39 Years Ago: How an Action Film Paid Homage to John Wayne
Released in 1987, this action film featuring Mel Gibson drew inspiration from John Wayne's westerns, as acknowledged by its director!
In 1987, an action film starring Mel Gibson drew significant inspiration from the classic westerns of John Wayne, a fact openly acknowledged by its director.
The influence of John Wayne's iconic westerns can be seen in the original installment of the Lethal Weapon franchise. Richard Donner, the director of all four films, discussed this connection in an interview from the same year the first film was released.
John Wayne's Legacy in Action
Warner Bros.
Lethal Weapon follows the partnership of two cops: Martin Riggs, played by Mel Gibson, who is a reckless officer willing to risk everything, and Roger Murtaugh, portrayed by Danny Glover, who is nearing retirement and feels he is "too old for this shit."
In the 1987 interview with the Times, Donner revealed that the original screenplay by Shane Black included graphic scenes where "heads were blown off in a spray of blood" during action sequences. However, the director opted to tone down the violence to focus more on the narrative, incorporating elements reminiscent of John Wayne's films, as highlighted by Far Out.
A Western Fan's Influence
Donner expressed his admiration for classic westerns, stating, "I idolize the old westerns. When I read the script, I did a lot of research on good old John Wayne. The final fight between Mel Gibson and Gary Busey features some moves that fans of John Wayne will recognize directly from Red River."
Indeed, in the 1948 western directed by Howard Hawks, characters played by Montgomery Clift and John Wayne engage in a climactic physical confrontation after a build-up of tension. This showdown can be likened to the rain-soaked battle between Martin Riggs and Joshua at the end of Lethal Weapon.
For those interested in comparing scenes from Red River with Donner's film, the Lethal Weapon series, including its sequels, is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.
The first Lethal Weapon film, which softened its graphic violence and leaned into the style of John Wayne's movies, was a commercial success, grossing $120 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $15 million. This success naturally led to the production of three sequels.
Additionally, a television series adaptation of Lethal Weapon was also released, which generated discussions at the time of its debut.
