Have you watched the iconic Western war movie, Rio Lobo? Do you want to know where was Rio Lobo filmed?
Rio Lobo is an epic war drama that follows the journey of an imprisoned colonel, who seeks revenge on the traitor that sold his gang away. The movie depicts the multiple army factions working around the town of Rio Lobo and the fights that ensue between them. The movie was the third installment of Howard Hawks movies that revolved around sheriff’s and outlaw fights.
Rio Lobo was filmed primarily in the region of Arizona and some parts of the movie were filmed in Mexico. Like most western movies including The Harder They Fall and Hang Em High the movie backdrop needed vast drylands in its background making Arizona the perfect place for filming.
If you want to know the filming locations for the movie Rio Lobo you have come to the right place. We will shortly discuss where was Rio Lobo filmed and other information related to the movie.
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Where Was Rio Lobo Filmed?
Rio Lobo is one of many western movies that were directed by Howard Hawks that followed the same premise. He not only Josh Wayne as the lead character in all three movies, but one of the movies was also titled Rio Bravo and depicted the tale of revenge by a sheriff. Unfortunately, Hawks did not direct any more films after that.
If you already know the filming locations for Rio Lobo you might also want to know where titles like The Virgin River and Snow White And The Huntsman were filmed. Let’s take a look at where was Rio Lobo filmed and you might find some mesmerizing places to travel to on your next vacation.
Rio Lobo | Seeking Revenge In Cowboy Style!
We will discuss where was Rio Lobo filmed after we take a look at the plot of the movie.
Rio Lobo is set in the later years of the American Civil War and presents the fight between Union members and Confederate soldiers. The Confederate soldiers attack a Union army train and the colonel of the troop ends up losing a close friend of his. However later he is captured with the leaders of the confederates and eventually they form a bond.
Rio Lobo presents the journey of the colonel, as he tries to identify the traitor that sold the details of their train to the Confederates. The confederate leaders promise to help him identify the traitor if they happen to see him. Later the town of Rio Lobo is attacked by some outlaws and the traitor is a part of the outlaws.
Will Colonel McNally be able to get revenge for his friend’s death? What will happen to the town of Rio Lobo? You can watch the movie on Paramount to find the answers for yourself.
| IMDb Rating | 6.7 |
| Runtime | 1 hour 54 minutes |
| Director(s) | Howard Hawks |
| Writer(s) | Burton Wohl, Leigh Brackett |
| Cast | John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O’Neill |
| Release Date | December 18, 1970 (United States) |
| Production(s) | Cinema Center Films, Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A., Batjac Productions |
Tucson
Most of the filming for the movie Rio Lobo was done in the region of Tucson, Arizona. The town of Old Tucson is used as the backdrop for the town of Rio Lobo primarily. If you want to travel to some of the major filming locations that are featured in classic western movies you should visit the place. The location has been used as a backdrop in many other Western movies as well.
Cuernavaca, Morelos
There are some parts of the movie Rio Lobo that were filmed in Mexico. Primarily the region of Morelos was used to film some of the fighting scenes at the start of the movie. The region provides a perfect backdrop with its dry lands and hilly region. You will be able to travel to Mexico easily for a vacation. If you like to travel to culturally diverse places you should give this location a go.
The Sonoran Desert
The part where McNally is captured by the Confederate leaders in Rio Lobo is filmed in the Sonoran Desert. There is not much to see in the place as it is strewn with small towns and vast sandy stretches for miles. If you want to go on a road trip across Arizona, you can pass through the desert. But the place does not have a lot to offer to its visitors other than arid lands.
Sierrita Mountains
Some parts of the final fighting scenes in Rio Lobo were filmed near the Sierrita mountains. The backdrop of the mountains provided the perfect place for the outlaws to hide and attack the towns without being discovered until the last minute.
The backdrop was used because of its geological advantage. The mountains are situated in Arizona and you can travel there for a small hike but you must keep in mind that the temperature is quite high in the summers.
Ironwood Forest National Monument
Other than the filming locations mentioned above, some parts of Rio Lobo were also filmed in the ironwood Forest National Monument in Arizona. The place provided ample amounts of trees and dense woods to create a contrast in the journey of Colonel McNally.
You can travel to the monument if you like to visit natural places. The best time to travel to the monument will be in the rainy season and fall.
Other Filming Locations
Some other places in Arizona that were featured in the movie Rio Lobo are Tucson Mountains, Picacho Peak State Park, Ruby, Arivaca, Bavispe, Bacerac, and Tumacacori. Most of these small towns are situated in the countryside of Arizona and helped in providing the backdrops of some towns that were in the path of McNally’s journey.
The mountains and parks were primarily used as backdrops or to film fighting scenes in the movie. If you want to travel to these locations, you can plan a road trip across Arizona, so that you can experience the countryside without spending much time in one place.
Final Words
This was all the information that you might need about where was Rio Lobo filmed. We hope you found some amazing places to travel to with this read on where was Rio Lobo filmed. You can also find the streaming platforms for the movies You Wont Be Alone and I Want You Back.
If you want to find more information about your favorite movies and TV shows you can suggest them to us and we will cover them. You can stay tuned with us for more entertaining content related to movies and TV shows ranging from science fiction movies to some exceptional documentaries.
When was Rio Lobo released?
The western movie Rio Lobo was released on December 18, 1970, in the United States of America.
What is the cast of Rio Lobo?
The cast of Rio Lobo is John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O’Neill, Jack Elam, Victor French, and Susana Dosamantes.
Where can you watch Rio Lobo?
You will be able to stream the western movie Rio Lobo on Paramount and Paramount+.
What is the name of the protagonist in Rio Lobo?
The protagonist of the movie Rio Lobo s Colonel Cord McNally, who seeks revenge on the traitor which caused him the loss of a friend.
Is the trailer of Rio Lobo available on Youtube?
Yes, the trailer for the movie Rio Lobo is available for streaming on Youtube.
Who wrote the screenplay for Rio Lobo?
The screenplay for the movie Rio Lobo was written by Burton Wohl and Leigh Brackett.
