Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The great Dean Martin's portrayal of a dead-drunk deputy in this movie is reason enough to rent and watch Rio Bravo; John Wayne and Walter Brennan finish out this helter-skelter trio of lawmen attempting to keep a murderous outlaw in the town jail.

Made in 1958 and in color, Rio Bravo is a Howard Hawks production; Hawks is famous for, among other films, Red River, which also starred Wayne. How he lassoed these three veteran actors into creating the close-knit team of three, in which Brennan plays a wise-cracking, crackling, limping old coot and Wayne the macho, towering sheriff, remains his secret. Whatever his plans may have been, they most definitely worked, and do still today.

Angie Dickinson portrays the lonely, card-playing lassie who catches Duke's eye in one of her first roles, and Ricky Nelson rounds out the main cast as Colorado, a young gun-slinger who with Martin sings a dilly of a duet while holed-up in the jail.

Rio Bravo is most definitely among my favorite of Wayne films; fun-to-watch characters make a slightly weak storyline very worthwhile. Martin and Brennan, however, are the real reasons to rent this comedic western.

Two-thumbs up for Rio Bravo, in my book.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8