Chimney Peak (aka Chimney Rock), near Ridgway, Colo., shown in my previous post, was the backdrop for the famous shootout scene in the original True Grit (1969). Much of the film was shot in this part of Colorado. In this video about the movie’s locations, Chimney Peak can be seen in the opening and again beginning at 6:22:
This location should not be confused with the archeological site near Durango, Colo., that was designated Chimney Rock National Monument in 2012.
Chimney Rock looks to me like Devils Tower after the aliens got through with it…
😛
It does look kind of beat up by comparison, doesn’t it?
Yes, I believe it is the same location Spielberg used for Close Encounters. It does kind of ruin the True Grit pathos for me to wait for Richard Dreyfus and the aliens to arrive.
Oh no, aliens in my aspen? Perish the thought.
I really enjoyed the clip, PT. In addition to reliving the excellent conclusion of the movie it gave me an appreciation for the great attention to detail required in making modern settings retro.
I was also reminded of the settings in so many of the oaters I saw in my youth. That same patch of dry rocks seemed to appear in at least half of them, and probably did. It was probably not far from Hollywood.
Not sure which “patch of dry rocks” you’re referring to, but if there was a location near Hollywood that looked like the Old West, I’m sure it was used repeatedly. I enjoyed the John Ford movies filmed in Monument Valley. To me, those were the classic, stereotypical Westerns.
Coincidentally, the newer True Grit with Jeff Bridges aired yesterday and I got to see the story again. I love the bearded gruff character that Bridges is today, but to me John Wayne will always be the real Rooster Cogburn.
Vasquez rock or Gorn rock outside LA.
Both “True Grits” were great entertainment. We agree with you that the original had a slight edge.
I’ve lived long enough to see a lot of movies get remade. And I can’t think of a time I thought the remake was better, or even as good. I don’t know if it’s because the remakes really are inferior or if it’s just some psychological thing about preferring the one I saw first.
With the yellow aspens, wow, that really IS the True Grit location. Never thought about it from the previous post & photo. Was humming the music off and on today and with each viewing, still hope Glen Campbell will make it out… can’t help it 🙂
🙂
“How The West Was Won” was filmed there years earlier.
I’m not surprised. If you’re going to spend all that money making a movie, you want it to look good!