How a 1970 Western became a touchstone for Richard Nixon's law and order

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When John Wayne starred in the 1970 film Chisum, he brought more than just his signature screen presence. The movie, which dramatizes the 1878 Lincoln County War, caught the attention of President Richard Nixon, who used the Western to publicly articulate his own philosophy on justice and societal order.

Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, Chisum casts John Wayne as a powerful cattle baron in the New Mexico Territory. The plot follows his struggle against a corrupt businessman who attempts to monopolize local resources through bribery and violence. While the film takes creative liberties with the historical Lincoln County War, it features real figures from the era, including Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and Alexander McSween. For Wayne, the project was deeply personal; his son Michael Wayne, the film's executive producer, believed the narrative encapsulated his father's political convictions.

The film’s impact extended beyond the box office, where it earned $6 million. During an August 1970 press conference in Denver, President Richard Nixon praised the movie as a superior Western. He used the film as a springboard to discuss the enduring popularity of the genre, suggesting that audiences are drawn to stories where the righteous prevail and the wicked are defeated. Nixon specifically highlighted the film's depiction of the transition from lawlessness to a structured legal system, framing it as a vital American ideal.

Production of the film was notable for its behind-the-scenes influence on Wayne’s later career. During the shoot in Durango, Mexico, actor John Mitchum shared his patriotic poetry with Wayne. The encounter left a lasting impression on the star, leading to a professional partnership that produced a spoken-word record focused on American values. This collaboration earned a Grammy nomination, cementing the film's legacy as a bridge between Wayne’s cinematic persona and his off-screen political identity.

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