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John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, Jeremy Slate, Robert Duvall ... see more see more... , Dennis Hopper , Alfred Ryder , Strother Martin , Jeff Corey , Ron Soble , James Westerfield , John Doucette , Donald Woods , Edith Atwater , Carlos Rivas , Isabel Boniface , John M. Pickard , Elizabeth Harrower , Ken Renard , Jay Ripley , Ken Becker , Myron Healey , Boyd 'Red' Morgan , Connie Sawyer , Jay Silverheels , Guy Wilkerson , Hank Worden , John Fiedler , H.W. Gim

In fine Hollywood tradition, John Wayne had to play a "one-eyed fat man" before the Motion Picture Academy considered him worthy of an Oscar. In True Grit, Wayne plays grumpy, pot-bellied U.S. marshal... read more read more... "Rooster" Cogburn, hired by 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) to find Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey), who killed her father. The headstrong Mattie could have had her pick of lawmen, but selects the aging Cogburn because she believes he has "true grit" (she talks this way all through the picture, so be prepared). Also heading into Indian territory in search of Chaney is Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), who wants to collect the reward placed on the fugitive's head for his earlier crimes. Complicating matters are Chaney's scurrilous cronies Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall), Quincy (Jeremy Slate), and Moon (Dennis Hopper), who have no qualms about killing a troublesome teenaged girl like Mattie. While the plot of True Grit, adapted (and streamlined) by Marguerite Roberts from the novel by Charles Portis, maintains audience interest throughout, the glue that truly holds this Western together is John Wayne, delivering one of his finest performances (though some believe he was better in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon). Wayne's casual charisma is infinitely more effective than the mannered method acting of Kim Darby and the floundering non-acting of poor Glen Campbell. And who could not love the climatic face-off between Duvall and company and John Wayne, whose "Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!" is not only a classic bit of dialogue, but the apotheosis of the Wayne mystique. In 1975, Wayne repeated his True Grit characterization opposite Katharine Hepburn in Rooster Cogburn, but the film failed to match its predecessor and the overall effect was blunted. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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81% liked it

23,305 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

46 critics

G, 2 hr. 8 min.

Directed by: Henry Hathaway

Release Date: June 11, 1969

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DVD Release Date: March 21, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (1,467)

  • DreamExtractor
    August 29, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    True Grit is a masterpiece and is one of the greatest westerns in film history. John Wayne is a amazing actor, and in this he is probably the best person in the world who could play Rooster Cogburn. Kim Darby was my one problem with this film, she was annoying and boring and a ... read moreterrible actor to play Mattie Ross. The plot was fun and and a well made adaption from the book. Overall, a classic movie, and the funny thing is, this film is my fathers #1 favorite film ever made, he made me watch this, haha.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 18, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Having read the novel by Charles Portis and seeing the Coen Brothers version, and finally seeing this film, I thought that the original True Grit was a terrific and well acted Western film. This is actually the first film that I've seen with John Wayne in it. I have to say he is ... read moreterrific in his role of Rooster Cogburn. The Duke pulls off a flawless performance of Portis' ruthless U.S Marshall. He definitely deserved that Oscar. The film at times feels a tad silly and uneven, but fortunately, the actors and well written script keep this film afloat and in the process create a fun, entertaining film that is a well done adaptation and as far as the remake is concerned, both films had a different twist on Charles Portis classic novel, and both succeeded in having the essence of the novel. This film is a more cheerful version of True Grit, while the recent version is a darker, colder and meaner version. But both films are wonderful. John Wayne and Kim Darby have great chemistry on screen, although it has to be pointed out that Kim Darby in this film is supposed to play a 14 year old girl, but the actress is in her early 20's. I thought that was slightlky odd, I mean they should've gotten a 14 year to play a 14 year, right? If you've enjoyed the book and want to see the first version of True Grit, then this is a good film to watch. The film is like I said a tad more cheerful than the recent version. This version is a well adapted version nonetheless and is a must see for John Wayne fans and fans of the book.
  • moonrivers
    March 27, 2011
    moonrivers
    Altho the Duke's Oscar was actually one for lifetime achievement, that doesn't alter the fact that his gift was making those around him (and us) feel good and thereby look good. Herein a chase for a killer feels more like a summer day's picnic outing and is that a bad thing, to ... read moreenjoy watching a movie? The overly correct speech of the original literary work sounds stilted but yet adds to the fun (just like in the Coens Bros. version!)
  • MovieGeek13
    March 14, 2011
    MovieGeek13
    John Wayne's Academy Award winning performance is reason alone to watch True Grit. The award not only commemorates the Duke's great career as one of cinema's timeless icons, but it bids farewell to the traditional Western. In 1969, films were being reinvented by several directors... read more, and the Western genre was undergoing one of the biggest changes, some examples including Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch, and the spaghetti westerns pioneered by Clint Eastwood and Sergio Leone. A film like True Grit was the last of its kind.
    Unfortunately, I don't the film is particularly a masterpiece. Kim Darby's performance is way too cheerful for the audience to get a real sense of determination and ambition that she is supposed to have. Glen Campbell ruins the movie with his god-awful performance as LaBoeuf - he makes Keanu Reeves look like Marlon Brando. And many of the scenes are too slow and not particularly eventful.
    Not to mention the 2011 Coen Brothers remake is just so much better in every way, that it almost renders the film a forgotten swan song to the classic Western.
  • theylovealexis
    February 1, 2011
    theylovealexis
    Rough, fun and shows revenge in the old west. I loved it. It's my first John Wayne movie.. the first real western movie I've ever liked to be exact. Rooster Cogburn (john wayne) is rugged and sweet all at the same time. I can't wait to see the new one with Jeff Bridges, I don't k... read morenow if I'll like it as much.. but who knows, I may like it more. I do love me some Jeff Bridges.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    January 11, 2011
    LoughnerWasLucid
    You see, there are two La Boeufs. theres the La Boeuf who stars in transformers and uh... transformers 2. and then theres this guy who makes John Wayne look like a pussy. niiiiice.
  • jamers2011
    January 9, 2011
    jamers2011
    Classic western film! See this film for John Wayne's memorable role in which he won the Academy Award. Really good film! Can't wait to see the new one.
  • SirPant
    December 31, 2010
    SirPant
    The real genius behind True Grit is the brilliant script. The performances are very good, the direction, pace and music too but the script is killer. I can't wait for the brothers Coen to remake it, I believe they can improve on this already great film but can the Dude match the ... read moreDuke?
  • garyX
    December 31, 2010
    garyX
    A prim young woman enlists the aid of a crotchety old US marshal to track down the outlaw who killed her father. This characterful western from the old school has had a lot of plaudits, but to me it's not much different from many other of Wayne's outings. John Wayne plays John Wa... read moreyne yet again, and if you don't cotton to him this sure as spit ain't gonna change yer mind. The story is simple but the amusing bickering between Wayne and the hard-headed Kim Darby makes for some fun scenes, as does some great cameos from Strother Martin, Dennis Hopper and Robert Duvall. It seems a little overlong for what it is, Glen Campbell's character being a little irrelevant and everything after the great showdown seems rather superfluous but it's a good, solid old fashioned western that won't disappoint fans of The Duke. Besides, this is one of the few opportunities I have to actually look forward to a remake...
  • cosmo313
    December 30, 2010
    cosmo313
    This will sound or read like blasphemy to some, but the truth is is that this film is merely just good instead of being great or a classic. It is very entertaining, but it's mostly just fun and decently made fluff. I realize that Wayne got his one and onlyOscar for this film, and... read more, even though he is really good as Rooster Cogburn, the award was more of a sympathy Oscar or consolation prize for his getting snubbed in the past (for his much better roles), or it was given to him in recognition of his career as a whole.

