John Wayne and James Mitchum were great in this movie. Lots of good humor and memorable quotes.

Some say that Howard Hawks made the same picture three times with Rio Bravo, El Dorado, and Rio Lobo. In the broad strokes, it is true. John Wayne isn't the straight romantic lead in any of them, but has his interests. There are several beautiful young women in different roles in the film and there is a younger man, usually a male star that someone is trying to push (Ricky Nelson, James Caan, and Jorge Rivero). And Wayne is fighting some mysterious guy with all the money trying to cheat and drive out an honest family. All the stories have enough twists to be enjoyable. And I liked this story very much.

In this movie John Wayne plays a hired gun named Cole Thornton. He comes into El Dorado and meets up with Sheriff JP Harrah (Robert Mitchum). The have known each other since before the Civil War, but something has passed between them. They respect each other, but aren't quite close friends. One of the problems is Maudie (the beautiful and captivating Charlene Holt). She has a relationship with the Sheriff, but she has deep affection for Cole, and that spoils it for Harrah.

The Sheriff is worried that Cole has gone over to a bad place and wants to fill him in on the truth about Bart Jason (Ed Asner) who has hired Cole. The truth is that Jason has been building a big spread that requires more water, but the water he needs is on land owned by the MacDonald family. The MacDonalds have been on their land and built their ranch over a lifetime and after much sacrifice and hard work. They don't want to sell. Cole is supposed to convince them to sell. Cole decides he doesn't want to work for Jason and heads over to his place to return the money he was paid - less traveling expenses. The MacDonalds have heard about Cole and left one of their sons as a watchman. A tragedy occurs and the boy's sister ends up shooting Cole with a wound that leaves a bullet pressing against his spine. Every now and again, it causes Cole shooting pain and temporary paralysis that increases with time.

Cole leaves the town and along the way picks up Alan Bourdillion Traherne (James Caan) as a traveling companion. Traherne is called Mississippi by Cole because he finds the name as absurd as the man's hat.

There are people on both sides of the fight over the MacDonald's land, but by the time Cole returns to El Dorado, Harrah is a sorry drunk. The story builds to a climax with Cole, Harrah, Bull Harris, and (Arthur Hunnicutt) under siege in the town jail. Christopher George does a nice turn as Nelse McLeod, the gun hired by Jason to counter Cole's support of Harrah.

I will let you watch the movie to see the way things work out. Sure, you can guess the final resolution, but the way the story twists and turns does keep us entertained. One of the lighter moments comes when Harrah sobers up and his companions demand that he bather. I will let you delight in the way the scene plays out.

Quite a good Waynestern.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

First off, let me start by saying that, contrary to the popular belief here, El Dorado is definitely NOT a remake of Rio Bravo (Two-Disc Special Edition). Yes, there are a similar themes that run through both: A drunken lawman, holding up in the jailhouse waiting for the U.S. Marshall, a sexy love interest, and a crusty old deputy to name a few. Howard Hawkes, who directed both films, was fond of saying how much he liked to steal from himself. But the plots are completely different. A perfect example of a remake is the 1957 film 3:10 to Yuma (Special Edition), starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. In 2007 a remake of the film (3:10 to Yuma (Widescreen Edition)), starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe was released. Same characters, same exact plot. Only the sequence and action was updated. That is a remake. In Rio Bravo the Sheriff is holding the brother of a rich rancher for murder and the story takes us through how the rancher tries to free his brother at any cost. In El Dorado, based on the Book The Stars in Their Courses by Harry Brown, the main plot revolves around a range war between two ranchers, the tough but fair Kevin MacDonald (R.G. Armstrong) and the land-grabbing Bart Jason (Ed Asner). This is not a remake.

John Wayne plays Cole Thornton, a hired gun whom Jason is trying to hire to help drive MacDonald off his ranch so that Jason can steal the water rights. What Jason doesn't know is that Thornton is an old friend to the local sheriff, J.P. Hara, played by Robert Mitchum. Of course, Thornton turns down the job. But unknown to him, MacDonald has been mistakenly warned that Thornton was working for Jason, which leads to Thornton accidentally killing one of MacDonald's sons, Luke (Johnny Crawford of The Rifleman Fame) and then getting shot by a MacDonald daughter (Michele Carey). The killing of Luke haunts Thornton to the point where he feels he owes the MacDonalds but can't face them, leading him to leave. This all happens in the first 15 minutes of the film and sets up the rest perfectly.

