John Wayne vs Chuck Norris

[cageym]

I was watching the extras on the original True Grit DVD. At 61 an out of shape John Wayne, with only half a lung, was at 8,000 feet in Colorado filming a physically demanding movie, riding and shooting. Top that Chuck Norris!!!

[Legman688]

I was watching the extras on the original True Grit DVD. At 61 an out of shape John Wayne, with only half a lung, was at 8,000 feet in Colorado filming a physically demanding movie, riding and shooting. Top that Chuck Norris!!!

Oh, now you've gone and done it.

Well, since this thread is probably going to turn into the most epic flame war we've ever had, I might as well dump napalm on the fire.

*Dons Nomex firesuit, as if it's going to help.*

Jeff Bridges makes a better Rooster Cogburn than John Wayne.

Now hold on. At least let me explain before y'all burn me at the stake!

The problem is who John Wayne was. I simply cannot watch John Wayne play a drunken, foul-mouthed, over-the-hill lout and maintain suspension of disbelief. And it's not due to any lack of acting ability on his part, it's simply because we know that's as completely opposite of who John Wayne was as it's possible to get.

Jeff Bridges, on the other hand, playing a drunken foul-mouthed lout? 'Round here we call that 'Tuesday.' Eminently believable.

[tfbncc]

And just like that, Chuck Norris hits the mat and is completely forgotten.

[arctictom]

Yup , John Wayne playing a curmudgeonly and cranky old law man had the quintessential character and integrity to play Rooster Cogburn .
And Chuck Norris is in a entirely different world .

[Darrell]

Well said, Chris.

Plus, I gather John Wayne WAS quite the boozer back in the day. I've seen both versions of the movie, and prefer the original to the new one. Not even close. I've found that every Coen brothers movie I've watched, while enjoyable, makes me think, "I'm watching a Coen brothers movie." I never can seem to get past that.

[cageym]

John Wayne was the "Duke". The man bought a minesweeper to use as a yacht! He started in serials way back in the day and went from there. He is the most famous man in uniform that never actually wore one, who has never heard of him? And like Chris said, highly under rated as an actor. He even gave a great performance in "The Shootist", knowing he was dying at the time. Rooster got him his first Oscar. If you get a chance to see the extras on the DVD do it. Everyone that was in the film that they talked to said he was that genuine guy. Actors now are fake, they pull PR crap to get more media time. Duke wouldn't do that he did what he wanted. The screeen writer for True Grit was blacklisted for being a commie. She thought that since it was sent to Duke he would never make it, knowing his political bent. That says a lot about the man I think.

EDIT: BTW, I enjoyed the remake with Bridges. But it was nothing new, it seemed to me they just dusted off the old script mostly and made it more period authentic. But still not the Duke. And how many other major Hollywood stars made a movie about Vietnam when the war was going on with the US as the good guys? Shows some cajones I think.

[TheIrishman]

While I'll agree that Marion Morrison was a far better actor than Carlos Ray Norris(Let's face it, Chuck was a martial artist not an actor), I don't see "The Duke" beating Chuck anywhere but on screen. Think about it, Chuck is 71 YEARS OLD and still in better shape than many(many many many) half that, with the training and real experience to back it up.

[308Mike]

While I'll agree that Marion Morrison was a far better actor than Carlos Ray Norris(Let's face it, Chuck was a martial artist not an actor), I don't see "The Duke" beating Chuck anywhere but on screen. Think about it, Chuck is 71 YEARS OLD and still in better shape than many(many many many) half that, with the training and real experience to back it up.

Shiite, that OLD MAN is in FAR BETTER shape than I am right now at 51 years old.

[Rich]

While I'll agree that Marion Morrison was a far better actor than Carlos Ray Norris(Let's face it, Chuck was a martial artist not an actor), I don't see "The Duke" beating Chuck anywhere but on screen. Think about it, Chuck is 71 YEARS OLD and still in better shape than many(many many many) half that, with the training and real experience to back it up.

Shiite, that OLD MAN is in FAR BETTER shape than I am right now at 51 years old.

Chuck is 71?

Hell, I'm 71.

Should be a fair fight.

Right!

[Jericho941]

While I'll agree that Marion Morrison was a far better actor than Carlos Ray Norris(Let's face it, Chuck was a martial artist not an actor), I don't see "The Duke" beating Chuck anywhere but on screen. Think about it, Chuck is 71 YEARS OLD and still in better shape than many(many many many) half that, with the training and real experience to back it up.

Shiite, that OLD MAN is in FAR BETTER shape than I am right now at 51 years old.

Chuck is 71?

Hell, I'm 71.

Should be a fair fight.

Right!

I dunno...