MovieChat Forums > El Dorado (1967) Discussion > Overall opinion of the movie?

Overall opinion of the movie?

posted 8 years ago by maitch-1
12 replies | jump to latest

Sadly for me I only caught a brief bit at the start and then came back in when Mitchum was doing his stuff in the saloon. FANTASTIC!!! His banter with the piano player, "You don't look too happy." Then sorting the guy out behind the piano, leading him to Ed Asner!!

There was no mucking around with Ed. A very brief chat followed by smashing him in the face at close range with his rifle.

So funny to see the Duke, all virtuous, preventing him from finishing him off.

Unlike some here I think Mitchum plays a drunk superbly. You can see he's REALLY suffering and hanging out for a drink.

The funny bit was Wayne gruffly shoving a bloke away as they exited the saloon. As if we needed anymore testosterone from the great men!!!

I fear apart from the two legends the movie might compare poorly to Rio Bravo. James Caan aint no Dean Martin, just hasn't got the charisma, runs on the board and presence. And Arthur Hunnicutt aint no Walter Brennan.....no-one is.

"Take away the pain, but leave the swelling."

[–] hammer4 8 years ago

Personally, I think it's possible to like and enjoy both "El Dorado" and "Rio Bravo", without comparing them to each other. The same goes for the supporting players.

You compare Dean Martin to James Caan, but the correct comparison would be Martin/Robert Mitchum, as they had the corresponding roles. I view each as stand alone performances and I like them both. The same holds true for Hunnicutt/Brennan.

[–] bradleyoic 8 years ago

You are correct about Mitchum and Martin playing each other's counterpart in the two movies. The one thing that Rio Bravo has, that El Dorado doesn't is the songs that Dean Martin, Brennan, and Colorado sang. I LOVE the song My Rifle, My Pony, and Me!!! Also the scene with Wayne shooting the dynamite thrown by Stumpy(Brennan), I really like that scene. Then again El Dorado has some great scenes that are almost impossible to match in quality, in my opinion.

[–] hammer4 8 years ago

Yes, the songs in "Rio Bravo". Other posters have criticized their inclusion as being incongruous. Of course it's hard to imagine the studio casting Ricky Nelson if he wasn't going to sing (a little). His popularity as a TV star and stand alone recording artist was building nicely in 1958-59. And by including Martin (and Brennan to an extent) one could argue that the numbers were within the context of the characters, as sort of a relief from tension as opposed to just having someone break out in song like in an Elvis Presley musical.

Of course James Caaan, Nelson's "counterpart" in "El Dorado" was no singer.

[–] jharmon64 8 years ago

Good point on comparing the two, what does it matter. I happen to prefer El Dorado, but we don't need to compare them role by role or scene by scene.

10/10 in my book, an all time favorite.

Creasy: Okay, my friend. It's off to the next life for you. I guarantee you, you won't be lonely..

[–] hammer4 8 years ago

In my opinion "El Dorado" is a reworking of "Rio Bravo" as opposed to a "remake". For one thing the source material is different. Also, there are no scenes that are literally repeated (to the best of my knowledge) which I believe is to the credit of Hawks and screenwriter Leigh Brackett.

I consider both films to be top drawer and certainly among the best work in Howard Hawks' illustrious career.

[–] vestdennis 8 years ago

It is very similar to Rio Bravo (one of my favorite Westerns) but has a better cast in some regards. I absolutely love Charlene Holt (God so sexy!). And Michele Carey is stunning too. I used to not like El Dorado as much but I have grown very fond of it and am now ordering the DVD to add to my Western collection. Both films are top notch.

[–] msgreen-53599 8 years ago

I'm always surprised when I see reviews of John Wayne's movies and "El Dorado" is treated as if it never existed. Both these movies are great. The fact that "El Dorado" is a sort of remake of "Rio Bravo" doesn't take anything away from it. I've watched both probably 100 times and am ready at a moments notice to repeat either. In fact I own multiple copies of both movies.

[–] spookyrat1 8 years ago

Yes, I really like it as well, but I wonder why the OP has "spoiler - covered" so many minor plot points that aren't really spoilers at all.🐭

[–] indy_go_blue44 8 years ago

El Dorado is my favorite JW movie, maybe my favorite western. I love the chemistry between the actors, even the bad guys have a certain charisma. I never understood how someone can put one film or series above another, other than liking one more (or less, i.e. Star Trek/Star Wars.)

[–] Jones70 (6195) 3 years ago

It’s an excellent western.

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1155) 3 years ago

It's the first John Wayne I remember watching. It's a good one. The part where Mitchum shoots the splinters into the bartend's hand is great.

[–] BrandNewPoster (6217) 8 months ago

It's an entertaining, above average western with good performances.