As the story progresses we meet "Mississippi" (a young James Caan), a man who had spent two years chasing down a group of cowboys who murdered his friend. Christopher George plays Nelse McLeod, a gunman with an interesting sense of fairness who joins Jason. And we find out that after Thornton left El Dorado his pal Hara turned into a drunk because of a "wandering petticoat." It's up to Thornton, Mississippi, and Hara's deputy "Bull" (played wonderfully by character actor Arthur Hunnicutt) to put Hara back together before McLeod can take advantage of the situation. What follows is some of the best gunfights that a mid-1960's western could produce.

Throughout the film we're treated to great action, wonderful lines (Bull's "Well I'd be a suck-egged mule" is still one of my favorites), a bit of comedy relief here and there, and some good-ole fashion sex-appeal coming from Charlene Holt and Michele Carey. Just what every guy back in the 60's loved about going to see a John Wayne Western at a Saturday matinee.

I would highly recommend this to any John Wayne/Robert Mitchum/Western fan. Believe me, it will not disappoint.

I am about 50. And I have a fairly large DVD collection and before that LD (never collected VHS). I have a TIVO and have had one for about 9 years. I am always looking for more good films. So with that background understand that I have been fortunate enough to see many classic films in the theatre, or on cable or SAT. Without commercials(the ONLY way to watch anything).
I am a John Wayne fan and a fan of westerns. I like a lot of different ones- from Stagecoach (both versions) to Clint Eastwoods new ones to Peckinpah and Fords.

And this movie is MY FAVORITE WESTERN. I like most of John Waynes films from the late 40s on. And most westerns from that time on. Earlier then that not much.

With that background in mind here is my review:

I had this film on LD for years and upgraded to DVD.
I watch it on a projection screen with a pretty good home theatre so its like watching it in a real picture palace (except no bratty kids or chewing gum stuck on the seats).
The opening score and song are classic; the pictures (painted by The Swede-Thorntons gunsmith friend) rival Remmington at his best.
For those that remember the TV Series "How The West was Won" of the late 70s this opening score and paintings are just as good.

The Duke is a top gun man for hire; not young and he knows it. He is about to take a job from Bart Jason (Ed Asner) but the local sheriff finds him first. He is an old friend. And Cole Thornton finds out that the job is to kill his old friend. Needless to say Cole tells Jason where he can stick his job.
Unfortunately a well meaning friend has told the ultimate target of jason that Thornton is here after him and his family and a tragedy occurrs that will have ramifications for the entire movie.
the First half hour of this film sets up the rest in all ways. And does a pretty good job of it.
In many ways this is as complete a film as you could ask for- and they do it without voice over which is a real mark in its favor as regards allowing the viewer to make up his mind and figure it out all on his own.
John Wayne in this film really starts to accept the aging process. There are good bits here and there that show this. Mitchum does as well but not to the same degree (of course Mitchum was younger so....)
There are so many good little scenes and the supporting charactors are all very well fleshed out-with the exception of Jason (but this bad guy is just simply a greedy man wanting power and willing to have others do the killing for him- which is smart since the one time he does pick up a gun it does not turn out well for him).
This is a remake of Rio Bravo- but I am not alone in thinking that this is just as good and in some areas better (no singing, no Ricky Nelson).
Angie Dickinson is a little better then Charlene Holt, but then her part is also much bigger. James Caan is PERFECT as the young green kid who cannot shoot straight. Arthur Hunnicut is to me frankly better as the crotchety old Deputy. Michele Carey has a great part as a cowgirl who is a top shot (which Cole Thornton finds out the hard way)= she is an actress who sadly never got enough parts = I think she could have been a real star. Christopher George plays the Top Gun on the other side- and how his part is handled shows the master craftsman Howard Hawks at his best. He took care for such a relatively small part to flesh out it and the charactor very well without using much screen time.
If you like westerns you will love this film. If you like John Wayne you will love this film. If you like films that were made by master craftsmen like Howard Hawks with a cast as good as you can ask for and dialogue well fitted you will love this film.

