1969: THE DUKE on his CAREER, IMAGE, POLITICS and CANCER | John Wayne and his Films | BBC Archive

Iain Johnstone interviews John Wayne about his life and his films while on location filming Chisum in Durango, Mexico.
Marion Morrison (his real name) discussed how he came by the monikers John Wayne and The Duke, his start as the original 'singing cowboy', whether he's a good shot or quick on the draw, some of his most famous roles, what parts he would refuse, the controversy around The Green Berets (which he both directed and starred in), fame and his battle with cancer and choosing to go public with it.
Clip taken from John Wayne and his Films, originally broadcast on BBC One, Sunday 28 December, 1969.
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[@mr702s]

Many people under 18 can not imagine the kind of life people lived then. Preserving footage like this is valuable beyond just the interview itself.

[@Londonechoes]

Exactly!

[@matthewtrow5698]

How does it differ from now? I'm guessing it was a lot better - it must've been. The world since then has seen the balance of wealth reach incredible levels of unfairness. We've seen a decimation of life on planet earth on an almost unimaginable scale. We're struggling with the very real problem of a climate changing far too rapidly - breaking down. How wonderful it must've been to be 18 back in 1969.

[@aclockworkpeon5572]

Amen. Spoken so true. These, and maybe they already are, will be absolutely historical documents of our culture, Heaven help us if it survives another 250 years.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@matthewtrow5698 Friend, you're viewing the past through the lens of some seriously rose-colored glasses. The world has ALWAYS had "the balance of wealth reach incredible levels of unfairness." The "decimation of life on planet Earth on an almost unimaginable scale" has been with mankind ever since he first set foot on the planet and wholesale slaughtered animals for food, their pelts, or whatever else was needed, or made war to kill off whole populations just because they wanted their land or didn't lke them. As for "climate change" (which I'm old enough to remember being "the imminent new Ice Age" and then being changed to "Global Warming" before being changed to the catch all "Climate change"), that's a subject so rife with misinformation, debatable "facts" and the like that it's hardly worth mentioning. For hyperbole, you're unmatched. For facts, you're a bit overdoing it. Life in the 60's had death, drugs, murder, poverty, riots, wars and everything else we have now. No time period was demonstrably better than any other, in a comparative sense. Some things may have been better, but it was still life, with all its horrors and blessings.

[@user-nf2th3bn5t]

@@matthewtrow5698In 1969 we were being warned about the next ice age and being trained to duck under school desks to survive a nuclear strike. Every generation has its good and bad. Just different technology for application.

[@royjudson4380]

As a 65 year old and a big Duke fan, i had not seen this interview before, enjoyable and relaxing interview.

[@oggie1967]

Wow, i have never seen an interview of John Wayne before, comes across as a humble, good natured, grounded man! Loved seing something of the true nature of a Hollywood legend. Thanks for sharing!👍♥️

[@gazza6348]

Never a truer word spoken sir

[@PhilipHolditch]

So natural, charming, and very affable. A man's man.

[@Liofa73]

And a racist... "With a lot of blacks, there's quite a bit of resentment along with their dissent, and possibly rightfully so. But we can't all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of the blacks. I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. ... I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from the Indians. Our so-called stealing of this country from them was just a matter of survival. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves." -- John Wayne Interview with Playboy in 1971.

[@Rasle500]

@@Liofa73 Playboy is known to be almost as credible as CNN.

[@stevedavy2878]

Affable man if you were praising him, very Trump like

[@brucestewart5939]

How humble is this legend...simply incredible considering the amazing life he had led up to this time frame.

[@mr.invisible3123]

Unorthodox interview settings with casual chat with a legend

On set interviews were quite normal

[@ja5467]

A terrific interview of a Great American, John Wayne! At 70 years of age I still look forward to seeing his movies.

[@KainedbutAble123]

What a wonderful interview with a perfect backdrop! I never knew Wayne was so affable and charming, always imagined him as the gruff and stern character from his movies.

[@donchasteen9639]

God, I miss him, and all he stood for.

[@jamesbrackett575]

There’s no way I can pick my favorite John Wayne movie I loved em all

My childhood hero, I miss him greatly!

[@user-rz3ti1ok7r]

Yes, mine too. I was 10/11 when the tv broke in and said he had passed. I remember crying. My wife on my birthday every year puts up some kind of John Wayne posters or pictures around the house. I have this great coffee mug she gave me one Birthday that has a picture of him on the outside and some memorable quotes he said in the inside. Joke in the family is I drink coffee every morning with John Wayne.

