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Showing a limited preview of this publication:. Abstract By studying three different versions of an American Western narrative, the novel True Grit and its cinematographic adaptations, the essay starts with the plurality of masculinities embodied within the genre to outline the specific reference points, frames, and tertia comparationis that organize and structure these and other male narratives in the 20 th and 21 st century. Published Online: That being said, they did impart some of their quintessential and defining strangeness onto the film.
For instance, that "Bear Man" scene was a Coen original. Also, during the triple hanging sequence, the Coens impart a bit of racial humor and horror. One of the men that is to be executed is an Indian; though all three are given the opportunity to offer some final words the order of which is swapped, but the content is generally the same , the Indian's final words are cut off by the dismissive executioner.
In the book, all three men are given the opportunity to talk in full, but the Coen Brothers' sense of dark comedy and social awareness comes through in this scene. While there are tonal inconsistencies scattered throughout the film version of True Grit when compared to both the novel and the Coen Brothers' adaptation more on that later , there are also several differences between the events of the two films. For instance, the opening murder of Mattie's father is portrayed differently in both movies.
In the first version, Frank played by John Pickard is seen with his family, establishing who he is and his special relationship with his eldest daughter Mattie Kim Darby. The audience also sees Tom Chaney Jeff Corey ride off with Ross, as Mattie rightfully expresses her skepticism towards the soon-to-be murderer's character. Though Portis' book also displays these opening scenes in flashback, in the Coen Brothers' movie , all of this exposition is cut out of the film.
Instead, their version opens up on Frank's corpse as Chaney Brolin, who cannot be seen gallops away on Ross' horse. Mattie's Steinfeld narration over the events matches that of the book's opening chapter. Similarly, the fate of the film's two oldest justice seekers, Rooster Cogburn and LaBeouf, are identical in both the movie and the book, but altered in the film.
In the older production, LaBeouf Campbell is struck on the back of the head by Chaney as he and Mattie await Rooster's return to the top of the canyon.
This happens again in the film, but while the Texas Ranger Damon is killed in his first onscreen presentation, he is left with a bad scar and a headache in the latter Rooster and Mattie abandon him in need. As for Cogburn, Wayne's version survives until the end of the film, and later stars in the aforementioned romantic spinoff. Bridges' does not get such a glorious send off; as seen in the film, the one-armed Mattie, now an old maid, ventures to see Cogburn for the first time since he saved her life all those years ago.
But Cogburn adopted an orange tabby he dubbed General Sterling Price. It gave the original a bit of a light-hearted edge. But La Boeuf has his own motivation for finding Chaney in the remake.
Again, this creates a different dynamic between the characters. Meanwhile, La Boeuf is doing his sworn duty. The Ranger is killed after getting his head bashed by a rock and saving Mattie and Cogburn from snakes. But in the remake, La Boeuf survives his encounter with Chaney. He and Mattie go their separate ways never to see each other again afterward.
Well, the original was a tad bit more gritty in this regard. That sets off her whole quest for vengeance and recruiting Cogburn.
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