One of cinema's classic scenes occurs when Rooster Cogburn begins a defiant horseback charge with the exclamation “Fill your hand!”. The Downtown Film Series invites you to join us Friday, August 12 for True Grit, the third and final presentation of Season 14 of the Stars Under the Stars program. A classic western that was remade in 2010 by the Coen Brothers, True Grit (1969, Rated PG) features John Wayne in the role that garnered him his only Oscar in the Best Actor category.

In the film, we meet Mattie, a 14-year-old who's father has been murdered by hired hand Tom Chaney. Mattie has heard tales of Rooster Cogburn, a man who supposedly has “true grit”, and sets out to hire him in order to capture Chaney. Although young,

Mattie is wise beyond her years and proves to be able to keep up with both Cogburn and La Boeuf, a young Texas Ranger who is also searching for Chaney in order to claim bounty money.

Cogburn proves to be a difficult case for Mattie to work with. He has a shady past, his motivations to help are financial, and he drinks excessively. Violence is at every corner as the group follow Chaney's trail through the back country of Oklahoma, and things take a turn for the worse when Mattie attempts to capture Chaney by herself during a confrontation in a river. However, Cogburn and La Boeuf form a plan to rescue Mattie and bring an end to Chaney and the group of outlaws he joined.

Who will survive the final showdown, and what are the fates of our heroes? If you saw the 2010 remake, now is your chance to note the similarities and differences between the two productions. Bring your blankets or bag chairs Friday, August 12 to the Downtown Crute Stage located on the corner of Main and Fourth Streets. The show will begin at dusk, and (as demonstrated last month) in the event of rain, the film will be presented the following evening.

Parking is available on Main Street and in the municipal parking lot behind the court house. Admission is free, and popcorn, candy, and drinks will be available for purchase. For the comfort and safety of all, there is a “No Pets” policy. For more information on the series, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/starsunderthestars

Thanks go out to our sponsors for this year's film series: Central Virginia Regional Library, Putney Mechanical, Caryn's Bridals, and Crystal Image Photography. Donations provided by Lib's Place and Pepsi. Special thanks to the Town of Farmville and The Farmville Herald.