El Dorado
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Movie Reviews of El Dorado
Movie Review: Very entertaining 1967 Wayne Western with James Caan
Summary: 4 Stars
Released in 1967, Howard Hawks' "El Dorado" is an obvious reworking of his 1959 "Rio Bravo", both starring John Wayne. Although "El Dorado" reworks some of the ideas introduced in "Rio Bravo" it is not a remake, as some claim.
The similarities are undeniable: Both films were shot in Old Tucson, Arizona; both feature the same four general protagonists with John Wayne in the starring role (although he's not the Sheriff in this one); both involve the four protagonists staving off owlhoots intent on freeing a prisoner from the town jail; and both feature a beautiful saloon-type female. Other than that these are different stories altogether with different characters.
Of the two I prefer "El Dorado." It has more story -- that is, it's more eventful -- and it's more accessible to the average viewer. "Rio Bravo", by contrast, is a very unique cult Western; it has its own special vibe and the viewer has to adjust to truly appreciate it. Plus "Rio Bravo is (naturally) more dated compared to "El Dorado." It seems like Hawks learned a thing or two from the less traditional Westerns put out in the 60s starting with Brando's outstanding "One-Eyed Jacks" in 1961, the obvious precursor to the spaghetti Western.
POSITIVES:
- "El Dorado" features a really good old Western tune during the opening credits, unlike cringe-inducing title-songs such as "North to Alaska" (which was a great movie, just that it featured a bad opening tune).
- Although "El Dorado" primarily takes place in the titular town (Old Tucson) there are quite a number of scenes that take place elsewhere, unlike "Rio Bravo" where the entire story takes place in the town.
- Robert Mitchum is better than Dean Martin as the drunkard; maybe because acting was his primary profession, unlike Martin.
- James Caan (father of Scott Caan) is way better than Ricky Nelson as the younger sidekick/deputy. Caan has a likable charisma whereas Nelson was okay but overall bland. Like the Mitchum/Martin comparison this may be due to the fact that Caan is an actor by profession rather than a singer trying to act.
- Charlene Holt is superior to Angie Dickinson. They both have revealing boudoir scenes; compare for yourself. Yet on a purely dispositional level Charlene is simply more winsome and charming.
- "El Dorado" has two prominant babes while "Rio Bravo" only had one. Michele Carey stands out as the rancher's shapely daughter Joey.
- There's great camaraderie between the main protagonists, particularly Wayne & Caan and Wayne & Mitchum.
NEGATIVES:
- The first half is better than the second half where the story settles down to events at the Sheriff's office/jail.
- In the second half the characters come off more cartooney & stagey than real at times. This was a flaw that was being worked out of the Western in the 60s as verified by more reality-based films like "One-Eyed Jacks" and "Duel at Diablo." This flaw was largely removed from Hawks' last reworking of "Rio Bravo", 1970's "Rio Lobo", but not completely purged.
- There's some real eye-rolling dialogue between Cole Thorton (Wayne) and the main gunslinger on the other side played by Christopher George. They talk about the four (or so) fastest quick draws in the West and wonder who's faster between the two of them. Very juvenile & cartooney and, needless to say, totally unrealistic.
FINAL WORD: "El Dorado" is a very entertaining John Wayne Western. It has that special 'something' that makes it click, which is why it's a fan favorite. It took the basic ideas of "Rio Bravo" and made a better Western, at least that's my opinion (although I still appretiate "Rio Bravo" and respect it as the original, of course). Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt and Michele Carey are exceptional co-stars, more effective than their counterparts in "Rio Bravo."
GRADE: B
Movie Review: An Awesome, action-packed, Western!
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, let me start by saying that, contrary to the popular belief here, El Dorado is definitely NOT a remake of Rio Bravo (Two-Disc Special Edition). Yes, there are a similar themes that run through both: A drunken lawman, holding up in the jailhouse waiting for the U.S. Marshall, a sexy love interest, and a crusty old deputy to name a few. Howard Hawkes, who directed both films, was fond of saying how much he liked to steal from himself. But the plots are completely different. A perfect example of a remake is the 1957 film 3:10 to Yuma (Special Edition), starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. In 2007 a remake of the film (3:10 to Yuma (Widescreen Edition)), starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe was released. Same characters, same exact plot. Only the sequence and action was updated. That is a remake. In Rio Bravo the Sheriff is holding the brother of a rich rancher for murder and the story takes us through how the rancher tries to free his brother at any cost. In El Dorado, based on the Book The Stars in Their Courses by Harry Brown, the main plot revolves around a range war between two ranchers, the tough but fair Kevin MacDonald (R.G. Armstrong) and the land-grabbing Bart Jason (Ed Asner). This is not a remake.
John Wayne plays Cole Thornton, a hired gun whom Jason is trying to hire to help drive MacDonald off his ranch so that Jason can steal the water rights. What Jason doesn't know is that Thornton is an old friend to the local sheriff, J.P. Hara, played by Robert Mitchum. Of course, Thornton turns down the job. But unknown to him, MacDonald has been mistakenly warned that Thornton was working for Jason, which leads to Thornton accidentally killing one of MacDonald's sons, Luke (Johnny Crawford of The Rifleman Fame) and then getting shot by a MacDonald daughter (Michele Carey). The killing of Luke haunts Thornton to the point where he feels he owes the MacDonalds but can't face them, leading him to leave. This all happens in the first 15 minutes of the film and sets up the rest perfectly.
