Is there any other kind of film that John Wayne worked in that wasn't great? (OK there's a couple). This is the last film that John Wayne made before he died. There is a bit of irony in the film in that his character is told at the beginning of the film that he has cancer and, of course, it was cancer that killed him. The acting in this film is really good by Wayne, but also by the superb supporting cast consisting of Richard Boone, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard and Hugh O'Brian. Very few films have so many big names in them! Everyone wanted to be in a film with John Wayne. The story's been covered by other commenters so I'll not bore you with another synopsis. Suffice it to say that the story is good, but not really the film's strong point. The strength is the ACTING. I really love this film and I think you will too.