This slow and overlong film is entertaining enough for the most part, but it definitely drags in places. The singing scene was unnecessary and slows the film down even more. Walter Brennan was OK at first, but his overacting and fake accent begin to grate after a while. It would have been far more realistic if either Ricky Nelson or Dean Martin had played the romantic lead, rather than the clearly overweight and obviously well into middle age John Wayne.
I actually much preferred the two semi-remakes, "El Dorado" and "Rio Lobo". It is absurd that anyone could put this film in the same league as either "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" or "The Searchers".
I am surprised so many other reviewers single out Nelson's performance for criticism. Obviously he was only cast in order to encourage young people to see the film, but his performance was not that bad. Dean Martin was hardly a great actor.
I actually much preferred the two semi-remakes, "El Dorado" and "Rio Lobo". It is absurd that anyone could put this film in the same league as either "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" or "The Searchers".
I am surprised so many other reviewers single out Nelson's performance for criticism. Obviously he was only cast in order to encourage young people to see the film, but his performance was not that bad. Dean Martin was hardly a great actor.