Why John Wayne Refused a Classic War Film Featuring Ernest Borgnine and Charles Bronson Due to a Controversial Storyline

John Wayne, renowned for his iconic roles during the “Golden Age of Westerns,”often expressed frustration with the repetitive nature of his characters. Despite this, his strong moral principles prompted him to decline a pivotal role in the critically acclaimed film, The Dirty Dozen. His filmography, predominantly composed of Westerns, occasionally intersected with powerful war movies, where he typically portrayed an unwavering hero. Indeed, many of Wayne’s most memorable performances align with the patriotic motifs reflective of the eras in which the films were made.

In films such as Flying Tigers and The Longest Day, Wayne often embodied authority figures with strong patriotic convictions. Notably, the character of Major Reisman in The Dirty Dozen presented Wayne with the opportunity to portray a war hero tasked with a critical mission. Surprisingly, he chose to pass on this role, opting instead for another war film.

Reasons Behind Wayne’s Decision to Reject the Role

Missed Opportunity: Major Reisman and the Potential Career Shift

The cast of The Dirty Dozen smiling in the back of a truck

Major John Reisman serves as the primary character in The Dirty Dozen, distinguished by his numerous accolades for military service. However, the character’s narrative included significant flaws, such as engaging in an extramarital affair with a soldier’s wife. According to the biography John Wayne: American, Wayne found the concept of dishonoring a fellow soldier distasteful and noted that Reisman’s lack of remorse was particularly troubling. Although he acknowledged the character’s appeal, Wayne even proposed revisions to producer Ken Hyman to mitigate the more troubling aspects of Reisman’s storyline.

Throughout his illustrious career, Wayne starred in some of the most significant D-Day films, consistently drawing audiences with his name alone. Nevertheless, he began to feel weary of being typecast, openly admitting that his role in True Grit represented “his first good part in 20 years”(source: rogerebert.com). Taking on a character as morally ambiguous as Major Reisman could have been a refreshing challenge, potentially showcasing Wayne’s versatility to casting directors and averting a subsequent career slump.

Consequences of Wayne’s Choice: A Shift from The Dirty Dozen to The Green Berets

A Different Narrative: Wayne’s Impact on The Dirty Dozen

Ultimately, even after proposals to revise the script and eliminate Reisman’s extramarital relationships, Wayne still declined the role, favoring the chance to produce a movie centered on the Vietnam War. This decision led him to star in The Green Berets, which faced significant backlash and was criticized for its overt nationalism, amidst the ongoing conflict. Roger Ebert infamously rated the film a mere zero stars out of five, deeming it a blatant piece of propaganda that overlooked the complexities associated with the Vietnam War.

Comparative Analysis: The Dirty Dozen vs. The Green Berets
Title	Year	Budget	Box Office	Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Dirty Dozen	1967	$5.4 million	$45.3 million	82%	90%
The Green Berets	1968	$7 million	$32 million	23%	61%

Despite being directed by skilled filmmakers and featuring a prominent cast, The Dirty Dozen thrived on its ensemble of antiheroes, while Wayne’s characters often adhered to more traditional heroic archetypes. Should Wayne have taken on the role of Reisman, the film might have been rebranded as another conventional “John Wayne movie,”possibly diluting its innovative edge. Ultimately, Wayne’s decision not to join the cast contributed to the film’s unique resonance and ensured its legacy as a classic war film.

Sources: John Wayne: American, rogerebert.com

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