El Dorado DVD > Reviews > One of the best westerns ever made

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	See how Westerns should be made
Disadvantages:	None at all

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

El Dorado will appeal to all types - those who like action and gung-ho shooting, to those who like romance and drama. What I am in other words saying is that this film has a bit of everything all blended into one to create, in my opinion, the perfect western. And if that wasn't all it has some superb actors to drive it along - such as the legendary John Wayne and Robert Mitchum who both give heart-wrenching performances.
This film is centered around a cowboy by the name of Cole Thornton (played by Wayne) who rejects an offer to be taken on by Bart Jason, who wants him to wage war ,as it were, against the MacDonald family. Thornton then goes in search of another job and teams up with a knife-throwing kid and together, with the help of a drunk sheriff (Mitchum) and another trusty cowboy pit themselves against Bart Jason and his gang who are up to no good. An excellent plot and extremely well executed with some good rootin'-tootin' shootin' alongside romantic traumas and fantasies and a good and varied range of characters.
This film is a good length, about 2 hours, not too short or too long, but while watching it feels a lot longer as there is so much which happens inside the film to please any critic.
The director makes sure you get to know each character well, meaning one gets more intimate with the film which is always a good technique. The film does not lack humour or wit, as the writers ensure that there are some jokey characters for the more jolly side of the film.
If you are a Western fanatic then look no further than this film as it entails everything one could wish for in a film - let alone a Western.
With its occassional twist and moment of suspense it certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat and this will grip you from start to finish - guaranteed, or your money back.