This is one of the classic John Wayne movies. If you like John Wayne, you have to own this movie. You will want to watch it over and over again.

I haved loved this movie since i was a child watching it with my dad. John Wayne and Robert Mitchum play in this classic western. Mitchum plays a sheriff who is gutsy but has fallen for a woman who hs past through and she breaks his heart to where he starts to drink. Wayne plays his friend who is a hired gun. wayne is hired to kill a rancher over some land and water and to kill a sheriff who is in the way. wayne finds out that the sheriff that is the hit is his old friend. the rancher who wayne desides against killing because it would be in cold blood has a daughter who shot wayne. wayne comes to help his friend and pay back a dept.

The background behind the story is great, and generally the actors did a good job bringing the characters to life. But there were some times where I found myself waiting for things to happen, which to me is an indication of poor pacing in the movie.

With that said, my family did enjoy the movie, and watching The Duke again.

This is a great movie. One of my favorites; I have watched it many times.

John Wayne plays Cole Thornton a hired gun who turns down a job to work for Bart Jason, as this would mean fighting his old mate J.P. (Robert Mitchum). In the end he fights with J.P. and Mississipi (James Caan) against Jason.

Essentially this is virtual remake of Rio Bravo, and it isn't as good. Mitchum takes the Dean Martin role and James Cann the Ricky Nelson role. However Howard Hawks was a great filmmaker and he manages to make this a worthwhile and very entertaining movie in its own right.

John Wayne is starting to show his age in this film. He was close to 60 when it was made, and Mitchum who was 10 years younger steals the film from Wayne. The kill or cure drunk cure for J.P. is probably the best scene in the film, and Mitchum plays it brilliantly. There are good supporting roles from the lovely Michele Carey as Joey and Arthur Hunnictt as 'Bull'.

So if you liked Rio Bravo, you'll like this. It isn't quite the masterpiece Rio Bravo was but its a lot better than most.

Well.. I can't say I am a HUGE Western fan.. I'm not really.. I don't get them.. and I can't say I am a HUGE John Wayne film.. BUT having said that, I have always enjoyed his later films..

This is said to be a remake of Rio Bravo..which, I actually do hold in higher regard.. The whole tension of the film is just not quite as severe here. There's an almost palpable sense of paranoid in Bravo, that El Dorado misses. Granted alor of the characters are cliehed and practicalyl interchangeable between the two. I am neck and neck with Mitchum vs. Martin on this one.. although, I do give a slight edge to Mitchum.. but the irrascible Walter Brennan in Bravo wins out for me over this one.

Still though I do not see it as a remake.. a sequel.. or anything really.. its more just a loose collection that bears some similarity.. but it is its own animal. Granted Caan was great in a very early role as "Mississippi" which you can't really comapre to the Ricky Nelson role in Bravo (he has what 6 lines in the entire film?). But I still find the third film, Rio Lobo unjustly maligned.. its not a BAD film.. granted not a great one but all three are still very watchable.. and its almost like watching very SIMILAR movies through a different lens which makes them interesting to watch.

BUT.. am I a John Wayne fan? I'd say.. no.. I enjoy quite a few of his movies though.. True Grit, Liberty Valence, Sons of Katie Elder, The Cowboys, the three I previously mentioned and The Shootist... and I'll even toss in Big Jake.. he played it with a bit more swagger.. but he played a bit of a nastier version of himself.. and a great supporting cast too.

Still though..back to this film. I really did enjoy the film. and the final shoot out was great, but I still give the edge to Bravo.. MAYBE its just because it was the first (although tht really didn't matter to me since I saw most of them early on and never thought of which came first). BUT.. the influence of Bravo can be SERIOUSLY felt in Carpenter's Assault on Preceint 13 (he offers a commentary on the new dvd), the recent remake even has a similar vibe... and oddly, to me.. but James Manigold'a Copland always SCREAMED Rio Bravo to me.

