True Grit is a rather small tale of adventure in The West. It reads almost like a young adult fiction novel. It is mostly benign and very clean about anything to do with violence or sex or any adult themes. I thought it was a good film with another memorable character from John Wayne. Without his persona the film would be of little value or entertainment. The film was released in 1969. It was directed by Henry Hathaway and is based on a novel by Charles Portis. The film stars a John Wayne who was reaching the twilight of his acting career. The supporting cast is rounded out with a young Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Glen Campbell, and Kim Darby.
The premise that drives the film is the murder of Mattie Ross's father by Tom Chaney. From there the action escalates to a showdown between Rooster Cogburn and Ned Pepper. Along the way Glen Campbell joins the forces for good. The film is a battle between law and order and bandits set in the Indian country. It is a rather simple story that is slow to develop, but ends up satisfying with a big ending.
The characters of the film are believable. Mattie Ross is convincing as the teenage girl looking to bring in her father's murderer. John Wayne won an Oscar for his role as Rooster Cogburn. Deservedly so. His attitude and swagger are distinct traits of his acting persona. As in his many other roles in Westerns the John Wayne persona is on full display for lovers of The Duke. He is frank, violent, and swigs a whiskey bottle for all to see with no regrets about his actions. It would seem Rooster was invincible and Wayne could continue to make films forever. It is films like True Grit, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance that created the myth of John Wayne. A myth that will go down in film history as one of the most popular onscreen personas ever to grace the screen. Quality performances were had from Dennis Hopper and Robert Duvall as well. This must have been a stepping stone film for them.
The film doesn't have many gimmicks or special effects. It's straight forward, rough riding film that pulls no punches. In fact, it was obviously low budget. It looked like most of the scenes were shot on location. There was good use of mise en scene in the cabin scene and some shots of the great West added to the allure of the film. Save to say this wasn't an art film or looking to break any rules. The writing was well done. In parts it seemed to reflect it's literary basis as the words were well written and well spoken. There was nary a cuss word or any display of vulgarity that wasn't played to light comic effect.
The film starts out with a bang. The killing of Mattie's father and then the hanging of three men in the square as Mattie watches. The action reaches a lull as things develop. The ending is clearly the best part of the film. The inclusion of the pit with the snake added a twist that places a time constraint on the rest of the film. It added suspense and intensity and created a moment of relief when Mattie is safe and healthy. She offers Rooster a place for him to buried which was a nice touch.
The ending was not Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch or any of the Leone films with Clint Eastwood. Perhaps that's why the film is not considered one of the best Westerns ever made. It is comparable to Seven Men From Now, Ride the High Country, and other Westerns that tell simple stories about the Old West. True Grit is far from a bloodbath of a shootout or an orgy of violence and debauchery. It adds a story to the myth of the West as righteous, courteous, but insistent and courageous.
The message of the film like many Westerns is that good triumphs over evil. And that persistence and courage will lead to victory over the forces of evil. It seemed to take the stand that human nature is evil and there needs to be a strong hand to keep it from devolving into chaos. There are many references to Federal authority, Judges, and Rooster Cogburn as a Federal Marshall. The point was well made and obvious. In the face of authority the bandits had no chance.
If you like films that are based on literature, you may like this film. If you are looking for a film that delves deep into the darkness or violence you will probably be bored by this film which was made before or in opposition to the New Hollywood of the late 60's and 70's. However, if you are a big John Wayne fan this one is not to be missed. His performance is great and adds to the myth of The Duke. That was the main reason I watched the film. As I've mentioned before Wayne won the Oscar for best actor for True Grit. And it was a good decision by the Academy to award him with the statuette.
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