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People are voting emotionally.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Absolutely the worst movie.

This is a better-than-average western that has several things going for it. Good acting, great scenery, impressive cast - including all of the cattle, over 1,000 for sure in some scenes! It appears no expense was spared in the creation of this one. Film in a nutshell: an epic cattle drive serves as the backdrop for the story of a father and (adopted) son's struggle in a battle of wills that borrows heavily from "Mutiny on the Bounty."As good as it sounds, though, it's not perfect. There are a few problems here but the main one is the ending/conclusion/climax. While trying not to spoil it for anyone reading this who has not actually seen it yet, the insertion of the Tess Millay character into the narrative, and her subsequent actions that bring about the climax, really do not work. It feels forced, contrived, even silly. After two hours of tension mounting slowly but surely between father Dunson (John Wayne) and son Garth (Montgomery Clift), it's all resolved in a blink by a character neither man has known for more than a week. This is just not effective story-telling. Several reviewers here mention they allow that the ending of this film is not very good, possibly awful actually, yet still feel compelled to rate it 10/10. Even Roger Ebert stated that the ending hurt the film but still listed it on his "Great Movies" list. Well, I can't do that. If there are acknowledged problems with a film, it really should not be given a perfect score. '10/10' should denote that a film was perfect, you wouldn't change a thing. If you find that you would change something here or there, you've got to take it down a peg or two. And with this unsatisfactory ending, it can't be a 10.There are a few other issues. As mentioned it's not exactly original as it does borrow liberally from the "Mutiny" plot. There are also some unlikely and inexplicable situations presented here, like when Dunson abruptly leaves the wagon train at the beginning of the film without so much as a discussion with his girlfriend, who he leaves behind. This felt incredibly silly and unrealistic. "I'll send for you," he tells her as he leaves. What? How? She's going to California, he's heading for Texas, and he's just going to 'send for her' later? How exactly is he going to do that without telephones or an address or anything? That's....dumb. There are also some continuity errors, like cows appearing and disappearing behind the wagon on the way to Texas, and Dunson going from holding a whip to a gun in his right hand during the confrontation with Bunk Kenneally. Sloppy.Overall it's still a good film and worth a watch, but I do not find it to be worthy of any 'top 10' lists, there are just too many issues here. It's on the borderline of "I might watch this again on a rainy day" but that's about as high as it goes. I've certainly seen better. 7/10.

What a wonderful movie . Once again John Wayne , Joanne Dru , and Montgomery Clift were phenomenal. While watching this movie , my thoughts were " Nobody should come to the movies unless you believe in heroes " and " if everything is not black and white why the heck not". Obviously, we all know these are John Wayne Quotes. The 1000 mile Journey was a challenge and despite the fact they had lots of challenges they completed there task. You would be shocked how beautiful the cows were , even in black and white . Cows have a special place in American culture and history . The cows helped settle this country and to no surprise they still have huge impact on us all I strongly suggest to see this movie and enjoy history unfold

Red River (1948): Dir: Howard Hawks / Cast: John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan, Joanne Dru, Mickey Kuhn: Western classic with a title that not only addresses an overwhelming cattle drive but it also symbolizes the survival of generations. John Wayne plays a stubborn cattle hand named Thomas Dunson whose wagon train is wiped out by Indians leaving a lone boy survivor. Several years pass and Dunson's successful rise of cattle and selling beef comes under threat when poverty strikes so he recruits several men to drive the cattle to Missouri where a chance to sell the cattle is promising. From here the screenplay becomes extremely episodic with a stampede caused by someone's idiocy. Eventually a division is caused when Dunson's leadership becomes too heavy handed and his cattle is overtaken. Howard Hawks captures the era but the climax is corny with its fistfight make up conclusion. Wayne is effective as the hard driven Dunson who demands commitment when a task is underway. Montgomery Clift is superb as the grown boy who will challenge Dunson's authority. Walter Brennan plays Dunson's partner through life. Only Joanne Dru is pathetic as a woman in love with Clift after an awkward meeting. Mickey Kuhn plays the younger version of what would become Montgomery Clift. Theme of generation works when the screenplay drowns in corny clichés. Score: 6 ½ / 10

Red River is another one of the timeless films that just somehow seems to get better with age. This is the first of a series that totalled 5 films which saw the combination of John Wayne and Howard Hawks. This film is sometimes compared to Mutiny on the Bounty but from a western point of view. The relationship between the two main characters "Tom Dunson" and "Matt Garth" is based on trust, each would kill the other if required but that doesn't mean they don't trust or respect each other. This was probably if not the best film that was released during 1948.Montgomery Clift portrays Matt Girth extremely well and Walter Brennan also performs a good part as Tom Dunson's side kick.In summary a story about the cattle drives of the 40's what problems a they faced. Its really well worth a watch again and again.