Red River
A monumental cattle-drive western turns a self-made rancher's tyrannical authority into a volatile test of loyalty, inheritance, and frontier leadership.
Overview
A cattle drive turns into a battle of wills as a father and son clash over power and loyalty.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- rugged
- sweeping
- tense
- classic western night
- cinephile viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Howard Hawks's film as a richly detailed, sweeping western epic elevated by its script, direction, spectacle, and outstanding central performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The central action follows Dunson, Matthew, and their crew moving a massive herd along the Chisholm Trail toward Missouri.
Dunson's tyrannical control over the drive and Matthew's eventual mutiny make their father-son relationship the film's central power struggle.
The film emphasizes the physical scale of the herd, arduous trail work, and sweeping western vistas, praised by critics as spectacle of grandeur.
The cowhands must choose between obedience to Dunson and the stability of the group when his decisions threaten the drive.
Films like Red River, and why
The Searchers
sweeping cattle-drive western centered on masculine authority, endurance, and frontier community
The Wild Bunch
classic western drama combining expansive landscapes, personal vendetta, and psychologically forceful male conflict
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
character-driven frontier drama about generational conflict, cattle, and the costs of leadership
The Big Country
epic western spectacle shaped by harsh landscapes, violence, and clashes between old and new frontier values
Movie Details
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Release Date
- 1948-09-17
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (619)
Cast
- John Wayne
- Montgomery Clift
- Joanne Dru
- Walter Brennan
- Coleen Gray
- Harry Carey
- John Ireland
- Noah Beery Jr.
- Harry Carey Jr.
- Chief Yowlachie
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Red River about?
- A monumental cattle-drive western turns a self-made rancher's tyrannical authority into a volatile test of loyalty, inheritance, and frontier leadership.
- What is Red River like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Red River as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Red River violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Red River as moderate.
- What did critics think of Red River?
- Critics broadly regard Howard Hawks's film as a richly detailed, sweeping western epic elevated by its script, direction, spectacle, and outstanding central performances.
- Which films are like Red River?
- Films with a similar feel include The Searchers, The Wild Bunch, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and The Big Country.
- How long is Red River?
- Red River runs 133 minutes.
- Where can I watch Red River?
- In United States, Red River is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
