There have been something like five versions of this film (not all with the same title) and the earliest versions were silent films. Because of this, this movie is far from original and it also doesn't stack up all that well compared to the 1936 version with Lewis Stone, Walter Brennan and Chester Morris. Had I not seen this 1936 version also, I might have rated the 1948 one much higher.
So why did I much prefer the 1936 film? Well, probably the biggest reason is that the mood of the '36 flick was much more somber and grittier--therefore a lot more believable. In contrast, the 1948 film was all sentimentality and pulled its punches to make an "inspiring film" (yuck). For example, Chester Morris' character was much meaner and more like a real bandit--so you were never positive that he wouldn't just leave the baby to die or kill his other gang members. In contrast, John Wayne just seemed to be walking through this same role--more or less playing himself and adding nothing to the part. ALL of the bandits seemed too nice to be real bandits. Another example of the mood is that the 1948 film was almost a comedy--with an inappropriately light mood at times. How can they make jokes or laugh when it seems obvious from early on that they probably won't survive?! The other main reason I disliked this film compared to the last version was because of the ending. The 1936 one was tough and unforgiving, whereas with the 1948 one it ended happily! The bottom line is that while I love John Ford Westerns, this one is so listless and ridiculous that it was a real letdown. It's still worth seeing, but took no risks and offered no improvement over the last version.
So why did I much prefer the 1936 film? Well, probably the biggest reason is that the mood of the '36 flick was much more somber and grittier--therefore a lot more believable. In contrast, the 1948 film was all sentimentality and pulled its punches to make an "inspiring film" (yuck). For example, Chester Morris' character was much meaner and more like a real bandit--so you were never positive that he wouldn't just leave the baby to die or kill his other gang members. In contrast, John Wayne just seemed to be walking through this same role--more or less playing himself and adding nothing to the part. ALL of the bandits seemed too nice to be real bandits. Another example of the mood is that the 1948 film was almost a comedy--with an inappropriately light mood at times. How can they make jokes or laugh when it seems obvious from early on that they probably won't survive?! The other main reason I disliked this film compared to the last version was because of the ending. The 1936 one was tough and unforgiving, whereas with the 1948 one it ended happily! The bottom line is that while I love John Ford Westerns, this one is so listless and ridiculous that it was a real letdown. It's still worth seeing, but took no risks and offered no improvement over the last version.