If you’re looking for a quirky, offbeat, and fun movie to watch, look no further than Rooster Cogburn. But, do you know where was the movie Rooster Cogburn filmed? Well, this 1975 classic was filmed in Austin, Texas, and is definitely worth a watch!
Not only does the film boast an incredible cast of characters, but it also features some amazing scenery and locations. So if you’re interested to learn in detail about these film locations, be sure to check the entire blog!
Table of Contents
Rooster Cogburn: Movie Plot
The film is about a one-eyed lawman nearing retirement who has had his badge revoked for a series of ordinary arrests that culminated in murder. He is tasked with catching bank robbers who have stolen a wagon load of nitroglycerin in order to reclaim his badge. A spinster looking for her father’s murderer assists him in his search. Rooster Cogburn is the sequel to the 1969 film True Grit.
Cast & Crew
John Wayne reprises his role as U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn in Stuart Millar’s 1975 American Western film. Katharine Hepburn and Marshal Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn. Based on the character Rooster Cogburn, developed by Charles McColl Portis in his 1968 Western book True Grit, this story was written by Martha Hyer.
Rooster Cogburn was the final film from producer Wallis, and the cinematography was by Harry Stradling Jr.
Shanghai McCoy was played by Strother Martin, a well-known character actor who also appeared in True Grit as the horse trader Colonel G. Stonehill is the name of a village in Scotland. In addition, other leading casts are John Wayne as U.S. Marshal Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn, Katharine Hepburn as Miss Eula Goodnight, Anthony Zerbe as Breed, and Richard Jordan as Hawk, John McIntire as Federal Judge Parker, Richard Romancito as Wolf, and Paul Koslo as Luke.
The filmmakers initially considered casting Clint Eastwood in the role of Rooster Cogburn, but they eventually decided to go with John Wayne instead after seeing his performance in “The Searchers”. During filming, director Peter Bogdanovich clashed frequently with Wayne over both creative decisions and his acting style; however, their mutual respect ultimately led to a successful collaboration overall.
In order to accurately depict historical events and settings for the film, extensive research was conducted by the crew and cast members alike. This included studying martial arts manuals and reading about various cowboy legends from across America’s West Coast region.
Filming Locations Of Rooster Cogburn
For the mountain sequences, the film was shot in Deschutes County west of Bend, Oregon (in autumn 1974). For the river scenes, he shot on the Deschutes River in Josephine and Curry counties, west of Grants Pass, Oregon (for whitewater rapids), and on the Rogue River.
The Rockhard/Smith Rock Climbing Guides facility at the park entrance was originally created as a set for the film, where it was shown as Kate’s Saloon. Smith Rock State Park, located northeast of Redmond, Oregon, is another location.
For the mountain sequences, the film crew also went to Deschutes County west of Bend, Oregon (for the mountain sequences), on the Deschutes River for whitewater rapids, and on the Rogue River near Josephine and Curry counties in Oregon, west of Grants Pass.
Besides, the movie Rooster Cogburn was filmed in the Nevada desert. The town of Battle Mountain was used for some exterior shots and Bluemont USA served as the main location where much of the action took place, including the shoot-out at Loon Lake.
Despite its dark and gritty tone, Rooster Cogburn was actually filmed largely on location in Louisiana – much to the chagrin of some local officials who were unhappy about Hollywood’s “filthy” influence upon their community… though they ultimately came around once it proved profitable for them (locals reportedly made up to $5 million from movie rentals alone).
7 Surprising Film Facts Of Rooster Cogburn
If you’re a fan of Westerns, you’ll know that Rooster Cogburn is one of the most iconic figures in this genre. Here are 7 surprising facts about this legendary cowboy western film. Take a look as you may not be familiar with these film facts before.
- Rooster Cogburn was originally written by author Ernest Hemingway for actor Gregory Peck.
- Clint Eastwood turned down the role of Rooster Cogburn because he thought that he couldn’t do justice to the character.
- The film’s producer, Roger Corman, used the filming location as the set for the 1976 film Death Race 2000.
- The events in the movie take place during the Texas Revolution.
- The movie’s lead actor, Jack Nicholson, didn’t actually ride a rooster in the movie.
- The rooster in the movie was not CGI, but an actual rooster that was loaned from a farmer.
- The Rockhard/Smith Rock Climbing Guides facility at the park entrance was previously erected as a set for the movie, where it was shown as Kate’s Saloon. During shooting, both 67-year-old actors stayed in Sunriver, Oregon Governor Tom McCall flew in for a quick visit with them in early October.
Read more: Where Was The Movie Patton Filmed?
FAQs On Where Was The Movie Rooster Cogburn Filmed
Take a glimpse at the following FAQs if you are keener to know more about this film.
How old was Katherine Hepburn when she made Rooster Cogburn?
Katharine Hepburn was two weeks elder than John Wayne, who was 67 years old at the time of the shooting. During the shooting, both performers stayed in Sunriver, Oregon.
How long did it take to film this movie?
The movie Rooster Cogburn was shot in just 55 days using an all-star cast and crew.
What is the storyline for the movie Rooster Cogburn?
The Rooster Cogburn movie storyline follows the titular character as he battles the infamous outlaw, Ben Wade. The film also stars Christian Bale, Sienna Miller, and Casey Affleck.
Is True Grit and Rooster Cogburn the same movie?
No, Rooster Cogburn is the sequel to the 1969 film True Grit.
Where was the meadow scene in True Grit filmed?
The meadow scene in True Grit was filmed at Deb’s Meadow.
What river was the movie Rooster Cogburn filmed on?
The film was shot on the Deschutes River.
How much does the movie earn?
The film made $4.5 million in North American rentals after grossing $17,594,566 at the box office. In 1975, it was the most successful film, with a gross of $25 million.
Where Was The Movie Rooster Cogburn Filmed? Wrap Up
Whether you’re a fan of classic Hollywood films or you’re just looking for a fun and exciting movie to watch this weekend, Rooster Cogburn is sure to please. Why not check out Rooster Cogburn’s filming locations? As one of the locations was filmed in the great city of Austin! Enjoy!