Being a sequel.. remake or reimaging of that is no shame.. and this one is its own world filled with its own unique and fun characters.. I actually will say that may be why people enjoy this one more.. as the humor is a bit more.. evident here. Everyone has a good easy time, more so than Rio Bravo which at times is.. I won't say humorless but not quite as much on the fun side while still remaining an excellent film. From the "cure" to Missippi pulling on a shaw and a wet flower pot as a "disguise" there is much more a sense of fun in this film that I think propels it ahead..

But.. no matter which you pick, El Dorado (with its great opening) or Rio Bravo.. you still can't lose. Both are great Westerns that will have you wanting to come back to the Old West again.

I love John Wayne westerns. My husband loves his war movies. El Dorado is one of my all-time favorite westerns and right behind "The Quiet Man" for my favorite John Wayne movie.

My kids loved the theme song. The younger one used to sing "Ride Goldie Ride" (instead of Ride Boldly Ride) for days after watching this. I bought it as soon as it came out on DVD as the VHS version was well worn.

Sure, it's a remake of Rio Bravo. I love Rio Bravo but think El Dorado is better. Even though I like Dean Martin in Rio Bravo a lot, Robert Michum portrays a drunken sheriff so much betterand is funnier. "I've got a bed in the jail. It's hard and narrow, but he won't get bounced around." Ed Asner is a better bad guy. Claude Akins' character in Rio Bravo is a dumb thug; Asner's intelligence shows into his character in El Dorado. Yeah, no singing in El Dorado and I did like that in Rio Bravo. My husband says Rio Bravo is better just because of the very young, scantily clad Angie Dickinson.

John Wayne portrays an honorable gun fighter. He's still tough as nails, fighting on the right side, loyal to his friends, and gets the girl. That part would be a little hard to believe nowadays, or would it? The girl is way young for him and Mitchum, but she is obviously, though it wasn't stated, a cathouse madam, and therefore, a man with money is attractive, regardless of age. John Wayne was one big tall fella, and every time I see this movie, I look for him on his horse, Cochise. Wayne practically dwarfs his horse. Caan and Mitchum were both tall men, but the Duke just towers over everyone.

James Caan is young, handsome, and amusing. His character Mississippi, is just the right complement to Wayne's and Mitchum's near-crusty, experienced gunslinging characters. I loved his home remedy for sobering up Mitchum. The bath scene, with many bars of soap is funny, too.

No bad language, no sex (you don't even see lips touch during the kissing scenes), no one bleeds when they get shot, and the good guys win at the end.

This is Wayne and Hawks' redo of Rio Bravo and although that movie was great fun and didn't need to be redone, I'm glad they did. El Dorado is better in my opinion for a few reasons, but I'll stop there at comparing these movies because they are both great.

This is a fun comedy western with great action, drama, and dialogue. There are some really cool characters here that you just love to watch. John Wayne of course is the star and he does his usual hard as nails with a caring core weapon for hire, Cole Thornton, who just happens to be at the wrong or right place at the right or wrong time (depending on how you look at it).

What's unusual about this movie is that John Wayne's Cole Thornton isn't at the top of his game anymore, and he knows it, especially due to a nerve problem sustained from a gun shot earlier in the movie. Yet he must go against the best anyway and he uses his brains not just his bravado to win the day.

Robert Mitchum plays the drunken El Dorado Sheriff J.P. Harrah that Cole Thorton must aid. This is where Rio Bravo and El Dorado become one in the same, but this time they have the main bad guy in jail and not his punk brother.

Arthur Hunnicutt is Bull Harris, Mitchum's sidekick, deputy, and good friend, and James Caan plays Alan Bourdillion Traherne (Which is a mouthful so they just call him 'Mississippi'), Wayne's sidekick. Both of these characters have back stories of their own though minor and are not only great help to our two main characters, but loads of fun for us viewers.

And then there's Charlene Holt as Maudie. She's the love interest for someone??? It changes as the movie develops, but she does a good job tying up story lines for John Wayne's character as we follow his adventures away from El Dorado for a while, and although Bull could have done that for us, it's much more fun to see Wayne with Holt.