    This is not a bad film, but it hasn't aged well, is quite cheesy, and is a tad overlong. The characters and the screenplay could have been fleshed out a lot more, but the other players besides Wayne aren't terrible, even though they don't match him. Campbell should have just stuck tosinging, and, even though Darby is kind of cute in an odd way, she's too old to convinclngly play a 14 year-old (she was 22 at the time of filming). Also, even though the scenery looks great, it does the film a disservice by obviously showing that it wasn't film where the story was supposed to be set.

    For all of my complaining, I do like the film, but I think it's just a bit overrated. It does look nbice and have some good humor and action though. Plus, "Fill your hands, you son of a bitch!" is one of the best and coolest lines ever spoken. Give this one a shot, but come to it with lowered expectations.

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Critic Reviews

December 1, 2010
TIME Magazine

By growing old disgracefully as the fat, swaggering Rooster Cogburn, Wayne proves he can act -- and solves his own senior-citizen problem in one master stroke. Full Review

Dave Kehr
December 1, 2010
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Somehow it comes off like a TV celebrity roast. Full Review

Variety Staff
March 19, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

It's mostly Wayne all the way. He towers over everything in the film. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

One of the glories of True Grit is that it recognizes Wayne's special presence. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

A marvelously rambling frontier fable packed with extraordinary incidents, amazing encounters, noble characters, and virtuous rewards. Full Review

Richard T. Jameson
May 1, 2011
Richard T. Jameson, Parallax View

If I had to pick only one True Grit movie to take to the proverbial desert island, it'd be Hathaway's, Wayne's, Ballard's and, while we're at it, Elmer Bernstein's... Full Review

Nick Schager
January 5, 2011
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Far too often for True Grit to quite overcome, [Wayne's] larger-than-life turn flirts with, if not outright topples into, self-parody. Full Review

Peter Canavese
December 30, 2010
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

The girl with the strength of a man, and the man with a sensitive heart (albeit under layers of crust). The calculated softening of Wayne's macho persona at long last won him the Oscar. [Blu-ray] Full Review

John J. Puccio
December 17, 2010
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...a good movie, just probably not the great one of memory. Full Review

December 1, 2010
Empire Magazine

Although some say Wayne's Oscar was given out of sympathy instead of his performance, he still acts well as the sheriff who's past his peak. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn: Them men wanted a decent burial, they should have got themselves killed in summer.
    • Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn: Fill your hands, you son-of-a-bitch!
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True Grit Trivia

  • The only film for which John Wayne ever won an Oscar.  Answer »
  • What John Wayne movie is the following quote from....Robert Duval states...."Thats pretty bold talk for a one-eyed fat man" and john Wayne answers with......"Well fill your hands you son of a bitch"  Answer »
  • Who is the young woman that play in true grit?  Answer »
  • TOM "Everything happens to me. Now I'm shot by a child." Which movie?  Answer »
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