Red River

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Red River

1948

2h 13m

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Headstrong Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) starts a thriving Texas cattle ranch with the help of his faithful trail hand, Groot (Walter Brennan), and his protégé, Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift), an orphan Dunson took under his wing when Matt was a boy. In need of money following the Civil War, Dunson and Matt lead a cattle drive to Missouri, where they will get a better price than locally, but the crotchety older man and his willful young partner begin to butt heads on the exhausting journey.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Jun 20, 2019

Red River contains everything a western should have and throws in a few things more.

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James Agee

TIME Magazine

Feb 27, 2018

It is a rattling good outdoor adventure movie.

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Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

Jun 2, 2014

5/5

Hawks directs the film with his typical assurance and seeming lack of fuss, letting scenes play out in long takes, and framing the action against vistas that often dwarf the actors.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 31, 2026

4/4

Director Howard Hawks’ magnificent movie features a performance by John Wayne that’s so remarkable, it led to John Ford (who had already directed the star in several films) cracking, "I never knew the son of a bitch could act!"

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Feb 4, 2023

The opposition of acting styles is electric: laconic elder statesman [John] Wayne wearing his character like buckskin, dominating the screen as upstart method actor [Montgomery] Clift’s intensity burns a star right next to him.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 24, 2022

4/5

“Red River” stakes its claim as a true classic of the Western genre.

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 15, 2026

one of the best westerns ever made. a cattle drive.

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J H

@JLHIII May 8, 2026

One of the best westerns ever

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Kim P

@RT98672688 Nov 1, 2025

The movie is exceptional but what's most interesting is Wayne's character isn't particularly likable and didn't fit his carefully curated image. One of his best Westerns and at the very least, in the top 20 Westerns of all time.

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Dallas H

@RT53171010 Jul 21, 2025

It is with old-school Western movies like this one that I enjoy the genre. Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan are doing what they can to keep the genre going, bless their heart.

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Insomniac X

@RT03001349 Mar 21, 2025

Epic, immersive tale of a long and desperate cattle drive. Howard Hawks skillfully uses the story's human drama to explore themes of perseverance, leadership, and family bonds, as isolation and adversity test the men's grit and character. John Wayne's rugged Texas rancher evokes Captain Ahab as he obsessively and tyrannically pursues his goal. Montgomery Clift is effortlessly charismatic as his young protege, while Joanne Dru adds dimension to the story as the tough-talking Hawksian love interest.

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David F

@dfulmer Mar 16, 2025

This is considered a great Western and it has John Wayne and plenty of cattle to show for it.

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Howard Hawks

Director

John Wayne

Thomas Dunson

Montgomery Clift

Matt Garth

Walter Brennan

Groot Nadine

Joanne Dru

Tess Millay

Coleen Gray

Fen

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Synopsis

Headstrong Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) starts a thriving Texas cattle ranch with the help of his faithful trail hand, Groot (Walter Brennan), and his protégé, Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift), an orphan Dunson took under his wing when Matt was a boy. In need of money following the Civil War, Dunson and Matt lead a cattle drive to Missouri, where they will get a better price than locally, but the crotchety older man and his willful young partner begin to butt heads on the exhausting journey.

Director: Howard Hawks
Producer: Howard Hawks
Screenwriter: Borden Chase, Charles Schnee
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists
Production Co: Monterey Productions
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 30, 1948, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 11, 2010
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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