1 Rooster Cogburn
This movie is a timeless classic. I never tire of watching it.
The wit and humor with adventure keeps your interest. I think John Wayne's preformance in this movie and
True Grit are his best by far. I would recommend these movies for any age.
2 Comparisons to True Grit
RC has more humor than TG (plus).TG had better production values than RC (plus).TG had more memorable villains than RC (plus).The murdered father angle worked a little better for Kim Darby in TG than Kate Hepburn in RC (Hepburn and Lormer, as her dad, look around the same age) (plus) BTW to the poster who claimed TG was Bob Duvall's first movie---wrong. He was previously in To Kill A Mockingbird in 1962.
3 John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn stand toe to toe
Sometimes a multitude of wrongs can come out right. Hollywood has a penchant for making sequels to successful films, so when John Wayne finally won an Oscar for his performance in "True Grit." Wayne played Rooster Cogburn, a fearless, one-eyed U.S. marshal who never knew a dry day in his life. Fortunately Hollywood waited six years before making this 1975 sequel. However, at that point they not only hired a novice screenwriter, actress Martha Hyer ("First Men in the Moon"), they let her rip off "The African Queen" and turn it into a western. Fortunately, they hired Katharine Hepburn to play opposite the Duke.
That is what "Rooster Cogburn" comes down to, the chance for John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn to do scenes together; it also explains why the film is also known as "Rooster Cogburn and the Lady." Hepburn plays Rose Sayer, no, wait, I mean Eula Goodnight, who is the daughter of a minister (Jon Lormer) instead of the brother of a missionary. The gospel is still being brought to the natives, except this time we are set in the Cascades of Oregon rather than the jungles of Africa. The bad guys are now a gang of thieves led by Breed (Anthony Zerbe) and Hawk (Richard Jordan), instead of Nazis, and this time they gun down the minister. So when Rooster comes along to track them down and bring them to his brand of justice, Eula insists on going along.
The plot is predictable in terms of the outcome and familiar when Kate and the Duke end up on the water. But there is fun to be had in these two standing toe to toe, but not jaw to jaw, and going at it. "To whom do you think you are speaking," she intones frostily. "You is to whom I think I am speaking, sister," he shoots back. She allows that he is bigger than she is, but only physically. He observes in this situation that should be enough and they continue to have great fun with the dialogue. Wayne has great fun hamming it up and Hepburn enjoys having an actor big enough to stand up to her assault.
The stories from the set were that the two great stars had great fun making this movie. Their politics were at opposite ends of the spectrum so they just avoid the topics and enjoyed being in each other's company. Wayne was playing a character he had done before in a movie, but then Hepburn's character is instantly recognizable as well, even if the name is different. The names do not matter. They can call them "Rooster Cogburn and the Lady," but it is the Duke and Kate, and their fans will not be disappointed by their time together.
4 Nearly as good as True Grit
While this film has more of a tv western feel to it than film #1 did it still totally clicks. It is, like True Grit, a bit of a true story as Judge Isaac Parker who appears in both did exist. Wayne and Hepburn have fine chemistry and the rest of the cast is faultless. Zerbe especially. Good, believable action too. I'm sorry but I feel I should point out an inconsistency or two with True Grit. Judge Parker is played by a different man here and his court room is small and doesn't call to mind the giant court room he had in the first film. Also, Chin Lee is a different guy here too. And the cat of Cogburn's,General Sterling Price, is still alive after all these years?
5 ausome
this movie is one of my favorates by my favorate actor John Wayne this sequal of the movie True GRIT IS BETTER BY A 3 ON A SCALE OF ONE TO 10 ALTHOUH YOU MAY LIKE TRUE GRIT BETTER BECAUSE ITS ROBER DUVALLS FIRST FILM I THINK AND JOHN WAYNE WON BEST ACTOR FOR IT
6 Two great actors and a good story
How can you beat two great actors and a great story?
John Wayne and Katie Hepburn, both mature and at the top of their form, and an interesting story with believable 'bad guys.'
This was pure entertainment, shot in the wilds of Oregon--my home state. I loved it!
Joseph (Joe) Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books
7 A Highly Enjoyable Western Romp With Two Of Hollywood's Best
This sequal to TRUE GRIT is, in many ways, superior. There's more humor, for starters. MUCH more. And we don't have to listen to that obnoxious little girl from the first movie whine and bicker! However, ROOSTER COGBURN is also inferior in other ways. The plot's a little harder to follow (at least for me), mainly because every single villain looks the exact same! Therefore, you quickly loose track of who's who, who was shot, or who lived, etc. Secondly, the film's way too short for a western; for me, a western should be at the very least two hours. But in the long run, the loss of the Mattie Ross from TRUE GRIT ("But it's mine and I want it!" Obnoxious!) wins over all the cons.
