RT Red River

According to the arguments given by Matheson and Tompkins one could argue that it is not until the end of the film, Red River, that two alpha male characters truly emerge in the film. The clear alpha male character throughout the film is Tom Dunson who is played by John Wayne. By the end of the movie a second alpha male character emerges in Matt Garth, who was essentially raised by Tom Dunson. Both are sharp shooting leaders, and looked up to by many. The reason one could argue that Matt is not an alpha male character in the film is his fear of Tom. Tompkins argues, "now that he can risk death in a gunfight, he can be a man"(33). After Matt splits off from Tom and takes control of Tom's men and cattle, Tom promises to hunt Matt down and kill him. In a scene later Matt shows clear signs of fear and jumps when approached by a friend in the woods. Matt is clearly afraid of Tom and is not able to mentally face Tom, something that an alpha male would certainly be able to do.
However, by the end of the film Tom and Matt reunite and Matt is no longer afraid, taking Tom on in a fist fight. After a while the fight ends and Tom and Matt appear content with the situation. Tom then draws a logo in the ground and tells Matt that he can now have his name on the cattle brand, something he told Matt he would do at a young age, "once he earned it". This scene symbolizes Matt's transition into an alpha male character, a role he has finally "earned".
Another characteristic an alpha male character must possess are to talk seldom because talk is feminine and "not-language... equates with being male" (Tompkins, 55). Throughout the film talk from Matt and Tom only comes in the form of a command, avoiding any explanations, or unnecessary conversations. Additionally, Matheson goes on to explain the image of an alpha male character. The alpha male must be one whose, "clothes may be worn but not greasy. They seldom sweat. Above, all they have always just shaved" (891). All of these descriptions match the image projected by Tom and Matt throughout the film.
Lastly, the alpha male must act based on a system that is "fundamentally ethical" stating this is the reason why "men are men" (899). Tom and Matt are on a mission to lead a group of men across the country to sell their cattle and then pay the men for their help. Several ethical dilemmas occur throughout the film. For example, Tom takes over as Matt's father figure once Matt's caravan is killed by Indians. Both Tom and Matt refuse to allow their ladies to accompany them on their trips for fear that it may be too dangerous for them. Also, Matt and Tom both are faced with tough decisions on the trip and decide to act according to what is best for the groups well-being.
All characteristics of an alpha male character are obtained by Matt and Tom by the end of the film. During the bulk of the film Matt lacks courage to take on Tom and shows signs of fear. Once this changes in the final scene of the film, Matt has finally evolved into an alpha male and two now exist in the film.