The Fighting Kentuckian
The Fighting Kentuckian

Movie spotlight

The Fighting Kentuckian

1949
Movie
100 min
English

John Breen (John Wayne), a Kentucky militiaman falls in love with French exile Fleurette De Marchand (Vera Ralston). He discovers a plot to steal the land that Fleurette's exiles plan to settle on and aims to foil it.

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Director: George WaggnerGenres: Western, Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

In the War of 1812, John Breen and his fellow Kentuckians, known for their rowdy ways, travel to the Louisiana Purchase territory. They encounter a land dispute with a group of French settlers who are being manipulated by a greedy nobleman. Breen must use his wit and charm to unite the Kentuckians and the French settlers against their common enemy and secure peace.

Critical Reception

The Fighting Kentuckian received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics appreciated the inclusion of John Wayne in a somewhat lighter role and the comedic elements, others found the plot to be predictable and the execution lacking. Audiences generally responded more favorably to Wayne's presence and the adventurous storyline.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for John Wayne's charismatic performance and the film's blend of action and humor.

  • Criticized for a formulaic plot and uneven pacing.

  • Seen as an entertaining, if not particularly groundbreaking, Western effort.

Google audience: Audience reviews are not readily available for this film.

Fun Fact

This film was one of the first directed by George Waggner, who is better known for his work on the original "The Wolf Man" (1941).

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Kenneth Blais

Kenneth Blais

One of my favorites of Wayne's films. With Oliver Hardy as a sidekick this is a rollicking fun movie. Plenty of action and a good screenplay makes this a must see for any Wayne fan.