True Grit

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True Grit

G

Released Jun 11, 1969

2h 8m

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

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54 Reviews

84%

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25,000+ Ratings

After hired hand Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey) murders the father of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), she seeks vengeance and hires U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne), a man of true grit, to track Chaney into Indian territory. As the two begin their pursuit, a Texas Ranger, La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), joins the manhunt in hopes of capturing Chaney for the murder of a Texas senator and collecting a substantial reward. The three clash on their quest of bringing to justice the same man.

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Critics Consensus

True Grit rides along on the strength of a lived-in late-period John Wayne performance, adding its own entertaining spin to the oft-adapted source material.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Far too often for True Grit to quite overcome, [Wayne's] larger-than-life turn flirts with, if not outright topples into, self-parody.

Rated: C+

Jan 5, 2011

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TIME Magazine

By growing old disgracefully as the fat, swaggering Rooster Cogburn, Wayne proves he can act -- and solves his own senior-citizen problem in one master stroke.

Dec 1, 2010

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Empire Magazine

Although some say Wayne's Oscar was given out of sympathy instead of his performance, he still acts well as the sheriff who's past his peak.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 1, 2010

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The filmmakers lean on Wayne, who gives die-hard fans access to a rich performance that, for many, forgives all else that remains so clumsy about the picture.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 3, 2023

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Michael Kostelnuk

Winnipeg Free Press

A marvelously entertaining blend of classic Western melodrama and irresistible old-style sentiment.

Aug 19, 2021

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Wayne won a Best Actor Academy Award for his rambunctious turn.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 30, 2021

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alan g

One of the best John Wayne movies. Kim Darby is great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 8 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

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Sanghamithran K

The most beautiful film I've ever seen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Nick E

John Wayne is in true form in True Grit.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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Kevin P

A very engaging western with great performances from John Wayne, Glen Cambell, and Kim Darby. They all share great chemistry with a very charming (if a bit corny) sense of comradery with their banter. Especially between Rooster Cogburn and Mattie with their surrogate father-daughter-like relationship with how much she equally annoys him and brings him joy. John Wayne is really likable in the role, balancing charm like a lighthearted grandpa mixed with the badassery you’d expect from a grizzled US Marshall. The scenery and set design are both great, with all the sweeping vistas shot on-location and how much color & personality they give the town settings (as opposed to most historical dramas nowadays that try to make everything as colorless, underdeveloped, and dimly lit). The main girl is a lot of fun as she doesn't take crap from anyone, even if her haircut is awful and her whining does get a bit old by the end. But it's still a very solid coming-of-age movie about justice and vengeance in the old wild west.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Will G

A classic western film. This is the first John Wayne movie I’ve seen. I also enjoyed the remake made by the Coen brothers. Similar to the spaghetti westerns made by Sergio Leone.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

Full Review

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Henry Hathaway

Director

John Wayne

Rooster Cogburn

Glen Campbell

La Boeuf

Kim Darby

Mattie Ross

Jeremy Slate

Emmett Quincy

Robert Duvall

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True Grit 50th Anniversary: Fathom Events Trailer

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Synopsis

After hired hand Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey) murders the father of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), she seeks vengeance and hires U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne), a man of true grit, to track Chaney into Indian territory. As the two begin their pursuit, a Texas Ranger, La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), joins the manhunt in hopes of capturing Chaney for the murder of a Texas senator and collecting a substantial reward. The three clash on their quest of bringing to justice the same man.

Director: Henry Hathaway
Producer: Hal B. Wallis
Screenwriter: Marguerite Roberts
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 11, 1969, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 2h 8m

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