What were John Wayne's Ten Best Movies?

Answer 1

The Searchers. Without a doubt the best of John Wayne and in my top 100 movies of all time. Ethan (Wayne) and Nathan (Hunter) are absolute magic in this epic quest spanning five years for Ethan's niece (Woods). However, Nathan feels Ethan's extreme hatred of Indians will spill over into the now Indian-assimilated Debbie (Woods). With a cast like Jeffrey Hunter, Ward Bond, Vera Miles and the up-and-coming Natalie Woods, acting and the plot make this an American movie treasure. With John Ford as director and Ward Bond, in one of his two best "pious" roles, magic follows Wayne, as it does in his best. 2. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. The first time Wayne and Stewart are paired together in a John Ford classic that speaks to the "baby boomer's" western movie love affair. Lee Marvin comes to the silver screen with a talent appreciated not long after as a top-billed actor. Notice the fight scene in this classic and how closely it matches the one in "Donovan's Reef", also with Wayne and Marvin. 3. The Quiet Man. A cast and plot made in stardust heaven. Maureen O'Hara and Wayne are pure chemistry in this classic with "The Duke" out of his chaps. Here we get to see long-time screen partner from westerns, Victor McLaglen playing antagonists with O'Hara in the middle. Barry Fitzgerald adds wonderful comic relief! Once again we have Ward Bond in a, as in The Searchers, a "priestly" role. 4. Rio Bravo. "The sun is sinking in the west. The red wing settles in her nest..." Lyrics from my Rifle, Pony and Me depicting the heart of this Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan as a part of the heart of this western Wayne classic. 5. El Dorado. Watching Robert Mitchum as he handles the DT's in conflict is a classic. I wish these two had been paired together again for their chemistry was cinema magic. James Caan as Mississippi makes this a treat. Even Ed Asner turns in a fine performance in this classic western. 6. True Grit. It won our Mr. America his one and only best actor Academy Award. Need I say more? 7. Stagecoach. The film that catapulted the "Ringo Kid" and a lifelong friendship with Director John Ford, into stardom and forever on our own "silver screen". 8. Red River. This could be anywhere but number one on this list. The plot and the acting with the likes of Montgomery Cliff, Walter Brennan and "The Duke" at their best. Also, Harry Carey, Jr. makes this a pairing that lasts for decades with the John Wayne. 9. The Shootist. Wayne and Stewart both knew "The Duke" did not have much time to live. Still, as consummate professionals, the plot unfolds into another western as good as any ever made. Ron Howard often cites this movie as an epiphany in his life. 10. Fort Apache. "In John Ford's somber exploration, mythologizing American heroes, slowly the character of Owen Thursday is revealed, seeing his new posting to the desolate Fort Apache as a chance to claim the military honor he believes is rightfully his. Arrogant, obsessed with military form and ultimately self-destructive, Thursday attempts to destroy the Apache chief, Cochise, after luring him across the border from Mexico, against the advice of his subordinates..." paraphrased from the IMBD database and I could not state it better.