RIO BRAVO

Rio Bravo (1959) is a cinematic masterpiece of the Western genre, directed by the legendary Howard Hawks. Starring John Wayne as Sheriff John T. Chance, the film unfolds in the small town of Presidio, Texas. The plot centers on Chance's defiant stand against a powerful rancher, Nathan Burdette, after arresting Burdette's brother for murder.

With only a ragtag group of allies—including a recovering alcoholic deputy (Dude), a crotchety old jailer (Stumpy), and a young, quick-drawing cowpoke (Colorado)—Chance must hold the town jail against Burdette's hired guns until the U.S. Marshals arrive. Renowned for its deliberate pacing, deep character development, and iconic musical scores, Rio Bravo is a timeless tale of professional pride, loyalty, and redemption.

The score by Dimitri Tiomkin is one of the most memorable in Western history. Most iconic is the "Degüello", the "no quarter" bugle call played by Santa Anna's army at the Alamo, which Burdette has played throughout the night to break the spirit of the defenders.

In a rare moment of respite, Dean Martin (Dude) and Ricky Nelson (Colorado) share a musical interlude, singing "My Rifle, My Pony, and Me", a scene that humanizes the characters and remains a fan favorite for its soulful performance.

• 🎬 The Response: Howard Hawks and John Wayne made Rio Bravo as a direct response to High Noon (1952), which they felt was un-American for showing a sheriff asking for help.
• 🎸 Ricky Nelson: Hawks cast teen idol Ricky Nelson to attract a younger female audience, even though Hawks himself wasn't a fan of Nelson's rock and roll style.
• 👗 Feathers: Angie Dickinson was only 27 when cast as Feathers, making her 24 years younger than her co-star John Wayne.
• 📽️ Legacy: John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) is a modern-day reimagining of the core premise of Rio Bravo.