As the story progresses we meet "Mississippi" (a young James Caan), a man who had spent two years chasing down a group of cowboys who murdered his friend. Christopher George plays Nelse McLeod, a gunman with an interesting sense of fairness who joins Jason. And we find out that after Thornton left El Dorado his pal Hara turned into a drunk because of a "wandering petticoat." It's up to Thornton, Mississippi, and Hara's deputy "Bull" (played wonderfully by character actor Arthur Hunnicutt) to put Hara back together before McLeod can take advantage of the situation. What follows is some of the best gunfights that a mid-1960's western could produce.
Throughout the film we're treated to great action, wonderful lines (Bull's "Well I'd be a suck-egged mule" is still one of my favorites), a bit of comedy relief here and there, and some good-ole fashion sex-appeal coming from Charlene Holt and Michele Carey. Just what every guy back in the 60's loved about going to see a John Wayne Western at a Saturday matinee.
I would highly recommend this to any John Wayne/Robert Mitchum/Western fan. Believe me, it will not disappoint.
Movie Review: Not a Hawkes masterpiece but it has its moments
Summary: 4 Stars
From time to time I've revisited this movie. Entertaining it is.
"El Dorado" has its hokey moments, James Caan going on and on about "ride boldly ride" in a poem about El Dorado, Maudie (John Wayne's love interest) taking up where numerous women in Wayne's movies have left off: "I'm not going to cry. I'm just going to buy a pine box, about 6-foot for you" and then the requisite speech about how men are dumb for fighting and women are saintly for waiting valiently for their men to come back home, blah, blah blah.
It has has a geezer sidekick (Arthur Honeycutt)who mimics Walter Brennen from "Rio Bravo," James Caan who mimics Ricky Nelson from "Rio Bravo" and Mitchum who mimics Dean Martin from "Rio Bravo" and, finally, Charlene Holt, who mimics Angie Dickinson in "Rio Bravo." See the pattern? "Rio Bravo" and "El Dorado" are essentially the same movie. A sheriff, his sidekick and John Wayne, his sidekick and his girlfriend. Formulaic.
Nonetheless, there is a good movie in here.
There are elements of Wild Woolly Westerns here.
Christopher George plays the bad guy gunslinger who nonetheless warms up to John Wayne's Cole Thornton and SPOILER ALERT! gets it in the end.
But there is a scene that is gold: George and his band of bad men walk into the bar to see the other bad guy/rancher Edward Asner.
As they walk in, tinkly piano music plays and they swagger in. It's straight out of a 1920s shoot-em-up.
It's not a work of art. But it will entertain. It will grow on you with subsequent showings.
John Wayne is the ultimate John Wayne with his John Waynisms. Mitchum is pretty much a bystander and goes through the motions.
All in all, entertaining and a poem to formula Cowboy movies.
Movie Review: My favorite Western, but there are flaws
Summary: 4 Stars
Like the other reviewer said, I can't put my finger exactly on why this is not just my favorite Western but one of my favorite movies. I think it's because the actors are so obviously having a good time with the characters they portray. That, and the script is just plain engaging. The characters bounce wisecracks off each other throughout the movie, which provides a lot of good humor and gives the movie an easy "buddy" feel that you get from movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The story is simple, but there are twists to the white hats vs. black hats routine that keep the viewer wondering how it will all wind up. The cinematography is also good...I find myself looking at the colors and lighted areas in the nighttime scenes because it is so warm-looking. There are some flaws...for example, John Wayne's character is stricken by occasional paralysis when a bullet in his back "presses against something." This happens a couple of times in the movie, yet James Caan's character asks,"What is it, Cole?" when it happens for the second time, well after it has all been explained to him. That aside, and some other things too, I love this movie. If you want a John Wayne movie that is a good story with no axes to grind, a movie that shows him at his best, and one with an excellent supporting cast, then this is the one. Even my wife liked it, and she is not a John Wayne fan. This movie is simply my favorite. I have watched this movie since I was a kid in the 70s. I own a VHS copy, and the first movie I'll buy when I upgrade to DVD will be El Dorado.Movie Review: Quintessential John Wayne
Summary: 4 Stars
If you like John Wayne and the classic western genre, you'll love this film. The cast is wonderful: John Wayne and Robert Mitchum (old friends and nemesis), James Caan (what a kid!), Ed Asner, and Christopher George.
Wayne and Mitchum are a little long in the tooth and there is talk of settling down, but there are scores to settle and justice to enforce first.
Near the end of the movie is a faux pas regarding crutches. Both the heroes are using crutches by this time and Mitchum mistakenly changes the side he's using. John Wayne picks up on the oversight and quips to Mitchum in an ad-lib ( I believe) that is very clever.
John Wayne is thoroughly the "Duke" here - his swagger, tough talk, hard-bitten quips, and ironic surprise at everything that happens. I don't recall him being as "Himself" as he is in this movie.
There are many comic moments amid the classic tale of hired guns, good versus evil, fights over water rights, and "top hand" winning the girl. All in all, a delightful film well worth watching.