MovieChat Forums > Red River (1948) Discussion > Could Matthew Garth Kill Dunston?

Could Matthew Garth Kill Dunston?

posted 17 years ago by louis-king
5 replies | jump to latest

Everyone has a problem with the ending. Dunston's 180 change of character doesn't ring true. I suspect the director and writer also had a problem.

Dunston would have had no problem killing Matthew, given his descent into near madness. I just don't see Matthew killing the father he loved. I also don't see Tess killing Dunston because then there's no way for Matthew to live with her afterwards.

Possible endings:

Dunston kills Matthew, then dies of his wounds; A true Shakespearean ending!

A wounded Cherry staggers back into the scene and kills Dunston; most likely ending.

Dunston kills Matthew, recovers from his wounds and persuades Tess to have his child.

Dunston and Matthew do not kill each other, but Tess decides to ride off with Cherry. (Actually, I think this is what happened offscreen).

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] RugGuy 17 years ago

I just swa saw RED RIVER for the first time. I agree Dunston's 180 change of character doesn't ring true.

Your proposed ending of a wounded Cherry staggering back into the scene and killing Dunston makes sense. However I never bought that Dunston could out draw Cherry. Cherry appeared to be evenly matched with Matt and Matt appears to have surpassed Dunston. Take into consideration the scene where matt outdraws Dunston to would Bunk and their ages.

So now I'm opting for your 4th choice Dunston and Matthew do not kill each other, but Tess decides to ride off with Cherry

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] knight_hawk2002 17 years ago

Unlikely that Cherry could kill John Wayne as he clearly is no match for him, regarding Matthew not only is John Wayne faster on the draw than him he's a better shot.

Watch the scene when Matthew and John Wayne draw against each other, John Wayne is only marginally slower while Matthew was holding the gun all the time.

[–] phillipsdan83 8 years ago

In the original scripted ending, Dunson is in fact fatally wounded by Cherry, who knows Matt could never shoot his foster father. Matt and Dunson kind of reconcile before the end, because Dunson still needs an heir, and he asks to be taken home to Texas to die there.