But the real reason to watch ROOSTER COGBURN is not for the plot (since it's nothing more than a retread of its predecessor), but to see John Wayne and Katherine Hepburn, two of the all-time greats, square off eachother and exchange witty insults! It's some of the most fun you'll ever have in front of a TV screen! Now, I've heard some people shun this movie for being nothing more than an attempt to overthrow THE AFRICAN QUEEN. Well, let me tell you something, bub: that film was among the most boring I've ever seen! Meanwhile, ROOSTER COGBURN is loaded with action and thrills. I strongly feel that this is a far better film than John Huston's 1950 movie.
Unfortunately, while the DVD is widescreen format, the picture and sound aren't all that great, especially during the first ten minutes or so (blotches and scratches galore). I was on the verge of turning it off, but don't worry, it gets much better. All it has for special features are production notes (which are fairly interesting), a theatrical trailer, and cast & crew bios. Not what you'd call a jam-packed DVD...
CONCLUSION: It ain't great on plot or characterization, but ROOSTER COGBURN is one helluva good time for any Wayne and/or Hepburn fan!
8 A sequel that defies conventional wisdom
I actually prefer this movie to the first appearance of Wayne as Cogburn, "True Grit," even though he got the Oscar for that while this one seems to have sunk with hardly a critical trace. A sort of Western remake of "The African Queen" (complete with Katie Hepburn as a strait-laced spinster), with murderous outlaws taking the place of the Nazis, it finds Rooster unwillingly joining up with missionary's daughter Eula Goodnight ("Sister," as he calls her) to catch her father's murderers, who happen to be the same gang of ordnance-hijackers he was sent out from Fort Smith to apprehend. Though played much more for laughs than its predecessor (here, as in "McLintock" and "Donovan's Reef," Wayne clearly displays an unmistakeable gift for comedy), it's not without either headlong action, taut suspense, or sexual tension. Admittedly I'm not sure there are any river gorges like these in the *real* (former) Indian Territory, but who cares when the scenery is so breathtaking? And there's a definite advantage to starting a script from scratch rather than trying to translate Charles Portis's probably-authentic but somehow not-quite-flavorful-enough dialogue to film. While I never bothered to add "True Grit" to my permanent collection, this sequel is definitely a part of it.
9 WAYNE'S BEST ACTING.
Wayne is ruthlessly overlooked for this one, a heartache similar to the fate of The Big Lebowski. Its one of those sad mysteries of life; one of the truly great, last, and forgotten westerns. If you read enough Leonard Maltlin, you really start to wonder if he was raised by Quakers. Rooster Cogburn is a fast-paced actioner with accessible, beautifully embellished characters. Its not best picture material the way The Outlaw Josey Wales couldnt have been---not enough "morality" spoon-fed in even bites.
Hearing Wayne say,(in an overlooked line by most, I'll bet)"Don't worry son, they'll pay for it," brings tears to my eyes. It throws me back to my childhood memory of what Wayne represented: There's good guys out there you just don't want to mess with. Wayne fuses all his elements to create this masculine, wise, clever, experienced, tenacious, hard dinking, yet respected federal lawman like none ever seen. This time he's got a real director to back him up.
There are incredible lines, as funny as they are character-building:
SCENE:
(Wayne and Hepburn, recently stealing their supplies, are surrounded at night by Jordan, Zerbe and the rest of the bad guys/murderous white trash.)
Richard Jordan, as HAWK:(YELLING) "You may have the gatlin' gun, but you ain't got the know-how to use it!"
Wayne: (to Hepburn) "Deputy,... show-em'"
(Hepburn cranks the gatlin-gun, scattering their startled enemies in the dark, causing destruction. stops.)
Wayne: (with a fierce grin, hilariously sarcastic, yelling)
"AAAIIIN'T THAT THE WAY IT WORKS, HAWK!?!?!?!?!"
10 Quite a movie
John Wayne shines once again as Rooster Cogburn but Katherine Hepburn provides the polish.
This movie is often refered to as John Wayne meets the African Queen. I disagree. The interaction between Wayne & Hepburn is the foundation of the movie, but I think the chemistry and clash between Hawk & Breed (Richard Jordan & Anthony Zerbe)is almost as interesting. Jordan & Zerbe are two character actors who are often overlooked.
