men help fend off the attack, and Matt meets Tess Millay, a strong-willed woman who was part of the wagon train. A connection quickly forms between them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Thomas Dunson (John Wayne): A tyrannical and ambitious cattle rancher determined to drive his herd to Missouri, facing challenges from his adopted son.
• Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift): Dunson’s adopted son who leads a mutiny against his increasingly harsh leadership during the cattle drive.
• Nadine Groot (Walter Brennan): Dunson’s loyal, though cantankerous, long-time friend and cook who provides comic relief and perspective during the drive.
• Tess Millay (Joanne Dru): A strong-willed woman rescued from an Indian attack who becomes involved with both Dunson and Matt, ultimately mediating their conflict.
• Cherry Valance (John Ireland): A skilled gunslinger hired for the cattle drive who forms a complex, homoerotic bond with Matt.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Thomas Dunson: “Take ’em to Missouri, Matt.” – Dunson gives Matt the order to begin the epic cattle drive, marking a pivotal moment of ambition and determination.
• Thomas Dunson: “I’m gonna find you, Matt. I’m gonna find you. I don’t want you dead. I want to do it myself.” – Dunson vows revenge after Matt leads a mutiny, setting up the central conflict of the film.
• Cherry Valance: “There are only two things more beautiful than a good gun: a Swiss watch or a woman from anywhere. Ever had a good… Swiss watch?” – Cherry’s smooth-talking and subtly flirtatious dialogue with Matt.
• Thomas Dunson: “My life, my life… that’s the only thing I’m sure of.” – Expresses his driving ambition and will to survive.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,150,000
• Worldwide Gross: $14,462

💥 Red River Reviews

Personal Review

I watched “Red River” for the first time last night and wow, what an experience! John Wayne really blew me away with his acting – you can see the struggle and the crazy determination in his eyes. The cattle drive scenes felt so real and tough; I could almost taste the dust. But the ending, yeah, I’m not so sure about it. Still, the rest of the movie is so good, it’s worth watching even if the finale feels a little rushed.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “John Wayne enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about family conflict and redemption”
  • “People who enjoy epics with grand scope and scale”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence, including gunfights and depictions of Indian attacks”
  • “Some scenes may be considered racially insensitive by modern standards”
  • “Brief depictions of cattle stampedes and animal death”

Professional Reviews

• Slash Film: “John Wayne delivers a powerful performance. The film is a loose retelling of Mutiny on the Bounty, but with its attention to detail and meticulous cataloguing of little moments, also comes across as a fairly realistic documentation of life on the cattle drive.
• IMDB: “Howard Hawks frames his wonderfully vivid characters in lush expansive landscapes, fleshing them out amongst the constant stream of drama and action. Red River is a sweeping spectacle that doesn’t have a frame that’s wasted.
• IMDB: “With Joanne Dru, Howard Hawks tries to repeat the magic he had with Lauren Bacall in To Have and Have Not. Joanne is no Bacall, but she’s good and had a pretty good career on her own.

Audience Reactions

The dynamic between John Wayne and Montgomery Clift was captivating; their on-screen tension was palpable.: Wayne and Clift’s performances were outstanding, showcasing the complex father-son relationship at the heart of the film.

The scope and spectacle of the cattle drive were visually stunning, making the movie truly epic.: The epic scale and cinematography were impressive, capturing the beauty and hardship of the Old West.

Overall Consensus: A classic Western celebrated for its performances and grand scale, though some find the ending abrupt and unconvincing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Howard Hawks originally wanted Gary Cooper for the role of Tom Dunson, but Cooper turned it down, feeling the character was too unsympathetic. John Wayne was then cast, giving one of the most complex performances of his career.”
• “The film was shot in 1946 but held for release until 1948 due to legal issues with Howard Hughes, who claimed it infringed on his film ‘The Outlaw’.”
• “Montgomery Clift’s performance in ‘Red River’ was his film debut, though ‘The Search’ was released first. He was cast for his talent and screen presence, despite being quite different from the traditional Western hero.”

🖥️ How to Watch Red River?

Red River is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules. Some streaming services may offer it as part of a rotating catalog, so availability can vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Red River, you might like these similar films:

• The Searchers (1956): Also starring John Wayne, this film explores themes of obsession and the harsh realities of the West, with a character driven by vengeance.
• Lonesome Dove (1989): A sweeping miniseries about a cattle drive from Texas to Montana, featuring complex characters and the challenges of frontier life.
• Open Range (2003): Kevin Costner directs and stars in this Western that deals with themes of justice and morality on the open range, reminiscent of ‘Red River’s’ focus on character and landscape.
• The Big Sky (1952): Another Howard Hawks western, that focuses on adventure and is considered a bookend to Red River.

🛒 Red River Related Products

• John Wayne: The Genuine Article: This documentary dives deep into the life and legacy of John Wayne, featuring rare footage and interviews.
• The Chisholm Trail: High Road of the Cattle Kingdom: Borden Chase’s novel is the primary inspiration for the movie Red River. It offers a great reading experience for movie fans.
• Red River (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Restored Criterion Collection edition, featuring both versions of the film and extensive bonus content.
• RED RIVER D – Vintage Western T-Shirt: Official shirt with the RED RIVER D logo

🎧 Soundtrack

Red River features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Settle Down” – performed by Dimitri Tiomkin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Red Skelton And John Wayne

Ever wondered what it would be like to see John Wayne in a comedy sketch with Red Skelton? It’s pure gold! This is a hilarious pairing, definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of either actor.

John Wayne’s Coolest Scenes #6: First Gunfight, “Red River” (1948)

Want to see John Wayne in his first ever gunfight in Red River? This clip is a quick, action-packed reminder of why he’s such a legend. Check it out – you won’t regret it!

John Wayne does NOT lack confidence. #RedRiver #JohnWayne #western #shorts #grittv

Need a quick dose of John Wayne’s undeniable charisma? This short clip perfectly captures his confidence in “Red River.” It’s a great reminder of why he’s so iconic!

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