In 1969 John Wayne won his sole Acadamy Award for portraying Rooster Cogburn, a slovenly one-eyed U.S. Marshall in the enormously sucessful True Grit which spawned a sequel featuring Katharine Hepburn as well as a largely successful recent retread by The Coen Brothers. I don't wish to compare both films here except for saying that although Jeff Bridges portrayal was wonderful and probably more precise as to what a slovenly U.S. Marshall should be, the role belongs to The Duke who originally established it with his massive presence and charsima. The story revolves around Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) whose father is murdered in cold blood. She hires Cogburn, a man she believes possesses grit, to track the killer across dangerous country where they are in turn joined by La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), a Texas Ranger seeking a bounty on the same man. True Grit was directed by Henry Hathaway and seems to be an inclusive adaptation of the Charles Portis novel. It is filmed in glorious technicolor, while containing hokey elements associated with like films of the time. Stars Darby and Campbell are both weak as actors but effectual in their roles. It is also interesting to see Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper in early roles. What makes the film special is the rousing final 30 minutes of the picture and Wayne's unforgettable commanding performance.
