Rio Lobo [DVD]

The third film (1971) in a trilogy directed by Howard Hawks, varying the idea of a sheriff defending his office against belligerent outlaw elements in the town: the other two films were Rio Bravo (1959) and El Dorado (1966), both also starring John Wayne (Wikipdedia). Hawks' last film of 47 (sic), among which Sergeant York, To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep, Red River, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.Rio Lobo is a praiseworthy last work of a great director; it is also better than its predecessors in the trilogy. Starts in the last days of the American Civil War (1861-65). Wayne, still quite youthful and far away from his last films with an oxygen tent nearby, starts as a Cavalry Colonel, who has a Union payroll train under his command. Despite all precautions, he train falls to the Confederates - clearly by a Union traitor in collaboration with some Confederate officers.Well, Wayne is angry and morally annoyed, and swears to catch the gangsters: This is a case of treason, not war! His tracing leads him to the town of Rio Lobo, where, after many complications and the help of a number of younger women living in the area on their own - this is late horse only time, as railways have moved in, and also a late men only West - he achieves his target. The emancipation element, by the way, thanks to Hawks' discipline, is treated as a matter of fact (and is hence more impressive, though some female acting is a bit bouncy), and we are also spared sloganeering on the subject.Acting, camera &c all ok. Five stars, even today, forty years later.

It's a great film

Another classic John Wayne which I find thoroughly enjoyable and a firm favourite of mine. The storyline is good though it can be considered to be a reformatting of another storyline which just changes the characters around and offers another angle to the story. Still it is a good film.

Liked it very much

How can I say anything bad about the Duke? This movie from the Howard Hawks stable is the classic John Wayne effort. Ex-army Wayne goes to the rescue of a small town run by crooked lawmen.Perhaps not as good as some of his other movies, it is nevertheless not a disappointment. The Duke is as hard-drinking and hard-hitting as always and is ably assisted by a first class Jack Elam and Jorge Rivero.I withheld the fifth star, because I could not tell the girls apart and thought one would have been adequate. They were so perfectly groomed with modern eye makeup, they were totally out of place in a one-horse-town.The opening scene of a train robbery, I thought was particularly clever.Whilst the Cavalry was absolutely immaculate, the Rebels were a disreputable mess but bubbling over with enthusiasm. As always, I was rooting for the South.Was the director by any chance a Yankie?Fans of the great man will not want to miss this one.A very good film.

True American legend never dies on screen

The film is fine, the only problem is that the DVD supplied is badly scratched and full mof finger marks redering it unplayable

Classic film

dvd conforme a ma commande

Ein guter alter Western. Kindheitserinnerungen...

Um clássico que se (re)vê sempre com prazer.

rio lobo mi a soddisfatto molto bene grande John weyne come al solito. au iodio video suoni sono perfetti io lo consiglio

With a prompt delivery, I saw it that evening and was surprised that such a classic movie had such details.