Not on DVD yet. I would call it interesting just because it exists. Not that good of a movie but still worth a watch.
I remember this movie. Someone trying to further Darby’s and Campbell’s acting career. Didn’t work: they were both bad actors. But there was a tradition of casting young singers in John Wayne movies to bring in the youngsters. Think Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo.
Mia Farrow was considered for Mattie but I always thought Sally Field would have worked out well. She’s a genuine actress. Over all, I love the movie. You get Jeff Corey whining and sniveling, Strother Martin at his very best and Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper. And then the Duke in the part of a lifetime. (And remember Judge Parker popping a peppermint before passing a death sentence, lol!?)
I’m also a huge fan of the book. Charles Portis writes in the voice of a religious, one-armed, miserly woman of true grit. The stilted dialogue has always rang true to me.