John Wayne‘s acting in these two scenes is absolutely world-class. No one else could’ve played them as well. Wayne’s timing is impeccable — he doesn’t rush his dialogue or under-deliver to the slightest degree. He drawls the words out just fine…plain and steady.
“Cherry was right…you’re soft. You shoulda let ’em kill me ’cause I’m gonna kill you. I’ll catch up with ya. I don’t know when but I’ll catch up. Every time you turn around, expect to see me. ‘Cause one time you’ll turn around and I’ll be there. [Voice softens, approaching a whisper] Gonna kill ya, Matt.”
And my God, Russell Harlan‘s decision to use a modest left-to-right tracking shot…a slow rightward arc as the wounded Wayne, leaning upon his horse, watches the men and his herd head off to Abilene. And then Dimitri Tiomkin‘s music floods in.
One of the most stirring black-and-white shots I’ve ever witnessed, in a western or any other genre.
Howard Hawks‘ rugged 1948 film came to mind during my very first drive from Hanoi airport to downtown, back in 2012. As we sped across a large elevated bridge the driver pointed to a huge river below and said “Red Rivah.” It felt so good, so satisfying to hear that.