At the Movies with Fatwayne

This was one of the most memorable western movies ever made and there were a lot of good ones. When I learned that there would be a remake of the 1969 classic I did not know what to think. When I saw the 2010 version I have to admit that I was impressed. I was pleased to see that this latest reincarnation followed the book more closely thus giving it some difference from the original film. That, in my opinion, is what saved it.

Let’s talk about which movie I preferred. I will tip my hat to John Wayne and the 1969 effort for a number of reasons. To me, Wayne in his later years was untouchable especially in the role of Rooster Cogburn. His acting in the film won him an Oscar for best performance. On the other hand, I was more than a little turned off by the acting of Glen Campbell as Texas Ranger Le Boeuf. What in the world were they thinking? The original True Grit featured many great western character actors such as Strother Martin (Col. Stonehill), Robert Duvall (Lucky Ned Pepper), Jeff Corey (Tom Chaney), John Doucette (Town sheriff) and John Fielder (Lawyer Daggett). Google them and see if they bring back any memories.

As far as the 2010 film, I felt that it also was a great western movie. Jeff Bridges surprised me in the lead role of Rooster. I did not imagine that I could watch him and not continually compare him to John Wayne. He certainly did a great job of filling the “Duke’s” boots. Hailee Steinfeld was every bit as good as Kim Darby was playing the equally gritty Mattie Ross. Josh Brolin did well also but I have to admit that I thought Jeff Corey outshined him as the despicable Tom Chaney. And finally, Dakin Matthews was totally outclassed by Strother Martin as the wily horsetrader, Col. G. Stonehill.

I fully enjoyed the way the writers phrased the words and the manner in which the actors expressed their lines especially in the original version. To give you an idea (and a treat) of what I am talking about, I offer the following quotes from 1969′s True Grit.

-  testifying at a trial Rooster is being is grilled by the defense attorney who asks him if his revolver was loaded and cocked to which Rooster replies “Well a gun that’s unloaded and cocked ain’t good for nothing”

-  continuing, the lawyer asks Rooster in which direction was he going when he backed away – “backwards, I always go backwards when I’m backing away!”

-  playing cards with Chin Lee Rooster sees a rat eating their corn and after having a bit too much to drink he tells the rat “Mr. Rat, I have a writ here that says you’re to stop eating Chin Lee’s corn meal forth with. Now it’s rat writ – writ for a rat and this is lawful service (he shoots the rat). 

-  Mattie Ross arguing with Ranger La Boeuf when she tells him “I notice that people in your state (Texas) gouge their horses with great brutal spurs and cultivate their hair like lettuce …. Mr. La Boeuf I have no regard for you but I’m sure you have enough to go around!”

-  Horse trader, Col. Stonehill having been frustrated doing business with Mattie Ross tells her upon seeing her again “I have just received word that a young girl fell head first into a fifty foot well and I hoped perhaps it was you!”    

-  Mattie Ross and Rooster are having a conversation when she asks him if he was ever married “My friends were a pack of river rats so she up and left me and went back to her first husband who was clerking in a hardware store in Paduka. Goodbye Reuben she said, the love of decency does not abide in you. That’s a divorced woman talking for you, about decency. Well I told her, I said goodbye Nola, I hope that nail selling bastard makes you happy this time!”

-  Facing off in a clearing Rooster tells Lucky Ned Pepper and his gang that he will not give the road and expects to kill Ned or see him hanged in Fort Smith, which shall it be. Ned replies, “I call that bold talk from a one eyed fat man!” Rooster responds while taking the reins in his teeth and drawing his rifle and pistol “fill your hands you son of a bitch!”

-  Rooster upon first meeting Mattie’s vaunted lawyer, J. Nobel Daggert “I’ll be damned! Well you’re not exactly what we expected. You’re a little uh, you shrunk!”

-  At the movie’s end, just before leaving Mattie at her ranch, Rooster is bragging about his new horse who is able to jump a four railed fence. Mattie tells him that he is too old and too fat to be jumping horses. As Rooster jumps over Mattie’s fence he yells to her “Well come to see a fat old man some time!!”

I hope you enjoyed the quotes. If you get a chance why don’t you see both movies and let me know what you think.

Fatwayne