Rent Red River (1948)

3.8 of 5 from 127 ratings
2h 13min
Rent Red River Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
After the Civil War, ranch owner Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) leads a drive of ten thousand cattle out of an impoverished Texas to the richer markets of Missouri, alongside his adopted son Matthew Garth (Montgomery Clift) and a team of ranch hands. As the conditions worsen, and Dunson's control over his cattlemen gets ever more merciless, a rebellion begins to grow within the travelling party.
Actors:
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Directors:
,
Producers:
Howard Hawks
Writers:
Borden Chase, Charles Schnee
Others:
Christian Nyby
Studio:
MGM
Genres:
Action & Adventure, Classics
Collections:
21 Reasons to Love, 21 Reasons to Love..Modern Westerns, A History of Gay Cinema: According to Hollywood, Award Winners, Cinema Paradiso's 2022 Centenary Club, Drama Films & TV, Holidays Film Collection, The Biggest Oscar Snubs: Part 1, The Cinema Paradiso Kissing Montage, A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Howard Hawks, Top 10 Films By Year, Top 10 Films of 1948, Top 10 Screen Kisses (1896-1979)
BBFC:
Release Date:
12/06/2000
Run Time:
133 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
Subtitles:
English, English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Original theatrical trailer
BBFC:
Release Date:
28/10/2013
Run Time:
133 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.37:1
Colour:
B & W
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Exclusive lengthy video conversation about Red River and Howard Hawks by filmmaker and critic Dan Sallitt, conducted by Jaime Christley, and shot by Dustin Guy Defa and James P. Gannon
  • Lux Radio Theater adaptation of Red River featuring John Wayne, Walter Brennan, and Joanne Dru reprising their roles from the film
  • Optional music-and-effects audio track

More like Red River

Reviews (2) of Red River

ClassicWestern. - Red River review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
17/04/2022

Howard Hawks' legendary western is bursting with points of interest, but there are many flaws too. It is an archetypal cowboy story as a group of men move cattle from Texas to Abilene after the Civil War. John Wayne has built his huge cattle empire up from the dirt, and must transport the stock through 'Indian' country with Montgomery Clift, the foundling he brought up as a son.

Wayne assumes the role of law and order among his men, enforced by his gun. It was a breakthrough for Duke; a complex role which he fortunately elects to underplay rather than go the whole Captain Bligh. Clift emerges as a star in his debut role, as the boy who takes over the cattle drive. In the early scenes, Hawks seems to have Clift and John Ireland sparking like Bogart and Bacall.

But there is plenty of evidence of a troubled production. Ireland just disappears after a promising start. The later episodes are badly scripted and the plot resolves poorly (with a typical Hollywood ending). Joanne Dru's character and dialogue are disasters and she's not good enough to salvage such a terrible role.

There is an impression of the vast interior and its many dangers. The photography and score are excellent. While Wayne is obviously at home in the skin of his western archetype, it's Clift that makes the greater impact. It's a generational film (James Dean stole Monty's performance). Clift is an exciting, unconventional presence and must be the quickest on draw in all Hollywood.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

The most epic film about cows - Red River review by HW

Spoiler Alert
23/10/2023

I’ve forgotten how spectacular this epic western is: ambitious sequences of cattle driving, Indian attacks and a sweeping plot of romance and revenge to match the majestic landscapes. The performances are all impressive, especially John Wayne in yet another example of the surprising range he had when he was younger. He plays the conflicted, tyrannical aged cattle baron Thomas Dunson; pushing his outfit on a seemingly impossible, desperate drive from Texas to Missouri. This leads to locking horns with his adopted son Matthew, played by a striking-looking Montgomery Clift. There’s also humour, mainly from Walter Brennan as yet another elderly, adorable sidekick. Coleen Gray gives an impressive range as the card-sharp female lead; from cool to passionate as she tries to calm the burning feud between Thomas and Matthew. In my book, ‘Red River’ certainly earns its place among the ranks of western classics. 

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

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