Tonight on TV: you liked Rio Bravo, you’ll love its remake! And it’s always with John Wayne

In 1959, Howard Hawks directed Rio Bravo, still considered one of the best westerns of all time. John Wayne embodies a self-confident sheriff, straight in his boots and ready to shoulder the weight of his responsibilities alone.

The plot of the film was later taken up, including by Howard Hawks himself, who declined it in El Dorado in 1966, then in Rio Lobo in 1970. In this final version, the director did not hesitate to use certain motifs of the genre identically (the replica “You have a broken neck” by John Wayne echoes that of Cary Grant in Only Angels Have Wings; the bird whistles before the attack are similar to those in The Clear-Eyed Captive), though it introduces a new element through the historical Civil War setting.

His skill is found more in two action scenes – the attack on the train at the start of the film and the final score settlement – ​​in his characteristic humour, as well as in the character of a grumpy old man played by Jack Elam, famous one-eyed western, usually confined to villain roles.

But it is especially the presence of John Wayne, in the skin of a vigilante confronting a despot landowner, which is worth the detour. Despite his tired look and his few extra pounds, the actor undeniably bursts the screen.

Rio Lobo by Howard Hawks with John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O’Neill…

Tonight on C8 at 9:20 p.m.