A YOUNG girl enlists the services of an eccentric gunslinger to avenge her father in a remake of the classic Western, True Grit (15).

John Wayne won the Oscar as hard-drinking gunslinger Rooster Cogburn in Henry Hathaway's 1969 version of the film.

It became a signature role for the actor known affectionately as The Duke, sharing the screen with a young Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper.

Almost 40 years later, Jeff Bridges is nominated for the Oscar for the very same role in Joel and Ethan Coen's masterful reworking, that layers this bloody tale of retribution with the brothers' trademark black humour.

Seeking to avenge her father's death, Mattie seeks out marshal Rooster Cogburn and hires him to help her track down Tom Chaney, who has taken up with Lucky Ned Pepper and his gang.

A tenacious Texas Ranger called LeBoeuf, who has been on Chaney's trail for some time, joins the hunting party.

True Grit has an impressive ten Oscar nominations and deserves every single one.

Production design is impeccable, beautifully evoking the era when a gun spoke just as loudly as words.

Hailee Steinfeld, who plays Mattie, was 13-years-old when the film was made and is a revelation as the plucky daughter on a quest for vengeance.

Bridges is a hoot but some of his best lines are impossible to understand on the open plains through his garbled delivery, and Matt Damon, Barry Pepper and Josh Brolin offer strong support.

Directing, the Coen brothers canter through the brilliantly orchestrated gunfights but always remain tightly focused on the characters and the delightful if somewhat fractious relationship between Mattie and Rooster.