I hadn’t ever really watched a complete John Wayne movie before. Growing up there’d always be something on TV on a Saturday arvo, but I don’t recall ever being grabbed by one of his films enough to sit through it and watch it to the end. That having been said, I actually enjoyed watching the four films that make up this set. My choice as highlight is North to Alaska and I don’t have a film I enjoyed least. They are all pretty similar in the regard that Wayne is the hero and wins in the end (naturally), though for marked reasons they are all different as well.

The Big Trail, is the only black and white piece and is at least 30 years older than the other three films. The Comancheros is the only real ‘buddy’ film of the four. The Undefeated is the only film in which burning social issues are addressed and of course, North to Alaska is the only real comedy. For all these reasons and more, the four featured films in this box set work well together to show the wide array of The Duke’s work.

As far as bonus features go, it’s a pretty poor showing for a box set. Only three original theatrical trailers are given and I would think if you’re shelling out for four films at once, you should be entitled to a little more than this. It couldn’t be too hard to dredge up a couple of old interviews, or even a recent featurette would have aided this set enormously. This is the real disappointment of the set, in my mind. However, if you’re a big fan of The Duke, then this is a great collection of some of his greatest pictures. The films have all been restored and transferred well for the most part, and the sound has been restored and delivered well. They make for watchable films, and as a set they work well together to give you a John Wayne movie for every mood.