Red River (1948) | |
| Director(s) | Howard Hawks, Arthur Rosson |
| Producer(s) | Howard Hawks, Charles K. Feldman (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Action, Adventure, Romance, Western |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, LBGT, Ranchers |
Featured Cast:
Red River Overview:
Red River (1948) was a Western - Action Film directed by Howard Hawks and Arthur Rosson and produced by Howard Hawks and Charles K. Feldman.
The film was based on the serial novel The Chisholm Trail written by Borden Chase published in The Saturday Evening Post from Dec 7, 1946 - Jan 11, 1947.
SYNOPSIS
With Hawks's first Western he showed his mastery of the genre, producing an enduring classic that features one of Wayne's finest performances. Wayne splits from an ill-fated wagon train heading west, and steers toward Texas with his friend Brennan and a young Indian-attack survivor who grows up to be Clift. Wayne establishes the biggest spread in Texas, and runs it with the ruthlessness he showed in seizing the land. When he drives thousands of cattle north to Missouri, Wayne ignores the advice of his hands about the new Chisholm Trail, and runs the drive with an iron fist that leads to killings and mutiny. Clift finally establishes his own claim to the ranch's heritage by defying Wayne and heading to Kansas despite Wayne's threat to kill him. After a climactic brawl, Wayne acknowledges Clift's claim and the men are reconciled. A big, muscular drama with Clift's quiet steel making a nice contrast to Wayne's grit, and Brennan's comic turn adding a lighter note. The director's restored version contains eight minutes of previously excised footage.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.Red River was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1990.
Academy Awards 1948 --- Ceremony Number 21 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Film Editing | Christian Nyby | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Borden Chase | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
John Wayne and Montgomery Clift clash in Howard Hawks's "Red River"
By Stephen Reginald on Apr 24, 2023 From Classic Movie ManJohn Wayne and Montgomery Clift clash in Howard Hawks's "Red River" Red River (1948) is an American western film directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan, and Joanne Dru. The movie is based on The Chisholm Trail, first published in The Saturday Evening ... Read full article
PRIDE MONTH: John Ireland and Montgomery Clift in Red River (1948)
By Carol Martinheira on Jun 10, 2021 From The Old Hollywood GardenPRIDE MONTH: John Ireland and Montgomery Clift in Red River (1948) On June 10, 2021 By CarolIn Uncategorized June is Pride Month and, like always, celebrations abound here at the Garden. And while I’ve already talked about some of the big ones, like Morocco (... Read full article
Review: Red River (1948)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 4, 2016 From 4 Star FilmsAny conversation on quintessential American Westerns certainly has to at least consider Red River. It has genre mainstay John Wayne in one of his most stirring performances, a moody precursor to The Searchers. It boasts the debut of the often criminally under-appreciated method actor Monty Clift. Mo... Read full article
Review: Red River (1948)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 4, 2016 From 4 Star FilmsAny conversation on quintessential American Westerns certainly has to at least consider Red River. It has genre mainstay John Wayne in one of his most stirring performances, a moody precursor to The Searchers. It boasts the debut of the often criminally under-appreciated method actor Monty Clift. Mo... Read full article
Red River
By Amanda Garrett on Nov 17, 2015 From Old Hollywood FilmsToday, I'm looking at director Howard Hawks' classic Western Red River (1948) starring John Wayne (left) and Montgomery Clift. This article is part of the Criterion Blogathon hosted by Criterion Blues, Speakeasy, and Silver Screenings. Here's a gentle reminder that this review contains spoile... Read full article
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Quotes from
Matt, as a boy: How did you know when he was gonna draw?
Thomas Dunson: By watching his eyes. Remember that.
Matt, as a boy: I will.
Thomas Dunson: Get a shovel and my Bible. I'll read over him.
Thomas Dunson: Cherry was right. You're soft, you should have let 'em kill me, 'cause I'm gonna kill you. I'll catch up with ya. I don't know when, but I'll catch up. Every time you turn around, expect to see me, 'cause one time you'll turn around and I'll be there. I'm gonna kill ya, Matt.
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Facts about
Howard Hawks originally wanted Gregg Toland as his director of photography. When Toland proved unavailable, he had to go with Russell Harlan instead.
The theme song, "Settle Down" was later used under the title "My Rifle, My Pony and Me" in Rio Bravo, another John Wayne western.
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