And then there's Michele Carey who plays Josephine (Joey) MacDonald, who is probably the sexiest cowgirl I've ever seen, and she's as tough as she is beautiful. She is Caan's love interest, and interesting she is.

This is a classic Wayne Western. Good action, great characters, good comedy, just a little romance, and a great showdown at the end. I highly recommend this and Rio Bravo for John Wayne movie lovers. Two of his best or at least two of my favorites.

This movie would be easy to confuse with the movie "Rio Bravo" bacause both movies carry a plot thread involving a drunken lawman who must be sobered up in order to keep him alive, but don't be deceived. These are two different movies with entirely different story lines. I have both titles in my collection and am glad to have both.
In this one James Mitchum gives an outstanding performance as the drunken marshal with John Wayne coming to his aid. John Wayne and James Caan sober him up with a witches brew of which, thank the Lord, we don't have to watch, or smell, the effects.
Mitchum is trying to protect a family of ranchers from the schemes of a land grabbing cattle baron played to cynical perfection by Ed Asner. (this was before he bacame beloved as Lou Grant on tv.) Before the movie is over the plot twists and turns like a coyote covered with fire ants, but everything comes out all right in the end. (except for Ed Asner, He's dead.)
In all a good action adventure, with some violence. It is interesting to note that John Wayne is shot early in the film and is still suffering life threatening effects at the end. A relief from so many movies of the period where the hero suffers major wounds and a couple of days later shoots down a herd of villains and whips the bad guy in a fist fight.
It is also worth noting that while this movie takes some humor from devices to sober up the co-star, neither this movie or "Rio Bravo" treat alcoholism as a humorous condition. In both movies, it is treated as a life-threatening and humiliating condition, with lingering and painful side-effects.
Sorry, neither Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Rick Nelson, or Walter Brennan appear in this movie. It doesn't need them. If you want to see them, buy "Rio Bravo"

A great movie however many times you watch it. I'm glad I found it here.

Yes, El Dorado has a similar plot as Rio Bravo, and it stars the "Duke" and is directed by the same director.
But, El Dorado has a much tighter and leaner script, and doesn't contain any dreaded "filler" like Rio Bravo, nor does it have the woefully miscast Ricky Nelson. (It's still a superior western though)
El Dorado co-stars the much more effective James Caan, and the incomparable Robert Mitchum in a spectacular performance.
A great story, a wonderful and superb cast, lots of great action and masterful direction make this a "must-see" western. (that "splinters in the hand" scene has to be seen to be believed ! )
Highly recommended.

The setting for this western is Texas sometime after the Civil War. There are a number of unique, or at least uncommon, elements in this flick. It begins with a delightful song, "El Dorado", and the showing of still paintings of Old West scenes. Later, a shootout occurs not only inside and near a saloon, as one might expect in a typical western, but also in a church (belfry and then sanctuary). Women (notably rancher MacDonald's cowgirl daughter) are more prominent in this flick than in most other westerns.

There are many violent scenes in the film. Not only are shootings shown, but so also is a vendetta stabbing. Wounded men (including Cole Thornton) are shown in agony.

The politically correct won't be happy with the start of this film. Cole Thornton (John Wayne) mentions that, before the arrival of rancher MacDonald in the area, "there was nothing here except Indians and coyotes". But of course this film was made at a very different time from today (1967).

Rancher MacDonald's son, Luke, is sent to guard the ranch. This is, later according to Thornton, "A boy doing a man's job." Luke falls asleep and, at the sound of an approaching horseman, wakes up and opens fire wildly. The horseman fires back as a reflex, wounding Luke in the lower abdomen. It turns out that the horseman is none other than Cole Thornton. Luke writhes in agony, explains to Thornton what happened, and then commits suicide with his own gun.

Thornton tells father MacDonald what happened, and the latter sadly accepts the truth. But Luke's cowgirl sister does not. She set up a revenge ambush for Thornton, and fires a rifle at him. She says triumphantly: "There, you won't be killing any more boys!" But it turns out that she only managed to wound Thornton in the lower back. For the rest of the film, Thornton has episodic problems with disabling back pain and arm paralysis from the bullet lodged in his back, which he neglects to have removed promptly.