[@eddie12454]

Whatever, he was just a great movie star. Excellent interview. He seemed very relaxed and affable. Made so many entertaining films. The Quiet Man, Red River and Chisum are my favourites. Thank you Mr Wayne (Duke) R I P

[@willjones945]

His politics are the polar opposite to my own, but by Hell, the man’s a STAR! Not the sort of fly-by-night narcissistic kid we get today, but someone who’s reached the top of his profession by sheer hard work and talent. They were a different breed altogether.

[@aclockworkpeon5572]

So true and Wayne is so articulate and the interviewee so professional and asking some tough questions in a completely non combative or condensing "gotcha" way either. Just two absolute professionals and respect.

[@frank9712]

your brainless the duke was right all the wsy like trump

[@michaelhungate7506]

Hey, alot of people that disagreed with his politics, still had a respect for him and loved his movies. Ahhhh back when we could disagree in a respectful way.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@michaelhungate7506 YES. Out of so many things that have changed in my lifetime (born in 1970), that is the one thing that I truly miss the most; the ability to disagree over issues without all the "-ist" labels or labels in general being immediately applied to you simply because you disagree. Now, granted, it's happened because it's been allowed to happen - but still, I can well remember the days when you could vehemently disagree, shake hands, and stil be friends.

[@melvinhunt6976]

His Politics were and are correct!

[@peterhobday]

Thanks for the interview. A great man and the interviewer was properly respectful.

[@markhendon]

I had never saw that interview before. As a huge John Wayne fan I really enjoyed it

[@sean891]

The Brits always ask great questions in a short length of time. With all politics and politically correctness aside, I LOVE THE DUKE!

[@gregorysagegreene]

I grew up with my Dad in awe of and led by this guy as a male icon and archetype. 💜

[@mazishahabi7168]

God bless the Duke true American Wish he was still around. Make America John Wayne again !

[@jaygib7650]

a great actor and with strong beliefs for his family and country, sadly lacking in todays hollywood!

[@Liofa73]

Nasty beliefs too.

[@supremelymontgomeryclift3453]

He was a draft dodger! Smart people can see through his bs.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@Liofa73 Oh look. Like clockwork, the standard person to show up and put something negative on anything positive said about the man. Makes me wonder why you didn't just avoid the video if you dislike the subject so much instead of wasting so much of your life in typing response after response to positive comments. I pity people like you. I truly do.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@supremelymontgomeryclift3453 Only John Wayne could have told us the real reasons he stayed out of the war. All we have is the documentation given as to why he filed for 3-A draft deferment and then why the studios intervened later. Smart people can see through your bs and realize that all you're doing is putting your own interpretation to the facts that are present to support your own dislike of the man. Your opinion doesn't change fact. it's just your opinion.

[@221WTF]

​@@Liofa73you know, to us, your beliefs are nasty. Most prople know Duke as a patriot and an American icon. I wouldnt trust someone that didnt.

[@kennethwilliams9301]

A true American Patriot

[@wraithby]

Duke's conservative values were inspiring in 1969 and even more so today.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Real American hero John was ❤❤❤ man's man 👨 👏

[@edgaraquino2324]

He is the Duke...what more can be said?...😊

[@MarkStevens8899]

Thank you BBC Archive , wonderful interview, John seems in good, relaxed mood here.

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

I have your autograph Duke, on a photo taken from the opening scene of Hondo. Thanks for so many great films, The Searchers and being Irish The Quiet Man in particular. RIP.

[@markbrown4039]

And the following spring, he'd win the Oscar for "True Grit". And the author didn't even want him to play it.

[@benwilliams2135]

Legend. The final scene in the shootist is quite dark. He knew he was dying in real life... Also the film marked the end of the old school cowboy era, and into the new age, as you can tell by the boys clothes, guessing early 1900's, railroads and barbwire in full effect by then. What a swann song!?

[@MarkStevens8899]

Classic movie

[@VI-rt7sh]

Great interview.

[@kevinfright8195]

What a super interview..

[@johncooper5777]

GOD BLESS JOHN WAYNE . RIP DUKE .

[@Michael-dz9vk]

What a great interview ,with a true legend of film,tells it as it is ,people talk of his politics ,he beleived in freedom ,peoples right to vote ,he was against communism ,his views were his honest views,,agree or disagree,we are free to air our views,an actor of great stature ,one of the greats in hollywood,😊❤,x

[@jimmybullardful]

The Searchers was my favourite. He never seemed to be too stretched in his films but The Searchers demanded a three dimensional characterisation and they certainly got it.

