“Every man should have a little taste of power before he’s through.” —Nathan Burdette
Today’s quick review: Rio Bravo. When Sheriff John T. Chance (John Wayne) arrests Joe Burdette (Claude Akins) for murder, he earns the wrath of Nathan (John Russell), Joe’s powerful brother. Now Chance must prevent Nathan’s hired guns from breaking Joe out of jail, with only his deputies Dude (Dean Martin) and Stumpy (Walter Brennan) for help. Meanwhile, Feathers (Angie Dickinson), a troublesome gambler, arrives in town and butts heads with Chance.
Rio Bravo is a classic Western drama starring John Wayne. Outnumbered and outgunned, the sheriff and deputies of a remote Texas town have to guard a well-connected prisoner until the marshal arrives. Rio Bravo does a skillful job of setting up its characters and its conflicts. From the cold-blooded murder that kicks off the plot to the explosive shootout that ends it, Rio Bravo is a carefully orchestrated story with plenty to offer.
Much of Rio Bravo’s depth comes from the way its characters interact. Although Chance and his deputies are nominally on the same side, they have their own failings that cause them trouble throughout the film. Chance is a proud and protective man who refuses offers of help. Dude is a recoverng drunk who still doesn’t trust his gun hand. And while Stumpy mainly serves as comic relief, he provides Chance and Dude with some much-needed support.
The way the plot unfolds has everything to do with its characters and their choices. Chance’s refusal to let Joe go puts him in the crosshairs, while Dude’s ongoing battle with the bottle puts him in danger on more than one occasion. Meanwhile, Colorado Ryan (Ricky Nelson), an outsider with a quick trigger finger, weights the risks of getting involved. Rio Bravo’s setup is fairly generic, but the complicated way it plays out sets the film apart.
Rio Bravo is a strong pick for fans of the Western genre. It blends familiar plot threads and character types with careful presentation and a story that take on a life of its own. The result is one of the better iterations on a particular type of Western story: that of justice enduring against long odds. Steer clear if you are looking for grey morality or prefer a more modern style of storytelling and action.
For a somewhat more comedic John Wayne Western with a similar story, try El Dorado. For another Western drama about law enforcement in a dangerous town, try Tombstone, Hour of the Gun, or Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
[8.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053221/). I give it a 7.5 for solid character work and effective tension throughout.