the audience applauded

Fantastic!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Of course, the Duke delivers, albeit as a caricature of, himself, but the rest of the cast, except Jack Elam and David Huddleston, is a pain to watch. I believe the piece of trivia that said Wayne felt Elam was a scene-stealer. He chewed up the scenery and spit it out. Jennifer O'Neill got a lot better between this film and 'Summer of '42.' I think Howard Hawks was wise to write her out of the last part of this film.

For some reason, most of the acting in "Rio Lobo" is not very good. John Wayne, Jack Elam, Chris Mitchum, and, in a difficult role, Victor French carry off the acting honors, with Bill Williams shining in his brief role.The story is involved, even complicated, not to say convoluted, ranging from the War Against Southern Independence to Wild West land shenanigans.There are three very attractive women, who have much more to do than just look pretty, but, sorry to say, only one gave much of a performance.Jerry Goldsmith wrote, as usual, an impressive score, and it amplified the action fittingly.The action and story were attributed to Burton Wohl, and he co-wrote the screenplay with prolific Leigh Brackett. Since I haven't read the original, I can't know how much was changed for the screenplay, but, as others have noted, much of the denouement was used in other films.But I give "Rio Lobo" high marks for John Wayne, the story, and Jerry Goldsmith's score. I urge you to watch it BUT, the print I saw at YouTube, supposedly "High Definition," is warped, and there are disconcerting jumps as scenes or camera angles change, and sometimes the background wobbles.Maybe there is a better print and I hope you find it. But do watch "Rio Lobo." It's not the greatest John Wayne movie, but it's a darn good John Wayne movie. And that puts it ahead of most other movies.

Finally got a chance to see this classic! It was a 1st in many ways, Hawks final film, Peter Jason and Sandra Currie's film debut, the rare pairing of Wayne with Jorge Rivero.As always the larger-than-life John Wayne is the star. And he shines in his role of Col. Cord McNally. A little over-the-hill type of guy who's not comfortable with the word "comfortable"! For me it was a treat to see the great Jorge Rivero as the young and strong-looking, Capt. Pierre Cordona aka Frenchy. but as always Hollywood does it again as I have noticed in countless pictures, why is it that whenever a minority , in this case a Latino, who does not look like your typical minority because of great presence or muscularity or stature or color-eyes, has to be a mix?? Or half- breed per say?? Ever notice that? But because he can't be all white, he has to be mix with something, half-white or in this case, half-French. Just a observation... Anyways, Rivero did OK and held his own with The Duke but he was still young and had a lot to learn. I can't tell if that was his real voice or dubbed though.The beautiful Jennifer O'Neill fared a little better as the feisty and tough Shasta Delaney but not for one minute did I buy the so-called 'love' that blossomed between her and Rivero. She actually came on like a snobbish witch to me but it was what the role demanded I guess. I wish the Duke would have just flung her over his knees and given her a good spanking! It was what she deserved.The ever reliable, dependable Jack Elam stole the picture for me. He came on quite late but once he did, he made every scene count. And man he had me laughing with his crazed, loony, punch-drunk Phillips. You could tell the Duke was just holding back from laughing as well in the scenes with Elam.Christopher Mitchum did pretty good as Rivero's partner in crime,Sgt. Tuscarora Phillips. I liked the interplay between him and the Duke.The late Victor French as Ketcham (boss of Rio Lobo) did OK. He really didn't have much to do but be at the mercy of The Duke and Elam and be held hostage.The lovely Susana Dosamantes did the typical ethnic role of María Carmen. But she handle it well I believe. It's interesting to know that she and Rivero later co-starred in so many Spanish-speaking films later on.In a weird bit of casting but in a good sexy way, Shelly Lansing oozed a bit of sexiness in a scene with Rivero, her being half-naked and all, as the lovely but doomed Amelita. Their scene, which was brief, was more believable in terms of chemistry than O'Neill's and Rivero's.The great David Huddleston as Dr. Ivor Jones the Rio Lobo dentist, was also a treat as was Elam's. The scene of Jones with the Duke faking a pulled tooth was a hoot.The imposing Mike Henry had an OK role as the Rio Lobo Sheriff 'Blue Tom' Hendricks. I wish he and The Duke would have had a fist-fight or something but it didn't happen. Rumor has it that Wayne was not doing well health wise when filming this picture. Even Hawks says that was the reason he felt the picture did not do well in the box office or with the critics.The late Jim Davis as a Rio Lobo Deputy was way too short and I felt he was wasted in a minor role.I didn't even see the late George Plimpton or hear the famous one-line which was the basis for a TV special.The great Peter Jason made quite a debut as Lt. Forsythe the gold train detail officer! Being stung by hornets and jumping off a train and subsequently breaks his neck and dies! And the beautiful Sondra Currie made a super brief uncredited debut as a Blackthorne Prostitute with one line that Rivero kicks out of his room to make room for a fainted O'Neill.The late great Bob Steele makes a uncredited bit as a Rio Lobo Deputy.The late great Hank Worden does also a uncredited bit as Hank, a Hotel Clerk.And last but not least, The Duke had one of his sons, Ethan Wayne, in a uncredited cameo bit. (I didn't see him) :(

Maybe it's because I'm in an exceptionally foul mood today, but after I bought this DVD, and saw the first half hour, I was reminded of why I didn't like this film the first time I saw it.Pic starts off strong with some convincing and innovative action, that itself is quite spectacular, but the supporting cast and sexual tension amongst thereof is a yawner, and will anger the most ardent Wayne fans. Me included.Model's turned actresses deserve a shot at acting just like anyone else; through auditions. How these pretty faces got past reciting their sides for Hawks is no mystery. They're attractive. Wayne fans are split and/or at odds with his pro-Vietnam war flick "The Green Barets", so Wayne goes back to doing Westerns, and Hawks probably obliged with Wayne's faltering rep by casting a couple of honeys for the film.Note that no other big names were in this film. No surprise. We're left with a bunch of flat toned supporting cast (save maybe Ed Asner), and unbelievable gunfight scenes (even for a John Wayne western).The only redeeming quality of this film, other than Wayne himself, is the fact that it was respectably shot. Not well shot, but passable for a pro-grade feature.Me, personally I think this film is a bust. There should have been more action at the end in the tradition of "War Wagon" or maybe even the calming tones of "El Dorado". "True Grit" had a pretty spectacular finish too, as did its sequel. But this film?I don't know. Maybe they figured the genre was wearing thin for a lot of people. The Western was transforming with the nation back then. I know, I was there and remember it. But to create something like this with women who can't act? And an unsympathetic Duke who isn't outraged when a woman gets cut or beaten? Huh?Like I said, maybe I'm just sore and angry with a lot of other things in my life, but this film brought back all the memories of why I quit watching John Wayne films (not that he did a whole lot after this flick).I salute the Duke, and always will, but not this movie. It's more TV movie of the week material than a solid theatrical release.Watch at your own risk.