Released in 1969 and directed by Henry Hathaway, "True Grit" is a Western starring John Wayne as an overweight, one-eyed, alcoholic Marshal who signs on to help a stubborn, mature-beyond-her-years 14 year-old girl (Kim Darby) track down her father's murderer (Jeff Corey) in Indian Territory. Glen Campbell plays a Texas Ranger who joins them while Robert Duvall appears as the leader of the outlaw gang. Dennis Hopper & Jeremy Slate have peripheral roles.This is one of the Duke's better Westerns, mainly due to the great story based on Charles Portis' novel. It's talky, yet entertaining with bouts of almost shocking violence (one guy's fingers get chopped off). The locations are spectacular, shot at Inyo National Forest, California (the outlaw dugout), Colorado (Ouray, Canon City, Ridgway, Montrose & Gunnison) and Durango, Mexico. Unfortunately, they're not accurate in the least. The story in the book starts near Fort Smith in West-Central Arkansas and proceeds into the Choctaw Indian Territory of Southeastern Oklahoma, which looks nothing like the breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery observed in the movie. The 2010 version is more accurate with a more mundane backdrop shot in East-Central Texas and New Mexico. Speaking of which, it's interesting comparing the two movies, which are on par. They're the same story and each has their highlights.Rooster Cogburn is a great character and one of Wayne's more memorable roles. Besides the two "True Grit" movies, Rooster (the character) also appears in 1975's "Rooster Cogburn" (also starring Wayne), which is as good or better than "True Grit" (believe it!), as well as a 1978 TV movie "True Grit: A Further Adventure" featuring Warren Oates as Cogburn, which I have yet to view.Darby was 21 during filming and utterly stalwart while Campbell is surprisingly good. It's also interesting seeing Duvall and Hopper in their younger years.The film runs 128 minutes. SCREENPLAY: Marguerite Roberts. ADDITIONAL CAST: H.W. Gim, Strother Martin, John Fiedler & James Westerfield.GRADE: A-

Even on a small television screen John Wayne is a BIG big man. Not only in size, but in his incredible talent. His Rooster Cogburn is not the typical all around good-guy we have come to expect and WOW ... is he good ! Oscar worthy ? Sure .. why in heck not ? The story is well presented. The supporting cast is outstanding. Even non-actor Glen Campbell carried it off. Special mention for Robert Duvall... one of those chameleon actors who can handle the most rural or urban roles without batting an eyelash.The scenery !!! No need to say more ! One small negative... the constant overuse of the theme music. When the music is this noticeable and repetitive ... it's wrong.If you have not seen the original, I suggest that you remedy that situation as soon as possible. Just watch it and don't worry about comparing it to the re-make. That always seems to be to be a pointless activity anyway.

True Grit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065126/ 1969: This movie is the culmination of John Wayne's entire carrier and in my opinion is his way of saying goodbye to us all right down to when he jumps that rail with his trade mark beautiful long legs horses; of which I have painted many times over. I have also painted the background in this movie including my four foot by 3 foot acrylic on wood the fall painting: http://radmanart2ndhome.blogspot.com/ Every minute of every moment of the 1969 movie; True Grit make, me want to cry; it is so perfectly done. Every human being in this live deserves revenge on someone; this is much apart of this life as we shall all live. Whether or not you have a mental disorder and think you can take that revenge yourself is a rare if non existent fact. Hopefully you see the reason that revenge is best rot by the law, or God himself.I hold no quarter in proclaiming; if I should name a real life movie character; that is my real life hero; it was John Wayne. In the move True Grit; I also name that person to be Glen Campbell a great hero as well. Please do your homework and check out John Wayne's library of movies to prove my point and like listening to Marylyn Masons first 3 CD's and saying he is no good, you better wake up. Compared to John Wayne you must be ignorant or just plane stupid, to say John Wayne is not a real life hero of the silver screen. See the movie The Searches http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049730/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_44 to bring what I said right to your heart. I let this movie speak for itself. Now to go give the remake a very bad review something I have never done. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403865/

John Wayne shines here, in his Oscar-winning portrayal of a cantankerous, tough, hard- drinking, one-eyed federal marshal named "Rooster" Cogburn. Headstrong young Mattie Ross (an appealing Kim Darby) approaches him for help: find Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey), the no- good type who shot and killed her father, and bring Chaney back to face the hangman. Mattie requires Roosters' services because this killing is no longer a matter for the police as Chaney is now hiding in Indian territory, riding with the bandit Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall) and his gang. Mattie insists on tagging along with Rooster every step of the way, and also along for the ride is a stubborn Texas Ranger, La Boeuf (singer Glen Campbell).The characters are surely a very compelling bunch, with Wayne dominating the screen in his inimitable style. Although they didn't really get along behind the camera, he and Darby work pretty well together on screen. Campbells' part comes across as not that likable to start, but he does endear himself more to the viewer as the story progresses. Based on the novel by Charles Portis, with a screenplay by Marguerite Roberts, the film is extremely well directed by Henry Hathaway, and gets a lot of juice from the sparks set by the two main characters. In addition, it's very effective in the realistic, even handed way that it treats the villainous Pepper. Duvall is superb in this low key performance where you won't see any "moustache twirling".The always very reliable director of photography Lucien Ballard makes the film look just gorgeous, and Elmer Bernstein composed a wonderful score.There's an absolutely delightful line-up of talent in supporting and character roles: Jeremy Slate, Dennis Hopper, Strother Martin (his scenes with Darby are very amusing), Ron Soble, John Fiedler, James Westerfield, John Doucette, Myron Healey, James McEachin, Jay Silverheels, and Hank Worden.Ultimately, this is charming and poignant and Wayne makes the most out of the material, with Cogburn emerging as one of the most colourful parts of his career.Nine out of 10.