[@nosystem1098]

Fat and away my favorite actor, and I can't believe that anyone who shows up hereafter is going to top him.

[@LaurenceOConnor-fg4dk]

John Wayne was an articulate man.

[@vintageschumacher]

I watched many of the Duke's movies with my father but never watched this interview. Very very interesting to watch and i still watch John Wayne moives 😊

[@58Brando]

The interviewer Iain Johnstone passed away last year.

[@Roadrunner_1000]

An excellent professional

[@sum12see]

What a great American icon...RIP Mr Wayne

[@BarrySchklar-yy9ef]

A very fine man and actor.

[@paulamiddleton7747]

I watched this in 1969 . I remember it great actor.

[@Jonathan-iq3sg]

Legend.

[@davidkubasiak9093]

He said it. He hates Communism. So do I.

[@clintonreisig]

Honest, courteous, but tough at the same time

[@howl_with_the_wolves]

Absolutely! Love John Wayne Great American. The Duke did have a problem. He smoked six packs of cigarettes a day. He was a chainsmoker.

[@darthrevan9858]

"I'm the stuff men are made of." Love and miss you Grandaddy. ❤

[@onawhim9079]

He was of his era, and for sure a Hollywood great, but don't decry today's talent, some are just as great.

[@MrMann0123]

I remember seeing one of those talking heads shows and various commentators were all saying "he is a monster" and pointing out his huge number of flaws but then turned to his work, especially The Searchers and Rio Bravo and they had to admit he just was amazing in the right role. Wayne was a complicated man. He strongly believed in his politics that are utterly different to mine. He really did feel he was looking out for his country yet he couldnt serve which is something Ford wouldnt let him forget.... Im meandering. It is easy to say he was a monster. He did terrible things such as black listing suspected communist actors or threatening violence at the Oscars over the protest at the treatment of Native Americans. Id never forgive or expect others to set aside such behaviours or even excuse them as "of the time". The fact though is he could be thoughtful and reflective as this interview shows but he could also be hideously misguided in his approach to some of his views. I love his work, well, most of it. The Green Berets and The Conquerors are crap but Rio Bravo is perfect. I hate what he did and much of what he said but he was a star, bigger than life and i dont care what people say, he could act. His characters weren't all the same. Ethan Edwards, Rooster Cogburn and John T Chance were all very different people.

[@dustoffrotorblades2067]

Hate is a powerful emothion....sure you can handle it! so who's perfect? You! Haha

[@hensonlaura]

"Hideously misguided" is a hilariously typical Leftist word salad. As if Duke was influenced by anything but his own experiences & judgement. Some people will never get it, I think because they aren't independent thinkers. They can't make the leap.

[@nealpaul6512]

I'm a 64 year old Texas American that grew up on John Wayne movies Pittsburg is one of my all time favorites, The Longest Day helped make me want to be a member of the 82nd Airborne. He made a TV show about America that made you proud to be American. Thanks Duke

[@Weareeverything2023]

Remember seeing a story shortly after his death, on selling his boat, he was told it needed a major overhaul of the engines, but he was advised to sell it and forget to mention this info. The Duke was not that kind of man, he paid to have them made good, so his good reputation wouldn’t be marked by such skullduggery.

[@neildaly2635]

There was only one Duke.

[@garyproffitt5941]

Intelligent Irish and that is a fact.

[@brainbaskerville3341]

i watch them all i think duke was king of them all

[@EdRushing-te3sc]

The teaming of Ford and Wayne...magic , like that of Burton and Depp. Doesnt happen often but when it works its great cinema and art.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Well, l'm surprised to say, if we had ever met, l think l would have liked Mr Wayne, despite his dislike for liberals. Great interview. Thanks for uploading.

[@MarkStevens8899]

Apparently he got on very well with Hollywood liberal Paul Newman.

[@TheDoctor1225]

He existed in a time when you could get along with people of a different political stripe because it was a difference of opinion, not a reason to hate and divide and try to ruin people's lives. Look at some of the comments here regarding Mr. Wayne and you'll see the stark difference between now and then, which illustrates the point perfectly.

[@arthurconan1899]

LEGEND

[@analogueman123456787]

John Wayne is Big Leggy.

[@jaguarskills69]

John Wayne in lovers lane making whoopee with his squaw! But his bullet belt keeps a-gettin' in the way It's making his life a bore So she says to him, "Take off that thing" It's getting right between us Now listen, honey I can't do that not even for you My sweetness Now Big John If that's a fact, then how d'you propose we do our act? If that's the way it's gonna be, get the hell out of my tepee

[@swaneknoctic9555]

This man never acted once in his life, he was just being himself in every movie as was Roger Moore.

[@stevestannard6004]

And Ray Winstone.

[@AlexDeLarge77]

But we love them for it. The only film that Wayne actually delivered a real performance was the Shootist. By far his best film.

[@swaneknoctic9555]

@@AlexDeLarge77 never been a fan of Mr Wayne, but I completely agree, his best by far.

[@58Brando]

I thought he was bloody good in Red River. It is true from Rio Bravo onwards he did seem to be playing himself too often.

[@hensonlaura]

​@@58Brando You can see here what a professional he was, even calling himself "the John Wayne character". He maintained that illusion for the public & I personally think it was partly because he had compassion for people who loved him for that characterization. Obviously, it was in his best financial interest, no doubt, but he knew he was a patriotic talisman, a standard of admirable behavior & morale booster. I think he felt a responsibility to maintain that.

[@reneefollum4580]

A great American icon.

[@jeanattali4005]

Brave man ❤

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

He was 22 here. Hell, they don't even call it John Wayne airport anymore. At least the statue is there. We'll see how long.

[@Mkbshg8]

22? What are you smoking

[@hopebgood]

A typo surely. Burninator meant to say 12.

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

@@Mkbshg8 The Cali sht.

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

@@hopebgood Everyone on here is an expert. He was 5.

[@hopebgood]

@@BurninatorTheTrogdor He was FIVE in this video? hahahahaha thank you for such a good laugh mate. 😀

[@angloaust1575]

He did try to enlist in john fords film unit in ww2

[@user-xu2ix4pq5i]

From an era whe WOKE meant to get up

[@user-xu2ix4pq5i]

When

[@oggie1967]

😂😂😂

[@jerryracicot2231]

I Believe He became a believer in The Lord JESUS CHRIST before he passed away 🙏🏻 I Loved him in Rio Bravo and The Quiet Man and Many other movies ! I saw a bit where Him and Dean Martin were sitting on Horses 🐎 and The Duke turned to Dean Martin and said that he wished his Grandkids would learn “ The Lord’s Prayer “ and Know what it meant 🙏🏻

[@kennethrobertson1201]

John Wayne was wonderful as usual. Interviewer was an idiot.

[@mushroomhead3054]

Don't see many real men anymore

[@tonyclifton265]

what would john wayne say about today's USA?

[@76ToneCrome]

He made the most of his talent of being tall...Go team Eastwood.

[@commonwunder]

Born in 1907... what a year for deeply idiosyncratic actors to be born in.

[@hazza5999]

As is obligatory with such videos, can i be the first to type something along the lines of "Ah the good old days, when you didn't get thrown in prison for saying you are English"? Or some such guff.

[@milquetoasted]

you get arrested and thrown in jail for saying you are english? when did this come in then?

[@hazza5999]

@milquetoasted It didn't. I'm being ironic and quoting Stewart Lee. I'm Cornish as well, so not even English. Sorry.

[@milquetoasted]

@@hazza5999 so was I ... "I said to him, "What did you say?" And he said, "Oh, these days, if you say you're English you get arrested and thrown in jail." I said, "When did this come in?""

[@hazza5999]

@@milquetoasted 🤣🤣🤣

[@RolandoRatas]

I liked him but I'm not too sure about his step brother that had surname 'Gacy'.

[@JJONNYREPP]

1969: THE DUKE on his CAREER, IMAGE, POLITICS and CANCER | John Wayne and his Films | BBC Archive 0859am 21.8.24 at least he thought about the films he made.... probably not appreciative of the revisionist westerns as they have been called (ie: spaghetti westerns), which i am, but there you go. he's old school... and enjoyable if you can take your movies for what they are - as opposed to attempting to decode every fart which may be encountered (refer to blazing saddles). a good lad. good films.......p.s saw this via talking pictures fronted by sylvia sims on BBC2.... does your archive have anything relating to ice cold in alex?

[@jeshkam]

You really don't have to quote the entire title.

[@JJONNYREPP]

@@jeshkam Comments on ‘1969: THE DUKE on his CAREER, IMAGE, POLITICS and CANCER | John Wayne and his Films | BBC Archive’ 1628pm 21.8.24 the fraudsters can get round the fact you make it clear what the topic of discussion is about.. but it sets me thigs right to some degree re: those dolts who dont even know what the eff is being discussed messaging me: wtf you on about?etc etc......... anyhow; gyrsosite (sic)....... i think they're equating Antarctic with a young mars... that conversation is available, here!!! at thistitle if you google it... CIA Drone Flew Over The Ice Wall Of Antartica And Captured The Most Shocking Footage Ever...

[@stevedavy2878]

As a youngster I idolised the man, now I see him for what he was a big man who bullied people. I cannot stand him now, or his swaggering character portraayals in Movies,

[@leoman4786]

Nobody cares what you like .. we need more John Wayne’s less you

[@hensonlaura]

Yeah, he's adored by hundreds of millions because he was such an awful dude. It has nothing to do with you projecting at all.

[@stevedavy2878]

@@hensonlaura and of course you are not projecting, because you dont like me disagreeing with your view lol, Quit it with the amateur psychology Highlighting your reply doesnt make it more valid sunshine,.

[@MatteBlack2024]

Notoriously anti-Black from what my parents told me. I’ve watched him in one film my entire life but I was supposed to: The Cowboys.

[@MattST69]

​@@user-hd9nc7zp1v his second wife was Mexican and his third wife was Peruvian, I guess if he was as racist as some accuse him then he would have married an all-American white lady.?

[@analogueman123456787]

@@MattST69 - It's entirely possible to hold racist views relating to one group of people while maintaining benign views of another. Doesn't make him any less of a bigot.

[@user-hd9nc7zp1v]

@@MattST69 so he was a hypocrite?

[@MattST69]

@@analogueman123456787 in my experience it's the loony left so-called liberals who hold questionable views on just about every subject. John Wayne was a great man who possibly held views that don't quite align with yours. Who cares?

[@MattST69]

@@user-hd9nc7zp1v so you're a troll?

[@alexdavies7394]

He seems fairly affable and unassuming in this interview. But his ultra Conservative values make me frown!

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

I hope that you and your husband had a happy pride month this summer! I’m into women and that won’t ever change, but there’s probably nothing wrong with you fellows who like buttseks with each other.

[@johnqpublic331]

He was conservative, yes, the ultra is erroneous.

[@alexdavies7394]

@@johnqpublic331 - No it isn’t.

[@michaelchristian7824]

Liberals are not liberal anymore.....they are something else..Fascists, maybe?

[@dahulkters1]

You mean not like Communism and freedom is ultra conservative ??

[@johnobrien8398]

Avoided the war by making films about the war what a hero he wasn’t looks like bottle job.

[@Roadrunner_1000]

An intelligent man

[@user-nf2th3bn5t]

I’ve heard this many times but never from a WW2 Vet. Wayne didn’t get blasted by society like Clinton, Trump and Biden did for taking deferments from the draft.

[@hensonlaura]

He's my hero!

[@hackbritton3233]

His sounds very odd.

[@user-jr3dx7wl6j]

Bad Racist even for his time

[@therealyogibear2k225]

Why? None of the things he said sounded anything like racism.

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

How many times do you have to call someone “racist” to meet your Whiny SJW Whiner’s Club daily quota? Do you have to use all of the fantasy “phobic” words just as frequently too in order to keep your membership in good standing?

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

@@therealyogibear2k225Effeminate wokesters like the OP can’t handle reality.

[@JJONNYREPP]

1969: THE DUKE on his CAREER, IMAGE, POLITICS and CANCER | John Wayne and his Films | BBC Archive 0852am 21.8.24 i mused on this and he isn't - racist. or wasn't. not unless you have video of candid moments of him and his muckers on his boat. judging by how folk garner info on people, i wouldn't put it past you... he's just a hero of hollywood - of the old school. some of early movies are amusing (albeit unintentionally). some of his best moments in his movies are of him fending off all out schmaltz - which i appreciate (refer to true grit and rooster cogburn)....................... everyone likes the searchers - and the schmaltz almost creeps in, there. but, no, straight out racist? nope. i await the Yankee cavalry. sooner rather than later...... adios.

[@therealyogibear2k225]

@@analogueman123456787 lol Playboy? Who takes that joke magazine seriously. It's only bought for naked women. The stories are total junk. And anyway it was a totally different time back then. No one cares now.

[@TOMGUIDO66]

It is wonderful to hear him castigate the fake news and late 60s woke leftists as if he were speaking contemporaneously. And he’s not wrong.