Photo Gallery
15 Must-See Westerns

RED RIVER (1948)
With Howard Hawks behind the camera instead of John Ford, character and dialogue take precedence over sweeping panoramas. The result: John Wayne is absolutely hypnotic (the guy could be a hell of an actor when he wanted) as a grizzled rustler leading an Odyssian cattle drive from Texas to Missouri. The real treat, however, is Montgomery Clift as his rebellious son. He smolders and shoots off sparks like a half-extinguished campfire.