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

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age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

CaringandAware
CaringandAware Adult
December 31, 2020
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.
langston W.
langston W. Adult
June 23, 2020
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
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) needs to find someone with TRUE GRIT to help her track down Tom Chaney, the man who killed her father, so that she can see justice done. She hears that U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne) can get the job done, so she hires Cogburn to set out into Indian Territory to find the villain. Joining their search is Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), who's also after Chaney for other crimes. The three companions eventually show how much grit they really have, but is it enough to see justice done, and to live to tell the tale?

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Westerns like True Grit were once so popular in movies and on TV. Are they as popular now? Why or why not?

  • What makes Mattie such an unusual character? What do you like about her? Is she a realistic character?

  • What does it mean to have "true grit?" Which characters have it, and how can you tell?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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