Film Review: Rio Bravo (1959)

Howard Hawks is often regarded as one of the greatest directors in Hollywood history. Although he began his foray into Westerns relatively late in his illustrious career, it is this genre that has largely defined his legacy for younger audiences. This may be attributed to the vibrant colour palettes employed in these films, but more significantly, it is the 1959 classic Rio Bravo that stands out as a quintessential example of the genre, frequently hailed as one of the greatest and most influential Westerns ever made.

The plot of the film is set in a small Texas town where Sheriff John T. Chance, portrayed by John Wayne, has apprehended Joe Burdette, played by Claude Akins, for murder. The plot thickens as Joe's brother, Nathan Burdette (played by John Russell), a wealthy and powerful rancher, seeks to liberate him from custody by any means necessary. This includes rallying a small army of gunslingers intent on intimidating both the sheriff and the townspeople into submission. Sheriff Chance is resolute in his commitment to uphold the law and refuses to back down. However, he must hold the fort until the arrival of a U.S. Marshal while relying solely on his two deputies: Dude (played by Dean Martin), an alcoholic struggling with his demons, and Stumpy (played by Walter Brennan), an elderly man with physical limitations. Their efforts are bolstered by Colorado (played by Ricky Nelson), a young gunslinger hired by Chance's deceased friend Pat Wheeler (played by Ward Bond), who was murdered by Burdette's henchmen. Complicating matters further is “Feathers” (played by Angie Dickinson), an alluring woman with a penchant for card cheating whom Chance is supposed to arrest but ultimately finds himself romantically drawn to.

Despite its seemingly straightforward plot, Rio Bravo boasts an epic runtime exceeding two hours; however, viewers are unlikely to feel fatigued or disinterested. Hawks adeptly utilises a script co-written by Jules Furthman and Leigh Brackett to deliver everything audiences expect from a Western during its golden age—and more. The film features not only thrilling gunfights but also an abundance of humour, poignant drama, memorable musical numbers, and even moments of fan service for admirers of Angie Dickinson, whose character dons a costume that was quite risqué by 1950s Hollywood standards.

The film's visual storytelling is enhanced by the cinematography of Russell Harlan and complemented by an evocative score from renowned composer Dimitri Tiomkin. Having previously collaborated with Hawks on Red River, Tiomkin’s contributions to Rio Bravo include the iconic theme that underpins “My Rifle, My Pony and Me,” often regarded as one of the most memorable songs in Western cinema. Additionally, Tiomkin’s clever incorporation of “El Degüello,” a Mexican bugle call historically associated with the Siege of Alamo as a signal for no quarter, adds a layer of tension to the soundtrack. This particular choice would later inspire celebrated Italian composer Ennio Morricone in crafting themes for Sergio Leone’s classic spaghetti Westerns featuring the Man with No Name.

Hawks returned to filmmaking with Rio Bravo after taking a sabbatical following the unexpected failure of his historical epic Land of the Pharaohs. He was fortunate to assemble an exceptional cast that included John Wayne, who had previously starred in Red River and delivered arguably the most impressive acting performance of his career. In Rio Bravo, Wayne delivers somewhat less impressive performance, mainly because his character is less complex and more conventional.

This apparent simplicity in Wayne's characterisation is more than compensated for by the film's diverse ensemble cast. Dean Martin excels in his serious role as Dude, portraying a character grappling with insecurities and personal traumas exacerbated by alcoholism. Veteran actor Walter Brennan provides excellent comic relief as Stumpy, adding levity to tense situations. Ricky Nelson, cast partly due to his youthful appeal and popularity as a singer, performs admirably in his role as Colorado. Angie Dickinson shines as Feathers; her character embodies resourcefulness and resilience within a male-dominated environment—a recurring theme in Hawks' films.

What makes Rio Bravo particularly fascinating is its partial genesis as a response to another classic Western: Fred Zinnemann's 1952 film High Noon. Both Hawks and Wayne perceived the central premise of High Noon, which depicts a solitary hero abandoned by a hypocritical community during times of crisis, as fundamentally anti-American. In contrast, Rio Bravo presents an inverted scenario where Sheriff Chance must reject assistance from community members whom he deems too weak or troubled to participate in the impending showdown.

Upon its release, Rio Bravo emerged as a significant box office success; however, this popularity proved to be a double-edged sword regarding its critical reception. Initial reviews were lukewarm at best; critics did not express overwhelming enthusiasm for the film upon its debut. Over time, however, it garnered recognition as a classic—though Hawks himself did not share any reservations about its quality at the time of release. His two last films—1966’s El Dorado and 1970’s Rio Lobo—both feature John Wayne and echo similar premises to those found in Rio Bravo, often being considered loose remakes of Hawks’ 1959 classic.

The lasting legacy of Rio Bravo was ultimately solidified when filmmaker John Carpenter paid homage to it through his 1976 action thriller Assault on Precinct 13. Carpenter's work stands as another testament to how deeply influential Hawks' film has been within cinematic history.

RATING: 9/10 (++++)

Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo

Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e

BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9

Posted Using InLeo Alpha