MovieChat Forums > Red River (1948) Discussion > Who thinks Dunson was right in this movi...

Who thinks Dunson was right in this movie?


I mean, it recently occured to me that he was making the safe choice to drive the cattle to a city where he KNEW there was a railroad and buyers.

Matt would've been completely screwed if, when he got to Abilene, it turned out the rumors of a railroad were wrong.

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I don't think the issue was whether he was right or wrong; it was that he stepped over the line dealing with his men. You have a good point about the choice of destination, except for one thing - the thought I had during the movie - WHY would anyone start a false rumor that the railroad was in Abilene? It just wouldn't make sense.

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I agree that Matt's choice made sense from a logical stand point and, yes, you're right in pointing out that, eventually Dunson's obsession and mistreatment of the men took precedence but, still, every time I see this movie I realize I would NEVER have had the nerve to take a chance on Abilene if I had been in Matt's place. I mean, I'm not sure I could trust what might've just been hearsay told over a few drinks in a saloon.

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Dunson wasn't ging to kill Matthew for diverting to Abilene but for challenging and usurping his authority.

I thought Dunson was amoral from the very start of the film. A rapacious marauder.

I'm a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl

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I think Matt didn’t think he could hold on to what remained of the men all the way to Missouri. Heading to Abilene was a calculated risk on his part.

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