McLintock! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wealthy cattle baron spanks his way to happiness while simultaneously solving every social issue in the Wild West.

🍿 McLintock!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Return of Katherine and Becky

George Washington ‘G.W.’ McLintock, a wealthy cattle baron, awaits the return of his daughter Becky from college. To his surprise, his estranged wife Katherine also arrives, intending to take Becky away with her. This sets the stage for conflict as G.W. wants his daughter to stay and reconcile with his wife.

Conflict with Settlers and Native Americans

New settlers arrive, causing tension as they try to farm unsuitable land. G.W. also faces issues with corrupt government officials mistreating the local Comanche Indians. He tries to maintain peace and fairness, often clashing with those who exploit the vulnerable.

Fourth of July Celebration and Climax

The film culminates during a raucous Fourth of July celebration. Tensions boil over, leading to a chaotic mud fight and a final confrontation between G.W. and Katherine. This event tests their relationship and forces them to confront their feelings.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Washington ‘G.W.’ McLintock (John Wayne): A wealthy and influential cattle baron who strives to maintain peace and order in his territory.
• Katherine Gilhooley McLintock (Maureen O’Hara): G.W.’s estranged and headstrong wife who returns seeking to take their daughter back east.
• Rebecca ‘Becky’ McLintock (Stefanie Powers): The McLintock’s independent and spirited daughter returning home from college.
• Devlin Warren (Patrick Wayne): A young man from a settler family who becomes Becky’s love interest and a ranch hand for McLintock.
• Drago (Chill Wills): McLintock’s loyal and trusted right-hand man who provides unwavering support and comic relief.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George Washington McLintock: “I haven’t lost anything. I still got my cattle, my mines, my timber… my town.” – McLintock asserts his wealth and influence when challenged.
• George Washington McLintock: “Nobody gives you anything. You gotta take it.” – McLintock expresses his philosophy on self-reliance to the new settlers.
• Katherine McLintock: “You’re as big a windbag as the governor!” – Katherine insults McLintock during one of their many heated arguments.
• George Washington McLintock: “Apology accepted.” – McLintock curtly accepts an apology, demonstrating his no-nonsense attitude.
• George Washington McLintock: “I don’t give jobs, I hire men.” – McLintock explains his work ethic, highlighting his preference for hiring rather than giving handouts.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 McLintock! Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore McLintock! It’s a wild, hilarious ride with John Wayne at his most charismatic. The mud fight scene alone is worth the price of admission – so chaotic and funny! Maureen O’Hara is fantastic as always, and their chemistry is just electric. The movie is lighthearted and perfect for a cozy night in, offering a fun and nostalgic escape.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick comedy”
  • “Admirers of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s on-screen chemistry”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Some outdated cultural depictions”
  • “Slapstick and comedic spanking scenes that may be considered offensive by modern standards”

Professional Reviews

• CBR: “This John Wayne classic, released in 1963, broke several major Western trends and features a complex look at social and political issues wrapped in comedic storytelling.
• ScreenRant: “While not as critically acclaimed as The Quiet Man, McLintock! showcases Wayne and O’Hara’s undeniable chemistry in a wild west setting. Their on-screen connection makes this movie a must-watch for fans.
• IMDb User: “McLintock is one grand piece of entertainment. The comedy is as broad and unsophisticated as you would find in any John Ford film and with good reason as Wayne and Director Andrew McLaglen learned the movie trade from him. In addition to dealing with the assorted ‘liberals’ mentioned above, the Duke has some domestic concerns.

Audience Reactions

The mud fight is the most memorable and hilarious scene.: Viewers consistently highlight the outstanding chemistry between John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

The movie has non-PC themes, which may not be liked by today’s woke culture.: The film is not perfect, with some finding the non-pc themes as being old and worn out.

Overall Consensus: McLintock! is a beloved Western comedy that is viewed as entertaining, but is also not perfect due to elements that have not aged well.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s play ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ with a Western setting.”
• “This was the first major feature film directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, who had previously worked as an assistant director on several John Wayne films and TV shows.”
• “The movie was filmed on location at Old Tucson Studios in Arizona, a popular location for Western films and television shows.”

🖥️ How to Watch McLintock!?

McLintock! is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed McLintock!, you might like these similar films:

• The Quiet Man (1952): Also starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, it features a similar dynamic of fiery romance and comedic elements in a rural setting.
• North to Alaska (1960): Another John Wayne Western that blends action with comedic situations and a lighthearted tone.
• Donovan’s Reef (1963): Directed by John Ford, this film shares the same era and showcases similar comedic elements and themes of camaraderie.
• The Hateful Eight (2015): While very different in tone, it shares the Western genre, strong characters, and elements of violence and humor.

🛒 McLintock! Related Products

• McLintock! (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: A high-definition Blu-ray release with bonus features, offering a pristine viewing experience for fans.
• John Wayne: The Epic Collection [DVD]: A DVD box set containing several of John Wayne’s most iconic films, including McLintock! It provides a comprehensive look at his career.
• McLintock! Movie Poster (Vintage Style): A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, capturing the film’s classic artwork.
• John Wayne Official Merchandise T-Shirt: An officially licensed t-shirt featuring an image of John Wayne as G.W. McLintock. It’s made from soft, comfortable fabric.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Love in the Country” – performed by The Limeliters

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

MAUREEN O’HARA & STEFANIE.POWERS TALK ABOUT JOHN WAYNE

Ever wonder what it was *really* like working with John Wayne? Maureen O’Hara and Stefanie Powers spill the tea about ‘Duke’ and the making of McLintock! It’s a fascinating peek behind the scenes that makes you appreciate the movie even more.

“McLintock!” Stefanie Powers’ John Wayne memories, difficult horses & Gene Autry! A WORD ON WESTERNS

Stefanie Powers played John Wayne’s daughter, and she’s got some great stories! Hear about the horses, the movies, and even Gene Autry! It is an amazing insight.

7 deceased McLintock! actors (part 1)

Take a moment to remember the talented actors from McLintock! who are no longer with us. It’s a touching tribute that makes you think about the legacy of this classic film, even if it’s really short.

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