Expert Applauds 1948 John Wayne Western for Accurate Survival Trick
An expert rates the accuracy of desert survival scenes in the 1948 John Wayne Western, 3 Godfathers
Summary
The desert survival tactics depicted in the scene from 3 Godfathers are fairly accurate, particularly the barrel cactus trick.
Despite lacking expertise and questionable survival skills, the depiction of desert survival in the film should not be regarded too seriously. Nonetheless, 3 Godfathers remains an engaging piece of fiction that encompasses religious symbolism and breathtaking desert landscapes, a signature element in John Ford's Western films.
3 Godfathers accurately portrays a survival technique in the desert, captivating survival expert Les Stroud. This 1948 Western film, directed by the renowned John Ford, features John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz, and Harry Carey Jr. as godfathers to a newborn baby found abandoned in the desert. Set primarily in the American Southwest desert, the film showcases the characters' struggles to shield the child from the unforgiving environment. In a recent Insider video, Stroud evaluates the realism of a specific desert survival scene from 3 Godfathers. Watch the clip below:
In this scene, Harry Carey Jr.'s character is depicted digging in the desert for water, which John Wayne's character deems to be futile. However, the character manages to extract water from a barrel cactus, showcasing an authentic desert survival technique that impresses Stroud. Stroud rates the scene with a commendable 8/10 for its realism. Gain further insight from Stroud's complete commentary below:
When reading survival books, there is often an image of someone digging in the desert to find water. Despite trying this method multiple times, I have yet to find water. It is essential to remember that in desert survival, one must consider the effort put in versus the reward gained.
Now, let's discuss the barrel cactus technique. Once again, we encounter a common survival belief that suggests drinking water can be obtained from a barrel cactus. Is this true? The answer is yes, but with a caveat. Only one species of barrel cactus, namely the fish-hooked barrel cactus, is relatively safe for human consumption. Other species can be toxic and may cause diarrhea. In reality, drinking water from a barrel cactus is an unpleasant experience. It tastes awful and takes a significant amount of time. This is the harsh reality of relying on a barrel cactus for hydration.
How Accurate Is 3 Godfathers' Depiction Of Desert Survival?
It is a misconception that one can simply cut open a barrel cactus and start drinking its water. In reality, extracting water from a barrel cactus is a time-consuming process since the water is not readily available in a pool-like form. Instead, it is found within the plant's fibers. I have personally experienced squeezing the cactus to release drops of water into my mouth, even though the taste is not pleasant. However, in emergency situations, this water can be a lifesaver. Based on my experience, I would rate this clip an eight out of ten.
According to Stroud, the portrayal of desert survival tactics in the 3 Godfathers scene is relatively accurate. It effectively highlights the pointlessness of digging a hole for water in the desert and demonstrates the usefulness of the barrel cactus trick. However, it is important to take the depiction of desert survival in 3 Godfathers with a pinch of salt, apart from the constant quest for water and occasional sandstorms. The three main characters, who are rustlers and bank robbers, are unlikely to have survived in the desert for as long as they did without any significant expertise in desert survival.
Nevertheless, having expectations that 3 Godfathers can serve as a precise survival manual like Les Stroud's TV series Survivorman would be unreasonable. Instead, this Western film should be regarded as a work of fiction created for entertainment purposes, in which it excels. Serving as a retelling of the biblical narrative of the Three Wise Men, 3 Godfathers is enriched with significant religious symbolism, a characteristic absent in the rest of John Ford's films. Nonetheless, it still manages to showcase the stunning desert landscapes that audiences anticipate from one of the most esteemed directors in Western history.
