Parents' Guide to

True Grit (1969)

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Classic Western has memorable characters, some gun violence.

Movie G 1969 128 minutes
True Grit (1969) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 11+

Stereotypes and Racism abound

I wish I had known and been told about the racial stereotypes for persons of Asian culture (John wayne’s “Nephew”), native Americans treated as ignorant and spoken of as scalped is “best”, and women in the hierarchy of patriarchy with their gender roles of serving “their man”. Parents should be aware and ready to discuss these teachable moments with their children. We all need to do our parts to teach history and HOW it has been told through only ONE perspective, a A white, cisgendered, male.
1 person found this helpful.
age 12+

Good Western Is Fine For Tweens

Parents should know that, though not as violent as the remake, this movie still has the finger-chopping scene, some (mostly) bloodless gun-play, and infrequent mild profanity. Also, the remake is objectively better quality-wise.

This title has:

Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (3):

This is a classic, old-school, American Western in every sense of the word. True Grit combines action, humor, suspense, fascinating characters, and spectacular landscapes into a movie that celebrates a unique mythology in U.S. history and in movies. After decades as a top box-office draw, John Wayne was finally given a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn. Kim Darby as Mattie is a relatable but remarkable teen who proves her mettle. Big kids and up will enjoy watching her putting her elders in their place as she more than holds her own. It's a great way to introduce a new generation to the Western genre, and to the movie legend known as The Duke.

Movie Details

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