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Red River

1948 · 2h 13m · Approved Western
Directed by Howard Hawks , Arthur Rosson

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Overview

Following the Civil War, headstrong rancher Thomas Dunson decides to lead a perilous cattle drive from Texas to Missouri. During the exhausting journey, his persistence becomes tyrannical in the eyes of Matthew Garth, his adopted son and protégé.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
100%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Immaculately shot by Russell Harlan, perfectly performed by a host of Hawks regulars, and shot through with dark comedy, it's probably the finest Western of the '40s.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh

Even despite a big let-down, which fortunately comes near the end, it stands sixteen hands above the level of routine horse opera these days. So strap on your trusty six-shooters and race to the wind-swept Capitol, you lovers of good old Western fiction.

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Fresh

It's a sign of the movie's complexity that John Wayne, often typecast, is given a tortured, conflicted character to play.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

The staging of physical conflict is deadly, equalling anything yet seen on the screen.

Variety

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