In time, one of MacDonald's remaining three sons is kidnapped, and Cole Thornton works for his release. The local sheriff at first is of no help. He is constantly drunk, and is a laughingstock for everyone around. But in time he gets sober, returns to the saloon, and has a bit of revenge against those who had been laughing at him.

At one point, Thornton seems to have an upper hand in a gunfight with MacDonald's kidnappers. But then, at the worse possible moment, Thornton is hit with a spell of back pain and arm paralysis. He is totally helpless! What will the kidnappers do to him? Will he at least get out alive? Will MacDonald's kidnapped survive and ever go free? I will not spoil the ending by revealing it.

I happen to be a big fan of Olaf Wieghorst and own an original oil. The vehicle of DVD is ideal for the purposes I bought this particular movie. I realize that many purchasers will care less about the item I like the most and that was the eight or more paintings by Olaf that come with the beginning credits. When a picture or painting comes on the screen the DVD can be be paused and the painting can be studied. It is a great experience. I hope that this review will encourage others to watch the movie with the eye of a western art lover.

El Dorado is truly a classic western featuring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. James Caan gives an outstanding performance as Mississippi. Scenery,acting and story line were excellant. This is truly a movie you would want to see again and again.

My entire family loves this classic movie - this is a movie that everyone can watch over and over.

If you like westerns and the Duke you will need this in your collection.

The mid-1960s was a point of intersection for American movies. It is a bit of a lost era and one of the lowest points in Hollywood's history. It is situated long after the peak glories of the `golden age' of Hollywood and just before the New Hollywood movement that would breathe such new and invigorating life into the ailing medium. In many ways the films from this era are the ones which new filmmakers would react so strongly against; movies high in budget but sparse in originality, cast with aging movie stars playing worn characters; bloated, lifeless, and out of touch with the rapidly changing social climate of the day. "El Dorado", released in 1967, is most assuredly a film of this era. It is a western of such a standard concept that it could have been made thirty years prior. Its stars, John Wayne and Robert Mitchum, are well past their primes and here look stiff, heavy, and old. It is, like so many others of the time, a film that seems irrelevant and washed up; a product of `going through the motions.' Its one saving grace, however, is that it occasionally seems all too aware of this fact.

I say that Wayne and Mitchum seem tired and old. This is no doubt due in part to their actual age, but it is also because they are playing characters who are tired and old. Mitchum plays J.P. Harrah, the drunken sheriff of El Dorado, and Wayne, Cole Thornton, a long time friend and aging gunslinger. The two shuffle and trudge though the film in a way we modern film spectators would love to call them out on, but which is intentional nearly to the point of inspired. Wayne especially, who at one point even needs help mounting his horse, seems more than aware of his changing role in films, and is obviously set about to age gracefully. He would go on to do this notion great justice in 1976's "The Shootist", but we can see the seeds of this self-reflexivity even here, some ten year prior. Mitchum too plays his role as a drunk with a certain amount of moxie, both recognizing and poking fun at his own reputation. The film is not a pure comedy, however, and despite their limitations, both the actors and characters do their best to prove they still have it, and do so to a degree of success. The scenes of hung-over Mitchum and half-paralyzed Wayne shooting their way through the streets of El Dorado determined to hold their own are quite exciting and enjoyable, and it is this aspect of the movie, this negotiation with age and character, that brings its greatest successes.

But this does not save the film as a whole. Despite the apparent awareness of these actors that they are playing tired, worn characters, they are still playing tired, worn characters. And even if the characters have a certain added depth, both the direction and the screenplay certainly do not. The story is lifeless and dull, revolving around business disputes and questions of who is the fastest draw. Much of Wayne's dialogue, especially early in the film, sounds as if it were a compilation of dialogue from every other western he has made, and the movie as a whole feels as though it must have seemed badly dated even at the time of its release. Howard Hawks, that old master of the Hollywood western, tries to bring new life to the film though the quirky character of Mississippi, played by a young James Caan, and through some intentionally odd humour, but these attempts to be `hip' cannot help but feel heavy-handed and false, like a middle age man trying to seem `cool' for the kids. There are hints that Hawks could see a future for Westerns, particularly through this humour which seems somewhat a precursor to Leone and the spaghetti westerns, but for the most part he comes across as what he is: an ageing director trying, but ultimately failing, to make films the way he always has and yet keep current.

