Tarantino’s "Hangout Movie": Why "Rio Bravo" Still Resonates | Andrew Patrick Nelson

I spoke with the legendary Andrew Patrick Nelson, film historian and chief curator of Western Spirit, Scottsdale's Museum of the West.
Discover why "Rio Bravo" is more than just a Western-it’s a cinematic response to the Hollywood politics of its time and a favorite of director Quentin Tarantino, who calls it his ultimate “hangout movie.” Directed by Howard Hawks, this 1959 John Wayne classic was crafted as a deliberate counterpoint to "High Noon," a film that both Hawks and Wayne saw as undermining traditional Western heroism. Instead of a sheriff abandoned by his town, Rio Bravo features a self-reliant team of professionals who stand together against the odds.
Join us as we explore the film’s unique charm, its subtle but sharp commentary on loyalty and self-reliance, and how it flipped Hollywood’s political scripts in an unforgettable way. Featuring legendary performances by Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, and Walter Brennan, "Rio Bravo" set a new standard in Westerns and left a lasting legacy.