Over the past two days, John and I watched first the 1969 version with John Wayne, Glen Campbell, and Kim Darby followed by the 2010 version with Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld.
| John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn |
| Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn |
Do you ever get the sense that a movie can tell the story even better than the book? I got that distinct sense from the endings of both movies that veer away from the novel's ending.
Okay, enough of that, I won't spoil it for any who'd like to watch, read, and analyze for themselves.
Just suggesting that if the man of the house is weary of Downton Abbey and girly flicks, he might be open to watching this one or two and you'll have plenty to ponder yourself.
As one who is going to need some true grit this week herself, I'll catch you later.
I enjoyed both movies. Never read the book. My husband is a John Wayne fan, so he liked the original movie better.
ReplyDeletep.s. just noticed that the two Rooster Cogburn characters wear the patch on opposite eyes...
ReplyDeleteYes, John and I were just discussing this. It makes me wonder if the book mentions which eye was affected, if they went with the actors' strongest eyes or if Jeff Bridges out of deference to John Wayne asked to have the opposite eye patched. Interesting to wonder about. You might be interested to know that each Chaney had the mark on a different cheek.
DeleteI never read the book, though your right, would be interesting. I saw both the movies though it has been soo long ago now I can't remember the first one. I should watch it again as goodness knows John Wayne is one of hubby's fave. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteHave never happened to see or read, any of these stories.
ReplyDeleteBut!
The older Jeff Bridges!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... I could happily sit and watch him read a telephone book, for a couple of hours.<--In case that old line, is older than Dear Readers here, it means I think he is gooooooooood to look at. Yummmmmmmmmm... ,-)
"Auntie"
I was raised watching only westerns...so haven't seen any since I have been married...but my husband did tell at the wedding that we always knew our daughter would marry a cross between John Wayne and Rambo.
ReplyDeleteI think it is time to share a western with my boys...it is spring break
I saw True Grit in 1969 but don't remember a thing about it! I missed the new one. Funny to note that John Wayne looked a little 'smoother' and Bridges looks really rough and grizzly. Hollywood has evolved! xo
ReplyDeleteLoved the first True Grit because I 1) love John Wayne movies, 2) was at the age where I could be infatuated with Glen Campbell when I saw it, and 3) loved the theme song, which was really high on the Top 40 on WLS Chicago at the time (don't remember if it reached #1).
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen the second movie.
The only Louis L'Amour book I ever read was one of his few nonfiction books. It is called Education of a Wondering Man and I loved it so much, when I found a rare second copy of it in hardback at a library sale, I bought that one for Christopher's library even though he was in his early teens at the time (his library is still in "My Room" but that's another story).
If your hubby likes to read, he'd probably enjoy that book. It is L'Amour's autobiography of the years before he became a famous author and how (as a school dropout due to the circumstances of the times) he educated himself by the reading of books... even during the times he was a hobo!
Ah Louis L'Amour I think I know a man who might like his books!
ReplyDeleteI love your cat pic below.
I've watched several westerns because my hubby likes them and I enjoy them for the most part because of the beautiful scenery usually seen in them. I did see John Wayne's True Grit but it was long ago and I don't remember much about it. I'd like to see the newer one with Bridges sometime.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why you wouldn't want to read a good book with a western flavor. That way of life is part of our nation's history. :)
You haven't shared with us why you'll need a little true grit this week, or if you did I missed it...so whatever it is, hope all goes well for you.
I don't think I've watched either movie, although the first one was so long ago that I may well have forgotten. Nor have I read the book. But a good western movie is fun - this would be good to keep for a cozy weekend evening.
ReplyDeleteI hope the "true grit" you need for this week is provided for you in abundance.
i have seen both movies. which is better? not sure. i don't think you can compare. totally different actresses & actors. time periods & all. i guess if you could make it at the same time & "Duke" was still around ... then maybe you could compare. John Wayne = Classic. Jeff Bridges is pretty darn close.
ReplyDeleteenjoy your day. ( :
It's good to give the men folk a break from what we girls love...
ReplyDeleteI have been a lover of westerns since I learned to read books without pictures! I'm especially fond of L'Amour's writings (fiction & non-fiction). I introduced my hubby to them and now we share the joy of collecting them. I love both the book "True Grit" and the 1969 movie with John Wayne. My favorite western movies are the ones based on L'Amour's books like "The Sacketts", "Hondo", and "Conagher"!
ReplyDeleteI remember the first True Grit movie but don't think we've seen the newer version. We like some westerns and in fact watched one the other night. It was more a sci-fi western called Cowboys and Aliens. We had seen it before but I forgot so bought it on Blue Ray DVD. We were interrupted part way into it with a Skype visit, which neither of us minded, then a phone call for M. and then I fell asleep and caught the very end. Ha ha! Oh, M was not into Downton Abbey at all. And I did get a hold of the seasons 1 & 2 and loved it! Now I need season 3.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning to like westerns, that's all I'll say.
