Rooster Cogburn

Rooster Cogburn is a 1975 American western adventure film directed by Stuart Millar and written by Martha Hyer. The film serves as a sequel to the 1969 classic "True Grit", with the legendary John Wayne reprising his role as the iconic, eye-patch-wearing Deputy U.S. Marshal Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn from Charles Portis' 1968 novel. The film pairs two of Hollywood’s most distinguished and beloved stars, John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn, for the first and only time, creating a unique chemistry, charm, and entertainment quotient.

Following the success of the original film, Wayne embodies once more the hard-drinking, rough, and tough character of Rooster Cogburn in his twilight years, still committing to the service of justice in the Wild West. This audacious lawman, infamous for bending the rules, finds himself in hot water with his superiors for indiscriminate use of violence in the line of duty, resulting in his badge being revoked. However, a perilous mission presents itself, and the authorities are left with no better option than to reinstill their faith in the one-eyed, trigger-happy marshal to get the job done, thus setting the stage for a high-stakes adventure.

Katharine Hepburn graces the screen as the prim and righteous Eula Goodnight, a spinster and missionary who becomes an unlikely ally to Rooster. Her character is a wonderful blend of strength and vulnerability, making up for half the charm of this entertaining flick. Hepburn’s entry into the narrative animates the plot beautifully when she seeks Rooster's assistance after a band of vicious outlaws, led by the ruthless Hawk (Anthony Zerbe), attack a mission, kill a preacher, and steal a shipment of nitroglycerin.

As the plot thickens, the film evolves into a two-hander, marking some truly engaging exchanges between Wayne and Hepburn, with contrasting personalities and worldviews clashing and converging at different intervals, providing the film with its emotional heft and humor. While Cogburn lays on one side of the moral spectrum with his unorthodox ways, Goodnight counters with her moral absolutism, prayerful living, and prejudice against liquor and guns, thus creating a dynamic reminiscent of Hepburn’s pairing with Humphrey Bogart in "The African Queen."

Eschewing modern action extravaganza, Rooster Cogburn employs classical western genre tropes to engage the viewer in a sequence of events that take Rooster and Eula through looming threats, stray shootouts, and towards an inevitable big confrontation. Their journey through dangerous territories—crossing rapid rivers, dense forests, and rough terrains, often with their evening fireside chats—becomes a delight to watch, gradually building a bond between them.

Thematically, the film explores age, courage, love, and redemption. The script, although treading familiar ground, holds plenty of room for Wayne and Hepburn to work their undeniable charm, making it a compelling watch. The cast’s performance is undeniably the film’s highlight, with both leads pulling off their roles with exceptional prowess and delivering memorable lines with exquisite ease.

In the titular role, John Wayne brings a level of grit and tenderness that leaves an enduring mark. Wayne delivers yet another strong performance, embodying the stubborn yet righteous lawman with equal amounts of vigor and vulnerability. Hepburn complements with an equally outstanding performance, infusing her character with a mix of steel-spined determination, intelligence, and humor.

To conclude, Rooster Cogburn, while slightly veering from the usual western fare, sets up an enjoyable and compelling narrative through its central characters' exploits and relationships against the lawless backdrop of the Wild West. Despite the expected gunfights and horseback showdowns, what makes it stand out is the stirring chemistry between screen legends John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn, making it a classic gem for fans of old-fashioned Westerns and heartening human dramas.