John Wayne’s Least Favorite Western – Do You Agree With Him?

With almost a hundred westerns to his name, John Wayne is a stalwart of the genre. His career spanned both its heydays and its decline, over a period of more than 40 years, during which he became a legendary figure. However, one film in particular did not meet his approval: “Cahill U.S. Marshal,” directed by Andrew V. McLaglen.

Was John Wayne Underperforming?

The plot follows young Daniel Cahill, who is arrested for drunkenness and causing $37 worth of damage to a saloon. He ends up in a cell with three criminals who persuade him to break out and rob a bank, only to return to his cell afterward as if nothing happened. Daniel’s father, Marshal J.D. Cahill, returns to town with criminals he had been pursuing. Upon discovering the bank robbery, he starts an investigation and appoints Daniel as his deputy.

At the time of filming, John Wayne was not in his best form and no longer the box office king, though he still had a strong fan base. “Cahill U.S. Marshal” is a quintessential “John Wayne Movie,” showcasing him as invincible (never shown needing medical attention despite injuries), strong-willed, and unyielding, despite his age (Wayne was 66 years old).

It is noticeable, however, that the actor no longer rides horses in wide shots (where a double is clearly used) and is limited to appearing in close-up shots already mounted on a horse at the start of the scene. This was likely due to difficulties in mounting the horse.

A film not really well made

Produced by Wayne himself, upon its release, “Cahill U.S. Marshal” was criticized by some American critics, including the New York Times, which commented: “Perhaps recognizing their star’s new limitations, they spend a lot of time trying to turn a conventional western into a children-in-peril film”, adding: “[the children] are terrorized by the robbers they once assisted, in situations loosely borrowed from Tom Sawyer, but lacking genuine spirit or feeling.”

In a 1975 interview found by Tony Macklin and reported by SlashFilm, John Wayne himself stated: “It was just a film not really well made. It needed better writing and more careful production.”

It’s true that John Wayne appears less in this film, as the signs of aging are apparent, and he seems somewhat isolated on screen.

“Cahill U.S. Marshal,” like its predecessors “Big Jake” (1971) and “The Cowboys” (1972), explores themes of fatherhood, the absence of a father engrossed in his work, reflecting perhaps the actor’s own contemplations on balancing personal life and professional commitments over the decades. Is it really fair to dismiss it as a poor John Wayne film? It’s up to the audience to decide!