I liked the character of Hawk. I always thought He would make an adult version of him would make a good character in a western series if they ever came back. Strother Martin is a pleasure (as always) in a bit role as well.
Hepburn & Wayne work well together, Hepburn is a different type of foil than O'Hara, of course the relative ages of the characters and the actors call for a more verbial and less sexual tension. Of course if it was O'Hara then she would have shot her father's killer herself.
This movie is a sip of aged wine, one of the last movies Wayne appeared in. Enjoy the flavor
11 Funny western as well as a action-packed one
"Rooster Cogburn" is one of the best westerns ever made. It has a lot of funny parts, and a lot of action. However, Maltin says that this is a dull western. He's wrong. If he'd only concentrated on the movie. Well, wether he thinks this is a bad movie or not, I HIGHLY reccomend this to any Wayne fan.
12 #1 Western
Rooster Cogburn is the absolute best western ever made. I personally think it is Wayne's greatest work. It moves along much more quickly than its predecessor, True Grit, and I have found Rooster to be a movie I can watch over and over again.
Storyline is incredible, and the scenery is magnificent. I do agree, however, that mature audiences will like it better... But the "official" reviewer above is clearly one of those who is not a Wayne fan. Watch the film for yourself, you will NOT be disappointed!!!
13 Very enjoyable
While not as good as "True Grit," this film is still a very entertaining outing by a wonderful cast of excellent actors, shot on location in the wilds of Oregon. Wayne and Hepburn are great, and the supporting players contribute heavily, with special notice to Richard Jordan and Anthony Zerbe. The script sparkles with lively interplay between the prim New Englander Eula and the earthy Rooster. A film likely to be more fully appreciated and enjoyed by mature viewers. Highly recommended.
14 Wasted Plot??/ A very poor critic.
How were John Wayne and Katherine Hepburn wasted superstars in this movie? How is an old Marshall trying to prove his worth a dull plot? What an absurd review. Watch the movie. It is a touching story with an excellent supporting female character!
15 Dull plot, wasted superstars
What a tragedy that Hollywood was able to unite two of the powerhouse superstars of cinema in one movie, but then saddle them with a plodding, boring and utterly pedestrian script. The chemistry between Wayne and Kate Hepburn is palpable and their scenes together are a joy to watch. But there are too few of such scenes to justify repeated viewings or to classify this movie as anything but average and a spent opportunity.
Hepburn is miscast as a crotchety, virginal spinster who pines in her heart for the Duke, but is too repressed to act on her instincts. The Duke's reprisal of Rooster Cogburn is interesting, and he delivers an excellent performance, but the script fails him time and again. Ultimately it's frustrating to watch two great stars wallow in this banal plot. One interesting element in the DVD version is the gorgeous Rogue river scenery which seems to come to life in this format.
16 Better on DVD
I have enjoyed this movie every time I have seen it. But only the DVD version gives the true beauty of the Rogue River region with spectacular panaramas of the river gorge and the mountains. The story starts off with aging marshal Rooster returning with 4 men draped over their saddles. The Judge reprimands Rooster for being trigger- happy and takes his badge. The next morning, after a military shipment of nitro glycerine and a Gatling gun are stolen, the Judge gives Rooster his badge back and sends him after the thieves. Charging him to "Bring them back ALIVE". The adventure begins!
17 Ole Rooster lacks true grit second time around
The "one-eyed fat man" Rooster Cogburn is arguably John Wayne's best performance. It (from the movie True Grit) netted The Duke his only Oscar. However, the sequel Rooster Cogburn lacks the style and pinache of True Grit. This time out, Cogburn is on the trail of gunrunners who have stolen a Gatling gun and, in the process, have murdered Katherine Hepburn's father. Finding Hepburn gives this movie a pulse. Otherwise, it rambles aimlessly. The villians, or lack thereof, are another major defect in Rooster Cogburn. Unlike Robert Duval's ballsy Ned Pepper in True Grit, Richard Jordan's Brooklyn-tinged bark is much more annoying than his bite. And the rest of his gang is easy-pickins for The Duke. Luckily Hepburn's and Wayne's tit-for-tat antics keep Rooster Cogburn watchable. Otherwise, ole Rooster lacks the true grit that won him an Oscar the first time around.
18 One of John Wayne's BEST!
This is probably my all-time favrite of The Duke's movies. I watch this one constantly.
