Following the Civil War, headstrong rancher Thomas Dunson decides to lead a perilous cattle drive from Texas to Missouri. During the exhausting journey, his persistence becomes tyrannical in the eyes of Matthew Garth, his adopted son and protégé.
Where to Watch Red River
- Mister ArnJuly 1, 2025“Red River”, directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift, is a Western that balances sweeping adventure with a tense, psychological portrait of generational conflict. It’s bold in scale and rich in character, blending rugged frontier action with emotional depth. With Wayne in one of his most complex roles and Clift bringing quiet intensity, the film stands as both a genre milestone and a compelling human drama. It’s a must-watch, not just for Wayne fans, but for anyone drawn to classic American cinema and layered storytelling.
- NickCallanMarch 10, 2026Banger. No notes. Really kicks into gear when the decision is made to turn towards Abilene. A real sense of power and menace around Dunston. Interesting to think of him as the protagonist when he's more or less a psychopath. The film asks interesting questions around American colonialism. Incredible imagery. Cool to watch Wayne act alongside Clift, their styles so different but working so well together, And that ending... So compelling.
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Red River was released on September 17, 1948.
Red River was directed by Howard Hawks.
Red River has a runtime of 2h 13m.
Red River was produced by Howard Hawks.
Following the Civil War, headstrong rancher Thomas Dunson decides to lead a perilous cattle drive from Texas to Missouri. During the exhausting journey, his persistence becomes tyrannical in the eyes of Matthew Garth, his adopted son and protégé.
The key characters in Red River are Thomas Dunson (John Wayne), Matthew Garth (Montgomery Clift), Tess Millay (Joanne Dru).
Red River is rated Passed.
Red River is a Western, Drama, Action film.
Red River has an audience rating of 8.7 out of 10.
Red River had a budget of $3M.
Red River has made $9M at the box office.