ROOSTER COGBURN

US, 1975, 108 minutes, Colour.
John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Zerbe, Richard Jordan, John McIntire?.
Directed by Stuart Millar.

Rooster Cogburn is the sequel to "True Grit". "True Grit" was a most successful western and a great deal of the enjoyment came from John Wayne's crotchety, patch eyed marshal. What better than writing a sequel for this character? The better happens to be the casting of Katharine Hepburn in a western variation of her religious teacher of "The African Queen". Together the stars provide a lot of pleasure. Wayne almost does a parody of himself, Katharine Hepburn quoting scripture and maxims. The story is the standard chase with shootings, rapids, the lot. The film was not as successful as expected. Its appeal was to older non-movie going audiences who would, however, thoroughly enjoy it.

1. How enjoyable a film? Its value as a sequel? The ease of the two stars?

2. The use of widescreen, colour, location photography? Contribution to atmosphere and success?

3. The western structure of a pursuit of criminals? The use of western conventions? How well?

4. How well was the blend of comedy and action? The appeal to audiences?

5. Rooster Cogburn as a character? old, gone to seed, upholder of the law, violent, getting on with the job? His presentation of himself to the judge? At home with his Chinese friend and cat? Yet his skills as a marshall?

6. The initial ambush and killing of soldiers and the robbing of the nitro to create an atmosphere? The need for Rooster Cogburn?

7. Hawke and his character and his fanatical leading of the men? Breed and his wiliness as a guide? Typical criminal types? How well characterised? Necessary for Cogburn's pursuit?

8. The impact of the criminals' arrival at the mission, the confrontation with Mr. Goodnight and Ula? The killings and the devastation? Again a need for law and order?

9. Ula and her style? Confronting people, reciting a psalm at Gunshot, burying her father, strengths of personality, dedication to the mission, her use of the Bible? Her wit and survival capacity?

10. The inevitable clash and humour when she teams with Cogburn? Quoting the Bible at him, trying to reform him, riding and shooting with him? Attitudes towards law and order? Her growing admiration for him? The importance of Wolf accompanying them?

11. The action of the siege and their pretending to be a posse? Ula's shooting and saving Rooster?

12. Their skill in getting back the nitro. putting it on the raft, weathering the rapids and the dramatics of going down the rapids?

13. The human touch with Breed saving Cogburn? His own death?

14. The massive explosions as climax?

15. Ula pleading at the court case and the judge giving Cogburn back Ills badge?

16. The various themes of the west in terms of law, order, justice, criminals and violence? What the west did to individuals? The significance of the parting words and the two riding off at the end? A successful human western?