Based on Charles Portis’ 1968 novel, the original True Grit is famous for John Wayne’s Oscar-winning performance where, during a galloping sequence, he shoots from a gun in each hand with the reins in his teeth. The 2010 remake stars Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon – and horses once again play a central role.
‘TRUE GRIT’ – 2010
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon
The original 1969 version of True Grit starred John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, an uncouth one-eyed US marshal. It is famous for the galloping sequence where he shoots from a gun in each hand with the reins in his teeth. (He won an Oscar for his performance).
The Coen Brothers cast Jeff Bridges as the lead in their remake 40 years later. (He was nominated for an Oscar, however it went to Colin Firth for The King’s Speech).
The plot of this western is based on Charles Portis’ novel True Grit published in 1968. Cogburn is approached by 14-year-old Mattie Ross (played by Hailee Steinfeld. She auditioned eight times before landing the role). The persistent teenager is determined to avenge her father’s murder by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). After he finally agrees, Cogburn can’t dissuade her from coming with him even into Indian territory where they’re joined by Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon).
TRIVIA:
In the original ‘True Grit’, stuntman and actor Jim Burk performed the entire scene where Rooster Cogburn charges on horseback. Wayne was riding on a trailer not a horse and is only seen in close-ups. For 30 years Burk trained falling horses for westerns and cavalry films. He worked on a dozen movies with Wayne.
The picture’s head wrangler, Rusty Hendrickson, who’s been in the business for decades, worked as a trainer and stuntman. For Bridges he selected the chestnut ‘Apollo’, his own quarter horse with a wide stripe and white rear stockings. Bred to be a halter horse, Hendrickson described him as “big, quiet and gentle”.
In the scene where Bridges’ horse is shot and drops on to his rider, Apollo was doubled by falling horse Wonderbread, trained by a stuntman who also doubled for the star. Then in the following close-up sequences, Apollo was used and Bridges himself was pinned underneath him.
For Matt Damon a roan Appaloosa was chosen named Cowboy. Found in New Mexico it was a lack of reaction to gunfire which secured his role.
The most exceptional horses were the two playing the girl’s Little Blackie. In the film’s introductory frames, the spirited and refined Ribbon was used (he’d starred in 2006’s Flicka); and he was replaced in many other sequences by Cimarron, a quiet, sturdy quarter horse.
Scenes where Hailee had to ride Little Blackie across a wide river were tricky to do; fortunately, both black horses were willing and able swimmers. In these water scenes a stuntwoman doubled for her, and during close-up camera work the young actress held on to a mechanical horse which was much safer and steadier.
During filming Bridges did much of his own riding, especially that famous a “no-hands” scene. He told Cowboys & Indians magazine that when he was first approached to play Cogburn he didn’t understand why the brothers wanted to remake it. They asked if he’d ever read the book.
“I hadn’t, but when I did it was just like a Coens’ script. It was wonderful to read and I think they did a helluva job on that movie.”
When asked if it was fun to act on a horse, he agreed it was. “Especially when it’s a real one,” added Bridges. “You know in westerns often the actors sit on ladders and pretend.
“The first time I saw that was when I was about seven visiting my father (Lloyd Bridges) on a western set. I see dad and three or four other guys all perched on these ladders, bobbing away with reins coming up into their hands. I laughed so hard I was taken away!
“And there were a few of us up on ladders when we were making True Grit.”
But Bridges did the famous scene from the back of Apollo. “The directors asked if I thought I could really ride while shooting guns with the reins in my teeth. ‘I’ll try that’ I said, and that was way more fun.”
Although he did admit being somewhat anxious on the day the action was to be filmed: “I do ride myself, but not with my teeth, but we did it that way and it wasn’t as tough as I thought. It was kind of cool and the horse kept with the rhythm very well.”
TRIVIA
Actor Jeff Daniels, who recently won an Emmy for outstanding actor in the limited series ‘Godless’ stated that young actors should never say they can ride when they can’t. During his acceptance speech he acknowledged Apollo, thanking him for putting up with his inexperience – at least for a bit. The horse then threw off Daniels several times, resulting in the actor breaking his left wrist on the third occasion. “He was Jeff Bridges’ horse on ‘True Grit,’ and I felt he was making unfair comparisons,” he joked.
At the end of the film the two black horses were used in scenes which upset viewers who believe everything they were witnessing on the screen was real. Bridges has to save the young girl who has been bitten by a rattlesnake. Hoisting her across the saddle he gallops all through the night to get help. The horse collapses from exhaustion and is shot (that action was filmed on a soundstage). He carries the girl the rest of the way to safety at an outpost.
The reality was these sequences were filmed with both Ribbon and Cimarron over three months in various locations and conditions. They were sprayed with water and horse shampoo so they looked to be soaked in sweat. Their laboured breathing was enhanced on the soundtrack in post-production. A mechanical horse attached to a camera car was ridden by the actors during their close-ups.
Horsemaster Hendrickson was reported to appreciate the way the picture was directed. “The Coens were always willing to realign their expectations with what was realistic and natural for the horses, and always asking how they were. They were good to work with. “
And the American Humane Association gave the production 10 out of 10 for the great care taken to protect the animals.
True Grit can be viewed on various streaming services and on DVD and Blue-ray.
Next time in Horses and Movies, A Horse Named Winx, directed and produced by Janine Hosking, written and narrated by Andrew Rule. EQ
