Overview
A gunman returns to the wild west to protect an old friend from danger and betrayal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- laconic
- witty
- warm
- classic western night
- easygoing movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Howard Hawks's western as tightly directed, humorous, crisply entertaining, and elevated by the chemistry of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cole Thornton rejects Bart Jason's offer and later returns to aid Sheriff Harrah and the threatened settlers.
Cole's relationship with Harrah and his partnership with Mississippi drive the defense of the town.
The film combines terse veteran banter with Mississippi's cheeky charm and frequent humor during murderous gun forays.
Sheriff J.P. Harrah's drinking leaves him compromised, while Cole's return helps restore his ability to act.
Films like El Dorado, and why
Rio Bravo
shared laconic western banter, male camaraderie, and a besieged lawman defending a town
Rio Lobo
shared classical western gunplay, veteran star power, and themes of loyalty and aging
The Professionals
shared revisionist western humor, hired-gun protagonists, and friendship forged through violence
McLintock!
shared warm ensemble dynamics, frontier conflict, and comic relief amid gunfights
Movie Details
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Release Date
- 1966-12-17
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (611)
Cast
- John Wayne
- Robert Mitchum
- James Caan
- Charlene Holt
- Paul Fix
- Arthur Hunnicutt
- Michele Carey
- R.G. Armstrong
- Ed Asner
- Christopher George
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 El Dorado about?
- A laconic hired gun reunites with an alcoholic sheriff and a young eccentric to defend Texas settlers from a ruthless land grab.
- What is El Dorado like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of El Dorado as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is El Dorado violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in El Dorado as moderate.
- What did critics think of El Dorado?
- Critics broadly regard Howard Hawks's western as tightly directed, humorous, crisply entertaining, and elevated by the chemistry of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum.
- Which films are like El Dorado?
- Films with a similar feel include Rio Bravo, Rio Lobo, The Professionals, and McLintock!.
- How long is El Dorado?
- El Dorado runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch El Dorado?
- In United States, El Dorado is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
