Teenager Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) wants desperately to find the man who killed her father. She selects an older, one-eyed, heavy-drinking U. S. Marshall name Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne). She deems him to have the “true grit” it will take to find Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey) and bring him to justice. From the very start of their tenuous relationship, the strong-willed youngster goes toe-to-toe fearlessly with the aged lawman. Mattie insists on accompanying him on this dangerous manhunt across rough terrain and through Indian Territory despite Cogburn’s vociferous objections. Joining them along the way is a Texas Ranger (Glen Campbell) eager to arrest the fugitive in order to collect a bounty.