The late, great Robert Duvall will be remembered for many roles — he was one of the great actors of his generation. But for many of us, his defining role is one that he embodied: Augustus McCrae. Texas Ranger, reluctant trail-driver, philosopher.
And Gus offered perhaps the best piece of advice a man could give — one that gets quoted among Clan Cornelius quite a lot:
“Lorie darlin’, life in San Francisco, you see, is still just life. If you want any one thing too badly, it’s likely to turn out to be a disappointment. The only healthy way to live life is to learn to like all the little everyday things, like a sip of good whiskey in the evening, a soft bed, a glass of buttermilk, or a feisty gentleman like myself.”
David Wrolson says
This one hit me surprisingly hard considering his age and so forth.
I remember some time ago you had a post about Gus and “Chasing Buffalo” -either here or at Running Iron-and I have been thinking about that a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJo9AbkMAqc
Even though it is costs him his life. The video above shows the discussion leading to the buffalo chase. The video below shows what happens after he chases the bufallo over the hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cf_WP69Mrc
He has often been quoted that Gus was his favorite role.
Our family favorite movie is Secondhand Lions. Starting at 50 seconds in the following video is possibly the greatest Frontier Partisan line in movie history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FAdEzhorq4
Gus is chasing buffalo today and tonight Hub McCann will be rescuing the princess.
JimC says
Ah, yes… Chasing Buffalo.
Quixotic Mainer says
The character of Gus McCrae is so infinitely quotable. His Boss (Bluebonnet but don’t you tell no one) Spearman comes a close second, even more impressive given that Gus had Larry McMurtry writing his dialogue.
That one hurt though. I’m slowly picking my way through Lonesome Dove a part at a time in his honor. Which was the more mature memorial than impulse buying a reproduction Walker…
JimC says
You have come to a campfire full of enablers who will tell you to get the Walker.
John M. says
IM PULSE BUY
IM PULSE BUY
IM PULSE BUY
Shoot, you can mail-order a Walker. You don’t even have to tie your shoes and fill out a 4473.
Quixotic Mainer says
Great to have backup!
John M. says
I’m always happy to stand behind a man with a Walker.
Greg Walker says
A gentleman, a professional, a craftsman, and one damn fine actor.
“I always figure from the cradle to the grave, we all have our individual journeys, and maybe my journey was a positive one and I accomplished certain things without stepping on too many toes.” Robert Duvall
Black Tyrone says
Too tough to pick a role. He’ll always be Gus me.
J.R. says
Never be another like him.
Could play any role given to him.
Hammer says
“Open Range” never really got the appreciation it deserves. Duvall is in fine form in that one.
Will we ever seen an actor like him again? I doubt it. Our current social petri dish just doesn’t produce people like him anymore, or at least not that may find a home in the entertainment industry.
Clyde says
“We are all travelers in this world. From the sweet-grass to the packing house, birth till death, we travel between the eternities.” from Broken Trails, Robert Duvall.
Quixotic Mainer says
That was a good flick too! The theme music was particularly striking.
Lee Logue says
Still chuckling about that “Texans” comment in Geronimo…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-_I1wy2DHo
JimC says
Yeah… ouch.
Lynda Sanchez says
Sigh, it really hit me hard too when I found out that Duvall was gone. Being from historic Lincoln County, NM I naturally gravitate toward films like Open Range and Lonesome Dove, but he has played different and meaningful roles throughout his life. May we all be so lucky.
Lynda Sánchez
Jeff M says
Lonesome Dove and Open Range were great roles for him. He was also great as Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.
When I was a young soldier in the Army (back in the 80’s) many a night having a barracks party was spent watching those movies.