John Wayne, the Duke, was larger than life. Starring in over 100 films he was the king of Westerns and a man you didn't want to mess with: a strong, strong willed man. Both of my grandfathers loved the Duke's films, and as such I have seen all of his films...on many occasions. In fact, my cousins and I have a health appreciation for John Wayne films, and all own at least 1 (or find reasons to watch his films). My uncle even has
John Wayne Monopoly!
Some of his westerns have similar plots, and are ultimately difficult to distinguish from one another by description only, but they are still interesting films. Not only did the Duke exemplify the image of the Western hero, he also made several war films and comedies. Branching out further, he was a Private Investigator, a detective, a fire fighter, and a pilot among others.
These are the 10 films that I believe truly highlight the genius of the Duke. Love him or hate him, there is no denying he is a film icon...and these are the roles that I think of
first when I hear the name John Wayne.
1. Big Jake (1971)
The Duke is Big Jake, a man who lives off the land and hasn't seen his family in years. He is called back to town by his estranged wife (Maureen O'Hara) after their home is attacked, one son is shot and his grandson is kidnapped. He, along with his other two sons and an Indian friend, set out to pay the ransom and bring the boy home. His relationship with his sons is rocky at first: they don't know how to react to each other. After getting a few things straightened out (it's his way or you're out) they hit the rocky trail. The main villain in the film is played by frequent collaborator Richard Boone, and he hits all the right notes! Besides that the characters of son James and grandson Little Jake are played by his real sons Patrick and Ethan. Incredible!
2.
Rooster Cogburn (1975) /
True Grit (1969)
I definitely prefer Rooster Cogburn, but True Grit did win the Duke his first and only Oscar. In both films the Duke stars as Rooster Cogburn, a one-eyed mean marshal with a drinking problem.
In True Grit he is hired by a young pain-in-the-neck girl to capture the man who killed her father. They are accompanied on the journey by a Texas ranger who wants to see the same man tried for a different murder. While overall the story is good and the dialog is memorable, I just can't enjoy the performances of Glen Campbell and the character of Maddie is irritating and I can't stand her character. I prefer the sequel.
Rooster Cogburn sees the Duke teamed with Katharine Hepburn. Rooster is sent to help out a small Indian village where he teams up with Eula Goodnight who's father was killed while trying to help the people of the village. Far superior to it's predecessor, the Duke and Hepburn are an even match: their characters respect each other but they still don't want the other to win any verbal sparring (even though she tends to one-up him every time!). I don't know why this one did not do as well in the box office, but I still love it. Some many quotable lines, so little time!
3.
McLintock (1963)
"I am not intoxicated... yet!"
The Duke is cattle baron G.W. McLintock. He is estranged from his wife Katherine who left him two years before. She returns to discuss divorce and their daughter who is returning from college. This film is best known for it's paddling scene (yes, it is similar to the scene in "The Quiet Man", except this time the Duke is
chasing O'Hara through town, instead of
dragging her through town). The cast is filled with great character actors who all bring their A game. Also, while I think this is one of the Duke's funniest films, and there are many memorable quotes!
4.
Rio Bravo (1959)
There are about 3 Duke films with essentially the same plot (
Rio Lobo and
El Dorado), and this is the best one, if not one of the best Duke films made. The Duke is Sheriff John Chance who arrests a notorious criminal and throws him in jail. This criminal tends to get away with his crimes because of his wealthy brother, but that doesn't stop the sheriff. Because everyone knows who the criminal is, no one wants to help. The only help he can get is a crippled old man and a drunk (who used to be a talented gunslinger). Can those three, plus a "newbie" gunslinger and a saloon gal really stop Burdette and the "army" of hired guns he brings along?
5.
The Searchers (1956)
This is the darkest, and probably the finest Duke film ever. Often watched and discussed in film classes, this film has a lot going for it filmically. That being said, the first time you watch this film it is a bit of a shock. Multiple viewings show the deeper motivations of the Duke's Ethan (or read about the film and that clears it up). It isn't a feel good film by any stretch of the imagination, but that isn't what it is meant to be.
6.
The Quiet Man (1952)
Set in Ireland, the Duke is Sean, an American who moves to Ireland. He falls in love with a local girl, but enters a feud with her brother, which culminates in a large fight which the entire town attends. This film is mostly known for the fiery relationship between the leads, and the Duke literally dragging his bride from the train station to her brothers home, and then fighting her brother all over town. It is a funny film, especially the supporting characters.
7.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Jimmy Stewart and the Duke, and Lee Marvin! While Stewart is seen as the "star" of the film, the Duke gives a reserved performance in this film that you never see coming. While the Duke is not the center of attention, his Tom is a tough man with a conscience and does the right thing. You might not want to bring him home to the folks, but you'd be proud to call him a friend. And besides that, this film has one of the best closing lines, and in hindsight it is interesting to see what Stewart's Ransom loses when he tells the story.
8.
Hatari! (1962)
This one made the list for purely nostalgia. My brother and I loved this film growing up and we can quote about 75% of the film, if not all of it. Hatari! (which means danger in Swahili) has the Duke in Africa capturing animals for zoos. His Sean is the head of the crew catching the animals. The cast is great and very funny and they do their own stunts, also the baby elephants are cute. I don't care if the other people think the movie sucks...it will always be funny to me, especially Pockets fear of animals.
9.
The Cowboys (1972)
The Duke tends to be the big man in his movies, and the Cowboys he looms over his costars metaphorically and physically. He is Wil Anderson, a rancher who needs to move his head of cattle, but the only help he can find are a bunch of young boys (who he calls cowboys). This is his most controversial films...not only is this one of the few films where he dies, we witness his brutal murder and the subsequent revenge sought by his boys. Bruce Dern is menacing as the antagonist, and apparently he had a hard time finding work after making this film (and also received death threats for killing the Duke). It is a different kind of Duke film, but a good different.
10.
The Shootist (1976)
It seems like poetic justice to have this be the Duke's last film. He plays J.B. Books, a notorious gunfighter who is dying from cancer. As others have noted this is similar to the Duke's own story: a gunslinger (like his westerns) dying of cancer (his cancer didn't return until a few years later, but still) trying to fit in with the changing world (he didn't fit in with the new Hollywood scene). The cast is comprised of accomplished actors giving genuine performances. Both Books & the Duke want to go out their way and in the end they both do their respective legacies proud.
Other films with the Duke:
