Screen legend John Wayne finally received Oscar recognition for his performance as ageing gunslinger Rooster Cogburn. After her father is murdered by outlaw Tom Chancey (Jeff Corey), 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) attempts to track down the killer. She goes to a paunchy, one-eyed marshall (John Wayne) - a man of 'true grit' - and together they pursue Chancey into Native American territory. They are joined by La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), a ranger who is hoping to collect the reward on another of Chancey's murders. The sequel, 'Rooster Cogburn', followed in 1975.