“Red River is one of Howard Hawks' greatest works, perhaps his most profound exploration of the deeper meaning of companionship (a standard Hawks theme). In an unusual role, John Wayne plays a tyrannical cattle-baron driving his herd, and his men, on a grueling journey across Texas to Kansas. The conflict between Wayne and his more sympathetic foster son (Montgomery Clift) over matters of leadership and logistics culminates in a dramatic confrontation of Oedipal dimensions and near-epic catharsis.” --Richard Hutson