One need only put this movie into context to see its awkward place in cinematic history. It comes some ten years after the western peaked with "The Searchers" (1956) and some eight years after Hawks' own "Rio Bravo" (1959), which also starred Wayne and Mitchum, and was already a look back to the past glories of the genre. Two years after "El Dorado" Wayne starred in the painfully out of touch "The Green Berets" (1968), a film that would solidify Wayne's position outside of contemporary culture. Westerns themselves would soon be turned upside down and shaken by Sam Peckinpah and other young filmmakers who would more competently play with the conventions of the genre. But here is "El Dorado", firmly within the middle: a film aware enough of its own age to be interesting, but lacking enough ambition or energy to solve this dilemma. Some of it is quite enjoyable, and Wayne and Mitchum are often great to watch, but ultimately the film is as awkward and stiff as the many other films of its era.

As all John Wayne (Cole Thornton) movies I enjoyed watching this time and time again. Also, having Robert Mitchum (Sherrif JP Harrah) in this movie added a new twist of actors that co-starred with John. Robert is a good actor and I enjoy his movies as well. Other actors that added a twist to the movie were James Caan (Mississippi), Aruther Hunnicutt (Bull) and Christopher George (Nelson McLeod). I wish there were more authentic westerns and spagetti westerns as there used to be. Tom Selleck in "Quigly Down Under" is another good one.

What could be better...you get to see The Duke riding through beautiful western landscapes....with western towns populated with beautiful women...and bad guys in black hats....plus Robert Mitchum being Robert Mitchum and James Caan with that funny hat and big gun, and they play well with The Duke. The staging and the filming in technicolor plus the Olaf Wieghorst western art with the opening credits characteristic of the late fifties and early sixties took me back to some great memories of going to the movies as a kid. A side note...an acquaintance who was working on the set during filming says that John Wayne and Robert Mitchum were not talking to each other...who knows why, supposedly they were friends at one time..during the breaks Mitchum went off with the upper echelon while Duke would lunch with the crew....this is a great DVD to own for those Saturday nites when you feel like watching a fun shoot'm up western...you'll also love Rio Bravo..

Just a good movie, nothing fantastic or awe inspiring just a good story with adequate performances. You don't see too many adequate performances in movies anymore or on TV.

I know I saw this when it came out--my dad took us to all the John Wayne films when I was a child.

Unfortunatly this film does not stand the test of time. The script is flat, the performances are lackadaisical for the stars--the supporting case seems to be made up of female models who can only over-act and emphasize their bosoms. To give John Wayne credit he always does the same thing in his films and does not seem to hold back. Mitchum was a disappointment.

To view for nostalgia reasons its okay for about the first hour--then it gets tiresome. It rates a zero for psychological depth. For a great classic Western see "A Fistful of Dollars".

This film is one of those 1960's era John Wayne + (Fill in the Blank major Star)movies. Actually it's almost an exact remake of another and better Wayne flick, "Rio Bravo" with Robert Mitchum playing the Dean Martin part and James Caan playing Ricky Nelson's role.

Who'd of thought that a Howard Hawks western starring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum could be so mediocre? Wayne who went on to snare a deserved Oscar for "True Grit", looked ancient and ill suited to portray one of the fastest draws in the west, gunfighter Cole Thornton. He seemed even more unbelieveable in winning the affections of attractive widow Maudie played by Charlene Holt.

Wayne joins forces with alcoholic El Dorado sheriff J.P. Harrah, not much of a stretch for Robert Mitchum who seemed half asleep at times in the film. Wayne had been recruited by land baron Bart Jason played by a snotty Ed Asner to evict the rightful owner of a tract of land that he desired, which Wayne ultimately declined to do. Together they fight off an Asner sponsored gang led by facially scarred actor Christopher George.

