By '66, John Wayne had transcended being a "cowboy star" and had become the number one box office attraction in the country. The Duke's films in this period were often epics filled with old friends and up and coming stars. Such was EL DORADO, spotlighting Wayne with Robert Mitchum. The veterans included Arthur Hunnicut and Paul Fix. Newcomers were James Caan. Ed Asner and Christopher George. The film was written by sci-fi legend Leigh Brackett who would go on to write THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and it was directed by Howard Hawks who also gave the world the screwball comedy classic, BRINGING UP BABY.
It was basically an unofficial remake of "Rio Bravo," but it was still very entertaining.
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