097: Rustlers’ Roundup — True Grit (1969)

Howdy partners, it’s been a while since we last met up on our Western trail. Why not saddle up again and join Jeff The Kid, Itchy Trigger Finger Graham and Snake Eyes Neil? We are going to ride along and jaw about True Grit.

At the Flicks · 098: Rustlers' Roundup – True Grit (1969)

The version we are discussing is the 1969 version for which John Wayne won the Best Actor Oscar. Indeed, his performance as the mean no nonsense lawman who likes to bend an elbow has been a role model for our Jeff all his life.

True Grit came out just a year after the release of Charles Portis’ original novel and became one of the top ten highest grossing films of 1969.

We look at why it was successful, what is it about the movie that appeals to your At The Flicks team and why it still retains such a high reputation today. What you may find surprising, as we did, is how troubled the production was. Some of the original casting choices walked before filming started, or asked for so much money the budget couldn’t accommodate their request. Then there were the on set arguments and the refusal of some stars to work with director Henry Hathaway ever again. All this detail and more can be found here.

As an added bonus, we talk about the real life inspiration for Rooster Cogburn and below you will find a link to an old silent movie called The Bank Robbery in which he appears. So, stop being a coffee boiler (yes Neil that means you) and ride along for this rip roaring adventure. We enjoyed making it and hope you enjoying listening to it.

Let us know and we may let you ride the trail with us for future episodes of Rustlers’ Roundup.

See you next time amigos.