John Wayne films criticized for controversial themes

While John Wayne remains one of cinema's most iconic stars, a selection of his 185 projects is considered difficult for modern audiences to watch due to political, misogynistic, or racist themes.

One notable example is the 1952 film ‘Big Jim McLain’. Reflecting Wayne’s conservative political leanings, the movie features him as an investigator for the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) searching for communist activity in Hawaii. Released during the early stages of McCarthyism, the film is viewed by some as a testament to the era's political climate and the controversial witch hunts that characterized the period.