El Dorado
El Dorado

El Dorado

1966Movie126 minEnglish

Cole Thornton, a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Harrah. Together with a fighter and a gambler, they help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water.

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Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Google Users80%
Director: Howard HawksGenres: Western, Adventure, Drama

Plot Summary

A legendary gunman named Cole Thornton arrives in the town of El Dorado to help his old friend, Sheriff J.P. Harrah, who is involved in a land dispute with a greedy cattle baron named Bart Jason. Thornton finds Harrah incapacitated by alcohol and must navigate the dangerous situation, facing challenges from Jason's men and dealing with his own past entanglements.

Critical Reception

El Dorado was generally well-received by critics, who praised its classic Western elements, Howard Hawks's confident direction, and the performances of its star-studded cast, particularly John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. While some found it to be a familiar story, it was widely appreciated for its understated style and engaging action.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its solid performances and classic Western atmosphere.
  • Howard Hawks's masterful direction is evident in the film's pacing and action.
  • Seen as a satisfying, if somewhat conventional, entry in the Western genre.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's classic Western appeal, the charismatic performances of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum, and the straightforward, action-packed plot. Some viewers found it to be a bit dated or predictable, but overall it is viewed as an enjoyable and well-crafted Western.

Fun Fact

Robert Mitchum was originally cast as Cole Thornton, but John Wayne insisted on playing the role himself after reading the script, leading to Mitchum taking on the role of Sheriff J.P. Harrah.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Definitely one of Howard Hawks' better collaborations with John Wayne. A reasonably strong story about a rancher and his family trying to defy an avaricious and violent Ed Asner ("Bart Jason") who is trying to take over everything he can. T...
John Chard

John Chard

Big heavyweight movie all round. Directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne & Robert Mitchum, it's safe to say that El Dorado comes with some pretty tough credentials. Thankfully the expectation that comes with such a teaming is ...