Rio Lobo (1970)

Directed by Howard Hawks. Starring John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O’Neill, Jack Elam, Christopher Mitchum, Victor French, Sherry Lansing, David Huddleston, Susana Dosamantes, Mike Henry, Bill WIlliams.

Third Howard Hawks variation on the loose story structure and conflict elements previously seen in Rio Bravo and El Dorado, this one the least innovative and exciting of the lot. Standard good vs. evil story finds former Union colonel Wayne and his team (including a Reb-turned-ally played by Rivero) squaring off against a corrupt lawman and his gang; everyone plays it pretty close to the archetype (especially the Duke, who could do this part in his sleep, and sometimes seems to be doing that very thing). Central story and characters are routine enough to resemble comfort food being served when the belly is already full, and there’s hardly any variation to the barricade-for-a-gunfight final act. Highlighted by a good early scene involving a hornet’s nest, runaway train, and “rope brakes,” as well as Elam’s kooky codger, a role that his eyes were destined to play. Co-scripted by Leigh Brackett from a story treatment by Burton Wohl. Hawks’ final film.

62/100