True Grit (1969)

True Grit (1969) is a lean, rough-edged western adventure about justice, reckoning and unlikely partnerships. Set in 1880 and driven by a fierce teenage narrator, it follows 14‑year‑old Mattie Ross as she hires the hard‑drinking, one‑eyed U.S. Marshal Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn to track down Tom Chaney, the man who murdered her father and fled into Indian Territory. They’re joined by the smooth, self‑important Texas Ranger La Boeuf, and the trio’s pursuit turns into a test of courage and stubbornness across dangerous frontier country. Watching the film you’ll get a mix of blunt, sometimes dark humor and stark, physical action: brisk gunfights, a memorable hanging sequence early on, tense tracking scenes through rough terrain, and moments of quiet tension that reveal character more than spectacle. The story is as much about Mattie’s moral certainty and coming of age as it is about catching a killer — her rigid sense of justice clashes with Rooster’s pragmatic, violent methods, creating emotional friction and surprising tenderness. Visually and tonally the movie delivers classic western elements — dusty plains, rugged outlaws, and frontier lawlessness — paired with strong performances (notably John Wayne’s Oscar‑winning turn as Rooster) and a spare, evocative score. Expect a compact, character‑driven ride: mixture of action and drama, weathered humor, and an exploration of grit, honor and the cost of vengeance that lingers after the chase ends.

Actors: John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell

Director: Henry Hathaway

Runtime: 128 min

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Western

7.1 /10 83 /100 7.4 /10 7.6 /10