All 11 John Wayne Movies From the 1970s, Ranked

With John WayneUnfortunately, with his passing in 1979, the 1970s proved to be the final chapter of his celebrated and stable acting career, which saw him become the most iconic Western actor in history. Wayne’s filmography this decade consolidated and boosted his legendary statusportraying different roles in various genres that defined his career and made him a household name across the world. His characters and films have explored many Western cultural themes such as loyalty, justice, courage and revenge, which have become trademarks of his work over the years.

It’s incredible to think that Wayne was still evolving and progressing as an actor, even in his late 60s, with different roles in films like Rio Lobo and The cowboys. Whether portraying a Civil War veteran on a mission or a hardened mentor imparting his wisdom and stories to a younger group, the 1970s seemed like a year when Wayne could do no wrong on screen. His embrace of complex, cerebral characters, with less reliance on their physicality and action scenes, made this a standout decade, showcasing the true acting talent of one of the all-time greats.

11

Rock Out, Sweet Earth (1970)

Like himself

In Wayne’s most different and unusual outing on film in the 1970sThis patriotic TV special saw Wayne play the host and narrator of a film consisting of pro-America vignettes and scenes featuring a wide variety of actors, stars, dancers and musicians. It featured a montage of sequences that celebrate America and its history, with Wayne guiding the audience through the journey of the formation of the United States with grace and poise.

Although Wayne is just himself, he still commands the screen with his signature charisma and charm that have made him an icon of American cinema and the perfect frontman for a love letter to all things American and American ideals. However, has to be thought of in a different light because it is not a traditional film; It’s still an enjoyable watch and shows once again that in any facet, role or medium, Wayne will elevate and bring gravitas to the work.

10

McQ (1974)

As Detective Lieutenant Lon “McQ” McHugh

After dominating the Western landscape for decades, the 1970s saw Wayne further broaden his horizons and take on different genres that took him a little further out of his comfort zone. In the neo-noir thriller McQ, he takes on the lead role of detective ‘McQ’ in a more modern settingin which your character investigates the brutal murder of his partner, which leads to conspiracy and corruption in his own police station. McQ, guided by his morals and the quest to avenge his best friend’s premature death, sees him turn against the very institution he helped develop.

With corruption and police violence still a controversial issue to this day, McQ addressed a delicate and controversial topic in the mid-1970s, in a hard-hitting and courageous drama with a well-constructed narrative. Although fans at the time were so used to seeing Wayne in his usual Western roles,It was a change of scenery that was perhaps not as well received as expected. Wayne commanded the screen with his usual presence and charm, but didn’t quite hit the notes of some of his more stellar performances from the rest of the decade.

9

Brannigan (1975)

As Lieutenant James “Jim” Brannigan

Similar to McQWayne once again shows that his acting range is not just limited to the American frontier and takes on the role of police lieutenant Jim Brannigan. Brannigan is a tough Chicago officer tasked with flying to London to help extradite a famous American criminal. (John Vernon) back in the United States. The plot continues Brannigan as he deals with the culture shock and personality differences between himself and the British commander (Richard Attenborough) while trying to arrest the gangster who has been kidnapped for ransom.

The story is unique and genuinely compelling, with moments of levity and humor peppered throughout, showing the differences in style and policing on both sides of the Pond. Wayne and Attenborough share fantastic chemistry that only grows as the film progressesand Wayne’s gruff, serious personality clashes masterfully with Attenborough’s polite, direct approach. Overall, the ‘fish out of water’ story is well executed, with solid acting, but it still feels like it lacks some of the punch and gravitas of some of Wayne’s more iconic, predominantly Western films.

8

The Train Robbers (1973)

As a clue

The 1970s may not have shown Wayne at his absolute physical peak, but his performance throughout the decade continued to be a testament to the man and his supreme talents. In films like The train robbersWayne commands the audience with the same ease as alwaysplaying stoic cowboy Lane, who helps a widowed woman recover a stash of gold buried in Mexico worth $500,000. Once word gets out that there is a fortune available, a gang of bandits and thieves try to find the gold first or obtain it by any means necessary.

Although the film ends with a rather unfortunate and misguided twist, with the widow discovering that she is not who she claimed, the overall narrative and atmosphere of the film is one of heightened suspense and intrigue. The battle sequences, especially the final shootout, are excellently choreographedand Wayne’s charisma and machismo help further solidify him as the go-to western actor. Wayne’s chemistry and relationship with Ann-Margaret, who plays the widow, is genuinely fascinating and, combined with the interesting plot, makes it an underrated gem in Wayne’s filmography.

7

Cahill US Marshal (1973)

As J.D. Cahill

Cahill US Marshal sees Wayne combine two long-running themes from his career by playing a rugged lawman, J.D. Cahill, in a western film. The mature U.S. Marshal is placed in a moral dilemma when his two sons help commit a bank robbery with an outlaw gang, forcing him to choose between his family and the law he swore to uphold. Wayne, once again, is on top form, delivering a performance that rivals his most famous works in a touching and measured display of a man caught between a rock and a hard place.

The film features a cast of Western icons such as Harry Carey Jr., Paul Fix and Hank Warden, starring in supporting roles that help elevate Wayne’s commanding performance. Cahill US Marshal addresses topics rarely visited in the Western genre, and Wayne’s sincere and sometimes sensitive performance shows that he can pack a sentimental punch when necessary. The heartfelt family dynamics and stellar performances from the entire cast make this film a must-see, but it lacks some of the polish of his other 1970s work.