ReplyDeleteMy husband never wanted to see the new version because he loves John Wayne and thought he'd be disappointed! Glad to hear it's a truer representation of the novel - I'll have to watch for it on cable.
ReplyDeleteHi Vee - been busy around here... Yes, I've seen both and loved both. Welp, have to admit, I was raised on westerns down here - who wasn't? Still love them, and it seems that there are very few good new westerns anymore - I guess for me "Lonesome Dove" was the last GREAT one, - ever watched that mini-series? Well, maybe "Tombstone" with Kurt Russell - it was pretty great. John would love "Lonesome Dove" if y'all are into mini-series. It was fantastic! If you want the names of more, I have plenty for you. Love a good ole Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, too. All John Wayne westerns are great. "Magnificent Seven" was a good movie, too. I could go on, but....
ReplyDeleteTalk to you soon --- Vickie
You needin' some grit this week?
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Alot.
We haven't seen either movie...maybe we'll have to watch them but not anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteSigh, grit. Lindsay and Emma used some grit the other night - bless their hearts. Real women.
Deanna
I have seen many a Louis L'Amour book lying around in the past...and have yet to pick one up. I haven't watched too many westerns in my life either. But on occasion...in good company...why not?
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen either version of True Grit, but who knows? Maybe it's in my future...
ReplyDeleteI had to share that an English professor of whom I think very highly thinks L'Amour is quite under-appreciated.
Well, I've been knowing I needed SOMEthing else to help me thru this move thing....now, I know what it is...TRUE GRIT !!
ReplyDeleteYep, have seen both movies and liked the newest MUCH more than J. Wayne's.
Same with The Alamo...liked the newer one twice as much as the first.
Have not seen or read the book... I haven't watched westerns in a looooong time... hehe
ReplyDeleteI remember reading Westerns when I was in the second of third grade. I still like to read one once in awhile or watch a good Western movie. I've seen both of these. I hope your week is a good one!
ReplyDeleteSaw the John Wayne True Grit years ago but not the newer one. We need to get that on our Netflix que - thanks Vee!
ReplyDeleteI like Westerns. I like pretty much all genres except slasher films, unless they're cool zombie films - which is horror sometimes but not slasher, if that makes any sense at all to you?
Hugs.
Hey, what's going on this weekend? I musta missed sumptin.
I also enjoyed watching the new version of True Grit! I have to admit I loved watching all the western TV shows as a child -- they were popular with my dad and older brother so my mom, sister and I had no choice but to watch! I had a crush on Zorro and I wanted to be Dale Evans. I never dreamed back then I'd be living on former ranch land in the west!
ReplyDeletePastor Mike truly adored the original version. So, while I watched and enjoyed the newer movie we "had to" watch the original too. They were both good in their own ways. The first a bit gentler if my memory serves.
ReplyDeleteThat one's a favorite of Louis Dean's! I know you are NOT surprised! He says the ACTING is better in the first one. I liked the second one best. Did you know that Kim Darby teaches acting and is still as cute as she ever was? We are watching movies these days and staying away from the violence that has swamped TV. We are sleeping better at night for it and have more to show for our days!
ReplyDeleteMy brother-in-law is a John Wayne fan and actually, the second date I went on with my hubby, we saw Green Berets. He proposed that night...yes, on the second date! We've seen the original True Grit, but not the remake; I'll take Downton Abbey anytime, XOXO
ReplyDeletemy husband and i have watched "open range" at least a dozen
ReplyDeletetimes. after seeing every john wayne movie ever filmed, my
hand's down favorite western is still "open range." i double
dog dare you to watch it.
I loved the newer version and I have read the book. The second version stays pretty close to it, especially to the feel of the language. The dialogue was my favorite part. Of course, the book always has a little bit more to it than the movie.
ReplyDeleteI have never read the novel, and I haven't seen the remake version, but I have seen the original with John Wayne many, many years ago. I'm not a huge western movie fan, but I admit that they kind of suck you in sometimes, and that one did.
ReplyDeleteI guarantee that my brother-in-law the John Wayne purist would refuse to watch the remake and even give it a chance. He is a true fan of The Duke.
I have a big problem with movies taking license away from the book. Hate it when I read a book and loved it and the movie changes the ending. That's happened so many times that I almost don't want to see a movie made from a book anymore. The Horse Whisperer was one of the worst. Completely different ending to the story. If they ever make a movie out of the trio of 'These Is My Words', I will never see it. I have all those characters cemented into my head still.
ReplyDeleteI've watched both, but have never read the book. Both have some great acting, though I've wondered why they talk so funny, and John Wayne's movies always came off a little corny sometimes. Frankly I thought the ending to the second movie was just stupid, but then I've never read the novel. I like better endings. When I have read a good book, I often will not see the movie if I know they didn't stick to the story.One of my favorite movies of all time is 'To Kill a Mockingbird". Never read the book.
ReplyDeleteDebbie