True Grit (1969)
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A young girl hires an aging U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger to track down the outlaw who murdered her father.
The story
In 1880, teenager Mattie Ross travels to Fort Smith, Arkansas, following the murder of her father by his hired hand, Tom Chaney. Seeking justice, Mattie hires Rooster Cogburn—an aging, alcoholic, one-eyed U.S. Marshal—to help track him down, as Chaney has fled into Indian Territory and joined the gang of outlaw "Lucky" Ned Pepper, who previously escaped Cogburn's custody. Also in town is young Texas Ranger La Boeuf, who is pursuing Chaney for the murder of a Texas senator. He offers Cogburn a share of the reward money to bring Chaney back to Texas, despite Mattie's insistence that he be hanged in just Fort Smith.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1880, Mattie Ross seeks justice for her father's murder by Tom Chaney. She hires U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn and Texas Ranger La Boeuf to track Chaney, who has joined the gang of "Lucky" Ned Pepper. The trio travels into Indian Territory. After a confrontation with horse thieves, they set an ambush for Pepper's gang. During a skirmish, several gang members are killed, but Pepper escapes. Later, Mattie encounters Chaney and shoots him, but is taken hostage by Pepper's gang. Cogburn and La Boeuf engage the gang in a fight; Cogburn kills several men and wounds Pepper, while La Boeuf kills Pepper. However, Mattie is left behind and is later bitten by a rattlesnake after a struggle with Chaney. Cogburn eventually finds her and rescues her from a snake pit, while La Boe1f is left behind due to his injuries. After Mattie is treated for her injuries, Cogburn is paid his fee and eventually escorts her back to her family ranch in Arkansas.
- First release year
- 1969
- Runtime (minutes)
- 128
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Henry Hathaway
- Writers
- Marguerite Roberts · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- John Wayne · Rooster Cogburn; Glen Campbell · La Boeuf; Kim Darby · Mattie Ross; Robert Duvall; Dennis Hopper; Jeff Corey; Strother Martin
- Genres
- Western; Drama
- Themes
- Justice; Courage; Survival
- Tone and mood
- Western; Serious
- Premise and plot tags
- Western; Revenge; Law Enforcement
- Franchise connections
- True Grit
- Reception
- The film was a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised John Wayne's performance.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actor · Win; Golden Globe Award · Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama · Win; Academy Award · Best Original Song · Nomination; BAFTA Award · Most Promising Newcomer · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was originally intended to have a G rating but was edited for 'four-letter words'.; John Wayne's character, Rooster Cogburn, was based on Deputy U.S. Marshal Henry "Heck" Thomas.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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