Yesterday I rewatched the 1969 True Grit with John Wayne, immediately followed by the 2010 version by the Coen brothers. I liked both films, but for me the original has the edge.
John Wayne vs. Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn. Well, I think it's safe to say the Bridges is the more versatile actor. But this role is just so perfect for John Wayne that I cannot in all honesty say that I think Jeff Bridges could match it.
Glen Campbell vs. Matt Damon as La Boeuf. Well, no contest. Campbell is a singer, not an actor.
Kim Darby vs. Haillee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross. Tough call. Haillee is too cute, in my opinion. But she is the right age, and Kim was 22, playing 14.
Robert Duvall vs. Barry Pepper as Ned Pepper. Again, no contest. I wouldn't say that Barry Pepper is a bad actor, but he is no Robert Duvall.
Jeff Corey vs. Josh Brolin as Tom Chaney. Two good actors. Personally I found Corey more believable as a low down character that would shoot the person that had helped him. But Brolin was good, too.
Henry Hathaway vs. Joel & Ethan Coen as director. The Coens don't have nearly as many directorial credits as Hathaway. But their films are much more consistently good. Hathaway has some hits and some clunkers. He is usually good with Westerns, though. The Coens' film has a darker tone.
The main reason I liked the 1969 version better is undoubtedly John Wayne. I love John Wayne when he does what he does best. And he does it here. Then there may be a question of a generation gap. I'm not sure that the younger generation gets how good Wayne was.
Anyway, these are both very good films. If you haven't seen any of them, pick one. If you've seen one, try the other one too.