Unfortunately "El Dorado"'s tired theme had been done before and in much better fashion in films such as "Shane" for example. The aged pair of Wayne and Mitchum didn't do it for me. James Caan in one of his first major roles was not well cast in this movie. Arthur Hunnicutt playing deputy Bull Harris was the acting highlight of the film. Charlene Holt parading around in negligee was pretty good as well.

This is a classic of classics with good action and all around good humor.

I had already seen Rio Bravo and then heard that this film was a remake of that , but wanted to see Robert Mitchum in the drunk role that Dean Martin played so well in Rio Bravo .
Mr Mitchum does very well .

This is a solid Western and like other reviewers I particularly enjoyed James Caan's character .

The story keeps the characters going as much as the audience - you feel they are making up their minds what to do as it goes along .

I hope we get a Special Edition of this film one day , but this one will do for now .
If you know Rio Bravo , you may well enjoy this film more .

I enjoy most John Wayne movies and this is no exception. Although not as good as "Red River" this movie is worth 2 bits to see it. A story similar to "Rio Bravo" John Wayne and Robert Mitchum are good together. And I believe James Caan is better than Ricky Nelson although not as good a singer. Grab a box of popcorn and a soda, settle in for a return to yesteryear, and enjoy.

This is probably my all time favorite John Wayne movie. It has it all Action, drama, comedy and even a little romance. It is not just your standard shoot-em-up, but a great study of characters. Great performances all around. A very young James Caan is a green but able kid. Christopher George is the supremely confident gunman hired by the evil landgrabber, Ed Asner. Robert Mitchum is the drunken sheriff who must sober up for the fight of his life. Of course, John Wayne as the hero who must save the day even though he suffers with a handicap of his own. Great support from recognizable actors Paul Fix, Arthur Hunnicut, R. G. Armstrong,and Jim Davis. While there is plenty of action in this movie, appreciate the interplay between the characters. The dialogue comes relaxed and easy. It is just some great entertainment.

this is one of the many GREAT John Wayne films. it is helped by a star studded cast including a very young James Caan (Mississippi) and another legend of the big screen Robert Mitchum who plays Waynes old acquaintance who has turned town drunk/sheriff. All three give stellar performances! my only dissapointment with this movie was the lack of extra's but it still is worth every penney and more. this movie is a must have for even the slightest western Connoisseur!

John Wayne was supurb in this true good vs evil western. I wish I could substitute Dean Martin in as the sheriff instead of Robert Mitchum and Walter Brennan as Bull. But this is still an amusing story.

If you like John Wayne and the classic western genre, you'll love this film. The cast is wonderful: John Wayne and Robert Mitchum (old friends and nemesis), James Caan (what a kid!), Ed Asner, and Christopher George.

Wayne and Mitchum are a little long in the tooth and there is talk of settling down, but there are scores to settle and justice to enforce first.

Near the end of the movie is a faux pas regarding crutches. Both the heroes are using crutches by this time and Mitchum mistakenly changes the side he's using. John Wayne picks up on the oversight and quips to Mitchum in an ad-lib ( I believe) that is very clever.

John Wayne is thoroughly the "Duke" here - his swagger, tough talk, hard-bitten quips, and ironic surprise at everything that happens. I don't recall him being as "Himself" as he is in this movie.

There are many comic moments amid the classic tale of hired guns, good versus evil, fights over water rights, and "top hand" winning the girl. All in all, a delightful film well worth watching.

While many point out that El Dorado is a remake, I think it is, in fact, better than the first movie it is based on. First off, no singing or cast based on the need for singers! This is a REAL, honest-to-God, Western, with a big "W". John Wayne and Robert Mitchum really work well together. You can feel the history behind their friendship and this adds to the conflict, the struggle, they feel, as one has to watch the other recover from crawling into the bottle. James Caan brings a LOT to the cast, really allowing a way for much of the humor to enter the film.
Not much in extras - in fact there is only a trailer. 126 minutes of fun.