Western,Action
United States of America
Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) is a stubborn and determined man who, after losing his family in a Comanche raid, sets out to create a cattle empire in Texas. With the help of his loyal friend Groot (Walter Brennan) and a young orphan named Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift), Dunson successfully builds a thriving ranch.
But after the Civil War, the market for cattle drops and Dunson is forced to take a risky and dangerous journey to Missouri to sell his cattle at a higher price. The drive is grueling and difficult, with both man and beast suffering along the way.
As the days pass, tension builds between Dunson and Matt. Dunson is a rigid and inflexible leader, who believes in a harsh system of punishment for any mistakes made by his men. Matt, on the other hand, believes in leading by example and treating his men with respect.
Their disagreement comes to a head when Dunson decides to abandon the weaker cattle in order to speed up the drive. Matt, appalled by Dunson's callousness, takes a stand and leaves the drive, taking a group of men with him.
Dunson, now alone with Groot, continues on with the remaining cattle. But when they finally arrive in Missouri, Dunson learns that Matt and his group have beaten him to the market, and are selling their cattle at an even higher price than he had hoped for.
Dunson confronts Matt, and it becomes clear that both men have a deep respect and admiration for each other. They reconcile and decide to split the profits of the drive, with Dunson handing over the reins of the ranch to Matt.
Red River is a powerful and gripping Western, with excellent performances from its cast. John Wayne's portrayal of Dunson is one of his best, and Montgomery Clift shines as the young protégé who must find his own path in life. The film is a classic tale of the passing of the Old West and the rise of a new, more compassionate era.
