This is ostensibly John Wayne's film, as he's the star, but the film's main character is really Dean Martin's drunken ex-deputy. His efforts to regain his pride and lost standing, both in his own mind and in the eyes of his friend (Wayne) make up the backbone of the story. Dean Martin, who was never taken seriously as an actor, here gives a terrific performance. His sweaty, humiliated 'Dude' is touching without ever being sentimental. Dude's eventual redemption, when he pursues a wounded gun-man into a bar crowded with men who'd previously laughed at him, is thrilling.

The film nicely undermines Wayne's iconic masculinity. In several scenes, the sheriff finds himself gently mocked by Angie Dickinson's attractive gambler (the one person in the film he can't get the better of). It's also the only film I can think of in which John Wayne kisses another man (a slight peck on the top of Walter Brennan's bald head).

The Best Western Ever? probably.....
Review date: 2005-01-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film is usually regarded along with The Searchers and Red River as the pinnacle of film in the Western genre.The combination of Howard Hawks, John Wayne and Dean Martin lift this way above all others.
The interplay between Wayne and Martin is very good. But the exchanges between Wayne and Angie Dickinson really stand out as being very risque considering this was made in the late fifties.
It is quite long but this is in its favour as the story and characters are given time to develop. Both Unforgiven and Open Range owe a lot to this film.

Rio Bravo
Review date: 2004-11-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

Fantastic western in which the great John Wayne plays a stubborn sheriff, who arrests a local outlaw for a brutal murder, only the outlaw's brother happens to be a very powerful rancher. Determined to free his brother he employs a group of gunslingers to surround the town to prevent John Wayne's sheriff, John T Chance getting his prisoner out of town and stopping him getting help in. Chance's only help then comes from a drunk (Dean Martin), a crooked old man (Walter Brennan) and a rookie gunfighter (Ricky Nelson). This is suerly amongst the bets westerns you are ever lickley to see. Also starring Ward Bond and Angie Dickinson. Brilliant!

What Else
Review date: 2004-07-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

It is the original of the genre (good guys in Sheriff's office versus bad blokes outside) The tension, unlikely alliances and gun fights (check out gun to Wayne from Nelson whilst Nelson shoots) have all the classic western traits -against all odds. Super

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