Rooster Cogburn (1975)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(8,058 ratings)

John Wayne returned to the role that won him an Oscar in this sequel to the western classic True Grit. Rooster Cogburn (Wayne) has once again been stripped of his badge after some questionable behavior with his gun, but he's given the chance to earn it back after an especially appalling crime… More John Wayne returned to the role that won him an Oscar in this sequel to the western classic True Grit. Rooster Cogburn (Wayne) has once again been stripped of his badge after some questionable behavior with his gun, but he's given the chance to earn it back after an especially appalling crime demands an experienced lawman. A gang of violent and ruthless criminals, led by Hawk (Richard Jordan) and Breed (Anthony Zerbe), have stolen a shipment of explosive nitroglycerine and cut a swath through a village led by a preacher and his flock. The preacher died, along with many others, and his daughter, Eula Goodnight (Katharine Hepburn), is determined that the outlaws will be brought to justice. Cogburn is given the task of tracking down the criminals, but he's less than enthusiastic about the fact Goodnight insists on tagging along. Rooster Cogburn marked the first (and last) time John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn would work together on screen; it was also the final film from noted producer Hal Wallis. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 47 min.
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Mar 31, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A sort of controlled experiment in what happens when two completely incompatible movie stars occupy the same physical space.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A tired, formualic Western that reahashes elements of True Grit, John Wayne's Oscar-winning film, and The African Queen (Hepburn and Bogey), but it's the only teaming of the iconic Duke and Hepburn, so you may want to see it as a tribute to aging stars
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Not much to crow about.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

The star and main character of True Grit meets the star and character of The African Queen, and together, they pursue bad guys in the old west. This film is problematic on several levels. First, I've never been a fan of Katharine Hepburn.… More
The star and main character of True Grit meets the star and character of The African Queen, and together, they pursue bad guys in the old west. This film is problematic on several levels. First, I've never been a fan of Katharine Hepburn. Her voice sounds like a car that fails to turn over, and there isn't much variety - especially in this role - going on in her characters or how she embodies them. I know that Hepburn fans will bring up her classic roles in protest and say that I shouldn't blithely dismiss a so-called "screen legend," but I don't give a fuck. Here, she's annoying, and the film sympathizes with her character enough that I don't think the annoyance her character produces is always intentional. Second, as in most westerns, Native Americans and women are portrayed in uniformly subservient terms. Yes, Hepburn's character is occasionally put in a position of power and strength, but she is also de-sexualized - beyond childbearing age and constantly spouting pious jibber jabber. And of course, there is a Native boy whose only dream is to be a Marshall, but he fears that his Native-ness will get in the way, ignorant that a part of his job would be to "civilize" the "savages." Finally, the plot is basic and predictable. Eula and Rooster exchange barbs, and each gains a respect for the other in the end, and then bad guys are killed. Everything you thought would happen does. But what's at issue is the fact that we never think that either of the characters could be substantively changed by their interactions with each other. Rather, the dialogue becomes an exercise in vocalizing and characterization without real human interaction. Overall, I think if you enjoyed the characters in African Queen and True Grit, then you might enjoy seeing them again, like meeting old friends, but don't expect much in the way of a real, character-driven story.
jay n

Kate and Duke are surprisingly well matched in this unexceptional western elevated by their presence.
Tim S

A nice follow-up to the original True Grit, although it didn't feel quite as gritty. Rooster Cogburn as a character is a lot softer and more humane than he was he was in the first film, but the film is a lot of fun and, again, more akin to a road movie.
Conner R

Even better than True Grit, John Wayne is even better when he's paired with Katharine Hepburn. It's so hilarious to see a drunkard and a missionary bicker, especially when they have such amazing chemistry. This has better flow and a better plot, reflecting more of a western… More
Even better than True Grit, John Wayne is even better when he's paired with Katharine Hepburn. It's so hilarious to see a drunkard and a missionary bicker, especially when they have such amazing chemistry. This has better flow and a better plot, reflecting more of a western than drama. This has some great "gritty" shots and almost feels like what the first should have been. There's nothing more fun than seeing John Waye take down the bad guys.
Mister C

In this sequel to the 1969 Oscar winning western "True Grit",John Wayne returns in the role that won him the Oscar for Best Actor in 1969 for "True Grit" In this sequel,John Wayne returns as Rooster Cogburn,a eye-patched,whiskey guzzling,foul-mouthed U.S. Marshal… More
In this sequel to the 1969 Oscar winning western "True Grit",John Wayne returns in the role that won him the Oscar for Best Actor in 1969 for "True Grit" In this sequel,John Wayne returns as Rooster Cogburn,a eye-patched,whiskey guzzling,foul-mouthed U.S. Marshal who helps a bible-thumping missionary(Katherine Hepburn) avenge the death of her father for vicious outlaws,among them Richard Jordan,Anthony Zerbe,and Bruce Dern. Very enjoyable western,but in some aspects cheesy and over the top acting from both John Wayne and Katherine Hepburn in their first and only pairing together in this movie. This didn't have the firepower or the excitement that made "True Grit" a huge hit,but the sequel to this basicallly falls flat,and comes up short. Produced by Hal B. Wallis for Universal Pictures in 1975
Tom E

I never thought I'd see Kate in a western, but she was classic, as usual --
Dean M

Okay, so this sequel to True Grif is only The African Queen reworked, with John Wayne playing the Humphrey Bogart part opposite the incomparable Katharine Hepburn, but I like - no, love it. Watching these two professionals playing off each other… More
Okay, so this sequel to True Grif is only The African Queen reworked, with John Wayne playing the Humphrey Bogart part opposite the incomparable Katharine Hepburn, but I like - no, love it. Watching these two professionals playing off each other is what movie watching is all about. The plot? Well, it's not much, but the scenes with Wayne and Hepburn are, as indicated, priceless.
xGary X

Irrelevant sequel to True Grit, this is worth watching only for Katharine Hepburn's crotchety old maid's entertainingly snide remarks.
Jeffrey M

It's not in the same league as its' predecessor, True Grit, but Rooster Cogburn works well as a sequel, and is generally well executed. It does tend to rely too often on harkening back to True Grit, but ultimately the pairing between Wayne and Hepburn gives the film a good… More
It's not in the same league as its' predecessor, True Grit, but Rooster Cogburn works well as a sequel, and is generally well executed. It does tend to rely too often on harkening back to True Grit, but ultimately the pairing between Wayne and Hepburn gives the film a good charm and chemistry, elevating the material to make it an enjoyable, if not unique, Western.
Barry L

Absolute classic.