The Coen brothers keep insisting that their True Grit isn’t really a remake of the 1969 film starring John Wayne, but rather an adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel. So when you see certain scenes from the two films put side-by-side, as they are in this video clip, you can go one of two ways: (1) Of course it’s a remake — the dialog and set-up are practically identical; or (2) Wow, you couldn’t imagine two more divergent schools of artistic filmmaking.
Does this contrast make you nostalgic for the original — or embarrassed for it?
Read more:
John Wayne vs. Jeff Bridges: Which one has more true grit?
It aint a remake; that 2 flms based on the same book have similar or identical dialogue at times is a big deal is NOT a shocker.
The new one is better. Only old dried up people would think otherwise.
You have to realize that we “old dried up people” can sometimes be nostalgic. This original True Grit reminds me of my father and watching it with him on a Saturday afternoon. But also can’t wait to see the new one. Westerns are great, there should be more of them made, not just one every year or so.
Amanda, your immaturity is showing with your infantile response. We all may prefer one version over another for different reasons but our opinions are as valid as yours. But only those stuck in middle school mean girl spirit personally attack those with differing opinions. Please grow up and respect all who take the time to offer an opinion.
The old one is much better. Only a snot nosed kid would think otherwise. Watch a few decades of good cinema before you cast aspersions on your elders and betters.
I also am old and dried up (53) and also remember watching the original with my now 90 dad. When I told him about the new version he refused to see it until I told him Matt Damon was in it (he loves the Bourne movies). I am nostalgic about the old version (though not a JOhn wayne fan) but love the purity and simplicity and witty dialogue of the Cohen Bros.
Amanda Kiwinerd: If your generation is so talented and creative, then why can’t they come up with something original instead of re-hashing classics?
DANG. You just got served Amanda Kiwinerd. HAHA!
Have you even seen the original, Amanda? There are very few people better than John Wayne, and the ending of the remake was b*** s***. I’ll dry you out. Go back to your kiwis, you nerd.
You are not truly an American without respect for John Wayne and the original True Grit. Shame on you. Go away now.
John Wayne is my fav actor, did not and will not see the new true grit.
Then you are missing out. Sad to close yourself off from new experiences like that.
What are you, five?
I love John Wayne, but the 2010 version is much better.
Agreed. The 2010 version style seemed stilted by today’s standard, but compared to the old movie it is very natural. I don’t miss that old style at all.
Ditto on John Wayne, and ditto on the 2010 version.
The difference?
Hailee Steinfeld.
Simple:
So what if it is a remake? The new version is better, and if John Wayne is your favorite actor, you either haven’t seen a lot of films, or don’t understand that actors are supposed to become their characters and make you forget that you’re watching someone perform
In my opinion, that’s a pretty limited view of what acting is.
I think his point is good though-John Wayne never let you forget he was John Wayne, even when he trying to pretend to be someone else.
Ew I think your opinion of John Wayne’s acting is bullocks. He is was and always will be the best! Reason why his record for blockuster hit is STILL unsurpassed.
While I also prefer the new version of the film, I dislike your attitude about John Wayne’s acting abilty. I believe the performances that Ford and Hawkes got out of Wayne are some of the best ever captured on film, and while, yes the characters he played came across as iconic and bigger than life, this is what I think the film makers were going for, and therefore, why they used Wayne over and over, because he was the best at what he did. Plus, the man could wiggle his hairline!
Ew I think your opinion of John Wayne’s acting is bullocks. He is was and always will be the best! Reason why his record for blockuster hit is STILL unsurpassed.
Are you saying John Wayne didn’t perform?
The 1969 Mattie is just awful… and the book is all about Mattie. Although I do think Hailee’s performance is over-praised.
Amen. She’s just okay in the part. She read her lines competently, but I’m not sure what she would have done without a Coen brothers script.
What’s it matter what she would have done with a non Coen brothers script? That’s the script she was given and she did it very well. If you watch an interview with her (which I have), she put a lot of work into her audition- learning her lines and making sure she knew what she was saying even though it’s an old prose. I think she’d put a lot of work into any script-she just has that discipline.
I just watched the older version and while I love both movies, I give the edge to The Duke for his performance, but I love the newer Mattie.
Just from those clips they don’t compare…..the 1969 True Grit will sink…
It’s been over 40 yrs., and it hasn’t sunken yet. Let’s see if we’ll be saying the same about the new version in 40 yrs. I saw the remake when it first came out…and I’ve forgotten it already. You probably have too.
I love all old Westerns. John Wayne, being the iconic western man, was not the greatest actor..but he was the heart of the wild west. True Grit was always my favorite movie as a little kid growing up, to the point where I insisted on getting a kitten and naming it rooster. The 2010 adaptation of this movie, was the best I’ve seen in a decade. It’s not a remake as much as a recreation. It’s not Jeff Bridges Vs. John Wayne, but Jeff Bridges plays John Wayne playing Rooster Cogburn. If Duke was here today, I have no doubt in my mind he would LOVE the newer movie immensely. Mary, eat a dick!
Actually its a bit of Jeff Bridges playing the Dude playing John Wayne playing Rooster Cogburn.
Saw the old one on TNT this weekend, it was good but the new one is better. John Wayne is a legend and so is Jeff Bridges. Also the new girl Hailee (oscar nominated and she deserves it) is MUCH better
I read the book first, then saw the 2010 version and then original. The original was okay, I enjoyed John Wayne even though I’m not a fan but I love the newer version. Hallie was great as Mattie. The original Mattie left me irritated.
Plus I fell in love with the book and the newer version was more truer to it.
Oops, delete the “more”.
Interesting comment, since Charles Portis wrote the screenplay for the 1969 original film.
Who cast the original and thought “Glen Cambell and John Wayne, they go together”?
I’m pretty sure John Wayne hand-picked Glen Campbell. Campbell is the weak link in the movie, though Kim Darby is a close second.
John Wayne was my Favorite Actor but True Grit wasn’t even close to his best role! Glen Campbell stunk up the screen. New one better! McClintock better John Wayne!
Yes- I love McClintock!
They left out clips from ‘Winter’s Bone’. Nonetheless, apples and oranges eventually both ripen and rot.
It’s interesting comparing the musical scores of the two movies. I kinda forgot how distracting the music could be back then.
Or how forgettable music can be now.
oh yeah terry! I couldn’t agree more! That old true grit music is amazing… They use it all the time too.
I know everyone else has already said it, but Damon and Steinfeld >>>>>> Campbell and 1969 Mattie (she’s so bad, I don’t even feel like going on imdb to look up her name).
Also, the chicken noises in the new version from the one henchman right before the gunfight was a fun touch.
That “fun touch” was present in the 1969 version, and, if memory serves, the book.
That may be true, but I didn’t hear them in the 1969 version in this particular video.
This is actually a false argument. Of course, scenes of exposition and major plot points are going to appear almost identical in both versions if both are true to the source material. It’s how the filmmakers get from plot point A to plot point B that would be more illuminating with respect to remake/reimagining.
you’re so smart, you use such big words
i love when a##wipes (simple enough for you?) make fun of others for being able to articulate their point …