6

Chisum (1970)

As John Chisum

Andrew V. McLaglen’s classic American Western finds Wayne starring as the titular protagonist, John Chisum. Chisum is one of Wayne’s most versatile roles, seeing his character go from a mild-mannered cattle baron who wants the best for his family and business to a ruthless and calculated killer. Chisum is forced to deal with an amoral businessman (Lawrence Murphy) who has killed two of his men and stolen some of his land, forcing the usually stoic character to abandon his sensitivity and go on a mission of revenge.

Wayne and Murphy’s collision course is truly one of the best build-ups of any 1970s Western, with their chemistry and back-and-forth adding tension and action to each scene. The climactic fight between the two is one of the best fights in any Wayne film, with the two exchanging blows in the house before Murphy falls to his death in the second story. While the film lacks a bit of complexity and emotional depth, it still has all the hallmarks of a classic Wayne western and is still a captivating film to watch.

5

Cogburn Rooster (1975)

As US Marshal Rooster Cogburn

In a much-anticipated sequel to True courageWayne reprises his role as the courageous one-eyed U.S. Marshal Cogburn Roostera character based on the star of Charles Portis’ 1968 Western novel and the role that previously saw him win his only Oscar. In this issue, Cogburn has had his badge suspended due to his harsh approach to prisons, but is given one last chance to redeem himself by arresting and imprisoning a gang of bank robbers. The film presents a perfect blend of comedy, action and suspense as the lawman’s career and life hang in the balance.

Rooster is accompanied on his mission by a spinster named Miss Eula Goodnight (Katharine Hepburn), and Wayne and Hepburn’s chemistry is fascinating to watch throughout the film, as the two go from adversaries to developing a reluctant partnership through sharing a common goal. Although not as iconic as its predecessor due to a less compelling narrativeIt’s still obvious why Wayne’s portrayal of Cogburn won an Oscar in True courageas he masterfully embodies one of the most interesting and layered characters in Western history.

4

Big Jake (1971)

As Jacob McCandles

In a film that was the ‘final’ for both legendary director George Sherman and Wayne’s frequent co-star Maureen O’Hara, who subsequently retired for 20 years, it feels like a film made for them to go out with a bang. Big Jake sees Wayne play ex-husband and father Jacob McCandlesa wandering gunslinger who is tasked with returning to the family after Jake’s grandson, ‘Little Jake’, is kidnapped by a gang of bandits. It’s a film that combines fast-paced action with genuine, emotional moments that show a family separated before coming back together.

What made Big Jake one of the most beloved films of Wayne’s career was the combination of fight sequences and family drama that provided a gripping story throughout the film. The final rescue feels grand and epic, with life-and-death stakes and an epic battle in which Jake kills his enemy with a pitchfork in a brutal, gruesome finale. Wayne continues to turn back the clock and deliver a lively, energetic performance that can be compared to any other in his stellar career.

3

Rio Lobo (1970)

As Colonel Cord McNally

Howard Hawks’ Rio Lobo is the director’s third film in an unofficial trilogy of films (all starring Wayne) that show a small-town sheriff forced to defend his office against a violent local thug. In this film, Wayne plays Colonel Cord McNally, a Civil War veteran and old friend of the sheriff who seeks to bring justice to two traitors who sold their secret Union army to the Confederates. The film follows the story as he must recruit a ragtag team to hunt down and arrest the men responsible for modern crimes and his treacherous past.

Rio Lobo it’s expertly paced and directed, as tensions simmer seamlessly from the character’s past actions to the present day. Wayne delivers another compelling performance in a revenge-based narrative that often brings out the best in his acting style. Well-choreographed action sequences feel grand and realisticwith many tense points in the high-stakes drama, and while it is one of Wayne’s best films of the decade, it falls short of the impact and popularity of his best ’70s films.

2

The Cowboys (1972)

As Wil Anderson

Based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Dale Jennings, The cowboys sees Wayne star as veteran cattle rancher Wil Anderson alongside Roscoe Lee Browne and Bruce Dern. Anderson is preparing a massive cattle drive across the country and is forced to hire a group of local students to replace his usual team of farmers, who abandoned him for the gold rush. Wayne gives a typically standout performance as the mature, wise farmer who is forced into combat when a bandit named Longhair intends to attack his group and steal his livestock.

Wayne showcases his incredible acting range, playing a mentor, guardian and parental figure, showing a softer side than is typically presented in most of his other Western roles. His portrayal of Anderson is complex and layered, being a brutal gunslinger and fighter at one moment, while also demonstrating kindness, patience, and compassion when it comes to his young crew. Wayne gives one of the best performances of his career in a role that allows him to display a range of expressions and emotions, producing one of the best films of his career.

1

The Shooter (1976)

Like John Bernard “JB” books

The shooter follows the story of sheriff-turned-gunslinger “JB” Books, an elderly former police officer who discovers he has terminal cancer and only has weeks to live. Books has become a legendary gunslinger with a fierce reputation, having committed more than 30 murders in his life, and his career in law enforcement has made him many enemies, so his final days are spent fending off criminals and journalists seeking notoriety. Books uses his remaining time to organize a final epic shootout with three different men, all of whom have complaints about him, as his tombstone is delivered on the same day.

In a role that Wayne has expressed a strong desire to play, Books’ character study and excellent portrayal is one of the best in cinema. Wayne and Books share many parallels, with Wayne being diagnosed with lung cancer in 1964, and his health and illnesses during filming must have ironically mirrored his character’s weakened body at the same time. In what would end up being John Waynelast film appearance before his death in 1979his understated yet impactful performance would reflect his own legacy, with the film holding a special place in cinema history.