John Wayne’s Personal Top 5 Roles Excludes His Oscar-Winning Film from 1969

Legendary actor John Wayne had a remarkable career spanning decades, featuring a plethora of iconic films. However, when asked to list his personal top five favorites from his extensive repertoire, he notably excluded his Academy Award-winning performance in the 1969 classic, True Grit. Throughout his lifetime, Wayne starred in cinematic masterpieces, including Big Jake, El Dorado, and participated in epic ensemble casts in films like The Longest Day and How the West Was Won.

Among his numerous celebrated performances, Wayne shared the screen with fellow legend Jimmy Stewart in the poignant western drama, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. He also featured in Rio Bravo, an influential film celebrated for its character-driven narrative, which was a direct response to Gary Cooper’s portrayal of cowardice in High Noon. Yet, surprisingly, Wayne’s list omitted the very film that earned him an Oscar: True Grit.

John Wayne’s Favorite Roles: The Oscar-Winner Excluded

Wayne’s Preference for Other Westerns

In a candid 1971 interview with Playboy, following his Academy Award win, Wayne was queried about whether he regarded True Grit as his best film. His response was strikingly dismissive: “No, I don’t.” Instead, he highlighted his top five films as follows:

Stagecoach (John Ford, 1939)
Red River (Howard Hawks, 1948)
The Searchers (John Ford, 1956)
The Quiet Man (John Ford, 1952)
The Long Voyage Home (John Ford, 1940)

The selection of Stagecoach marked a pivotal moment for Wayne, shaping his iconic heroic persona and establishing key western movie conventions. In The Searchers, he embarked on a journey into darker territory, reminiscent of the complexities of his role in True Grit. Notably, Red River has left a lasting impact on cinematic history, while The Quiet Man showcases a lighter, comedic side of Wayne, contrasting with the typical western themes. Furthermore, The Long Voyage Home is recognized among cinematography students for its artistic merits.

The Case for True Grit as One of Wayne’s Top Five

Rooster Cogburn: A Pinnacle of Character Depth

While the five films Wayne listed are undoubtedly exceptional, True Grit deserves a significant place in his filmography. In this film, Wayne dramatically departed from his traditionally heroic roles, embracing the complex character of Rooster Cogburn, a hard-drinking and reluctant antihero. His evolving relationship with Mattie Ross infuses True Grit with deep emotional resonance, rivaling the sentiments found in The Cowboys and The Shootist.

For more insights, check out the original source: Far Out Magazine.

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