Comfort Classics: El Dorado {Movie Review}

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“Faith can move mountains, but it can’t beat a faster draw.”

And you can’t beat a classic John Wayne western like El Dorado. Paul and I both love this movie – it’s one that we quote often in our conversations with each other. I think it’s good to have a few “man movies” that you can watch with your spouse and this one is perfect for us.

John Wayne plays his essential strong, silent character who doesn’t tolerate nonsense. There is witty banter among the cast, romantic chemistry with at least two couples and some really great shootouts.

Rundown:

Year: 1966
Starring: John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and James Caan

Synopsis from IMDB: Cole Thornton, a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Hara. Together with an old Indian fighter and a gambler, they help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water.

Why I Love It:

The director, Howard Hawks, reportedly said that the story didn’t matter because the film had some “great characters.” I definitely agree that the characters are the best part of the movie.
Like McClintock, this is a movie I’ve enjoyed with the men in my life – my Dad and my husband.
This is a movie “for people who like well-made, entertaining movies with suspense, violence, horses, colorful characters, lots of shooting and a few pretty girls.” via Roger Ebert

It’s Worth Mentioning That:

2 of the actors appeared together over 35 years later in Elf (James Caan/Mississippi and Ed Asner/Bart Jason)! Fans of The Andy Griffith Show might recognize the actor who appears as Bull from the TAGS episode “A Feud Is A Feud.”
When the film was finally released in the summer of 1967, it was widely panned as old-fashioned. Some critics suggested it could have been made in the 1940s. This movie is not politically correct – it’s a classic old western.

Here is a little taste of the movie:

Start the clip below at 4:00 for the best part of the scene.

Where To Watch It:

Currently it is available to rent on YouTube and Amazon, and if you have a DVD player you might be able to rent it from the library!

You might even be able to find it for free on YouTube. Just search the movie title or “[movie title] full movie.”

If You Like This, You Also Might Enjoy:

McClintock!
Rio Bravo – a very similar but more lighthearted version of El Dorado
Paul’s Recommendation: The Alamo

Have you seen El Dorado? If not, have I convinced you to give it a watch? It will make you want to “Ride, boldly ride, to this land called El Dorado!”