MovieChat Forums > Red River (1948) Discussion > Monty bitch-slapping The Duke

Monty bitch-slapping The Duke

posted 12 years ago by rockettojendell
6 replies | jump to latest

Let me just say that I loved this movie, even with all the Indian stereotypes (you have to accept older movies for what they are in that respect)... It was action-packed but also with some good laughs. I loved the whole bit with the gambled teeth and the Indian saying "now my name Two-Jawed" something or other. But nothing prepared me for when Montgomery Clift just hauled off and bitch-slapped John Wayne!! I had to review that part a few times!! And for me it just goes to further validate Monty's prowess as an actor because being SO very handsome (beautiful, really), and not being a very big guy, it would be pretty tough for most to pull off a "tough guy" role like he did. Yet he did it marvelously!! The bitch-slap, even as funny as it was came across as totally believable. He commands respect without having to try, in a dignified kind of way. Even enough for a big tough fellow like John Wayne to take note! Bravo!

*Only when you've lit a light for yourself can it shine for others too.*

[–] c7c7c7r 12 years ago

When Clift finally decks Wayne? He really slugs him--it wasn't a 'bitch-slap',but an old fashion Western punch. (Unless you're dissing Wayne, of course.) But Wayne's acting was really good here. Almost up to Clift's. But not quite.

[–] rockettojendell 12 years ago

Oh I meant no disrespect to anyone! I just thought it was funny, that's all. And really respectable, too. I agree that it was a real good old fashioned punch, and Clift really pulled it off! Wayne commands respect just by looking at him. He has the whole "tough cowboy" image. Whereas Clift, if you know nothing about him, could just be seen as a "pretty face"...but he has real PRESENCE. And not just in this movie. That's what I found so enjoyable about that moment. I don't think many other people, with Clift's boyish good looks could have pulled something like that off. It just speaks volumes about his acting ability. I greatly admire Montgomery Clift, and meant no diss to him nor how he punches John Wayne. I also respect John Wayne as an actor, and meant no disrespect to him, either. I really liked this whole movie, and the buildup to that moment...you know Clift's character is finally gonna stand up to him, you can feel the tension building, but you don't know how he's gonna do it. And then, SLUG-O! It caught me totally off-guard, and had such an energy to it, I had to re-watch that scene a few times. Monty was superb. :-)

*Only when you've lit a light for yourself can it shine for others too.*

[–] joeparkson 12 years ago

Dunson looked pretty surprised as well, like "I didn't know he could hit that hard."

Absurdity: A Statement or belief inconsistent with my opinion.

[–] rtw416 10 years ago

Dunson looked surprised,cause Ford didn't tell Wayne it was coming....Clift was the only one who knew

[–] Forlorn_Rage 8 years ago

Dunson looked surprised,cause Ford didn't tell Wayne it was coming....Clift was the only one who knew

... Did you mean to say mean Hawks didn't tell Duke "it was coming"?

[–] telegonus (739) 4 months ago

I agree wholeheartedly. Monty Clift was one of the best screen actors ever. He brought authenticity to everything he did. Just by the way he looks, and on paper, he was the world's most unlikely cowboy, yet I find him believable every step of the way in Red River.