Gritty?

True Grit (1969)

Based on the novel of the same name and recently remade by the Coen brothers this original version stars John Wayne in the role that won him his only Oscar. Following the murder of her father a young girl hires Wayne's Marshal to go and hunt down the killer in Indian Territory, strangely they never run into an Indian despite the name of the area.

Shot mainly in Colorado there is some outstanding back drops and natural scenery on show here. There is some good interplay between the three main characters but John Wayne's performance seems to lack some of the darkness implied from his characters history, he appears much more good natured than his morally ambiguous past actions suggest. It is a shame there was not a little more grittyness applied to the film but I guess that was part of the trade off of having a young character in a revenge western in the period this film was made in.

Despite a little ageing this is still a good film, 4/5.