Rio Grande

Rio Grande (film, 1950)

A John Wayne film that I hadn't seen before! He does look a lot younger than in some of his films, but I didn't realise how old this one was! It held up well, and was a good experience because of the entertaining characters, pretty good action scenes, and the songs that are sung. Usually I don't like songs in films, but these ones, sung out in the wilderness or the evening had a reality to them. And this isn't an action film really. Not a lot in this way happens, it's mostly Wayne having to deal with his son who he hasn't seen in 15 years and who has hastily enlisted, and his Mother that comes to get him back.

Wayne and his wife haven't spoken for so long because he was ordered to burn down her plantation for the war effort, but as things pan out, and with the long time passed, they grow close again, and the boy acquits himself well. There's a mission to rescue some captured children from the Injuns, but the high point came early on where some of the recruits show their horse-riding skills by going Roman and standing astride two beasts at once! Thrilling to see.

***