Red River

It's mutiny on the cattle drive when irascible, ironfisted trail boss Tom Dunson (John Wayne) relentlessly brutalizes his drovers, causing adopted son Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift, in his first film appearance) to intercede and take charge. Tom vows vengeance for Matt's unpardonable offense, leading to the quintessential Western showdown. Walter Brennan costars as the ornery camp cook in director Howard Hawks' immortal sagebrush saga.