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True Grit

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2 Related Movies

Sequel:

Rooster Cogburn

Remake:

True Grit

Original title

True Grit

Year

1969

Running time

122 min.

Country

United States

Director

Henry Hathaway

Screenwriter

Marguerite Roberts. Novel: Charles Portis

Cast

Music

Elmer Bernstein

Cinematography

Lucien Ballard

Producer

Paramount Pictures

Genre

Western. Adventure | Revenge. Crime

Movie Groups

Charles Portis Adaptations

Synopsis

The murder of her father sends a teenage tomboy, Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), on a mission of "justice", which involves avenging her father's death. She recruits a tough old marshal, "Rooster" Cogburn (John Wayne), because he has "grit", and a reputation of getting the job done. The two are joined by a Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf (Glen Campbell), who is looking for the same man (Jeff Corey) for a separate murder in Texas. Their odyssey takes them from Fort Smith, Arkansas, deep into the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma) to find their man.

Rankings Position

#80 Best Westerns in the history of film

Awards: 1969: Oscar: Best Actor (John Wayne). 2 Nominations

1969: Golden Globes: Best Actor - Drama (John Wayne). 3 Nominations

1969: BAFTA Awards: Nominated to Best Promising Newcomer (Kim Darby)

1969: Writers Guild of America (WGA): Nominated for Best Adapted Drama Screenplay

1969: National Board of Review (NBR): nominated to Top Ten Films.

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Critics' reviews

"One of the glories of True Grit is that it recognizes Wayne (...) This is the sort of film you call a movie, instead of the kind of movie you call a film"

Roger Ebert: Chicago Sun-Times
"A marvelously rambling frontier fable packed with extraordinary incidents, amazing encounters, noble characters, and virtuous rewards."

Vincent Canby: The New York Times
"It’s mostly Wayne all the way. He towers over everything in the film – actors, script [from Charles Portis’ novel], even the magnificent Colorado mountains"

Variety Staff: Variety
"Irresistible 1969 Hal Wallis-Henry Hathaway Western that won John Wayne his long overdue Oscar"

Kevin Thomas: Los Angeles Times
"Lazily directed by Hathaway, it's pleasant enough, if rather too self-consciously coy."

Tom Milne: Time Out
"A charming blend of comedy, action and sentiment"

Paul Howlett: The Guardian
"While it's broad comedy rather than real acting, Wayne's performance is mainly a delight, especially when he turns into John Wayne"

William Thomas: Empire

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Ranking Lists Position

57 My Favorite Westerns (131)

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True Grit

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