elements, coming after Rio Bravo (1959) and before Rio Lobo (1970), both also starring Wayne in similar roles. The poem repeated in the film and paraphrased in the theme song is "Eldorado," a ballad poem by Edgar Allan Poe. The paintings in the credits are those of artist Olaf Wieghorst, who makes a brief appearance as Swede Larsen in the film. The musical score was composed by Nelson Riddle. Footage from El Dorado was later incorporated into the opening montage of Wayne's final film, The Shootist, to illustrate the backstory of Wayne's character. Reception and legacy Critical reception In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Howard Thompson praised El Dorado as "... a tough, laconic and amusing Western that ambles across the screen as easily as the two veteran stars. ... [T]he barbed, pungent and frequently funny dialogue, plus some murderous gun forays, add up to crisp entertainment." Roger Ebert awarded the film three and a half stars, stating: "El Dorado is a tightly directed, humorous, altogether successful Western, turned out almost effortlessly, it would seem, by three old pros: John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and director Howard Hawks." The film has a 100% approval rating on review compiler Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews, with a weighted average of 7.78/10. Members of the Western Writers of America chose the film's theme as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. Comic book adaption Dell Movie Classic: El Dorado (October 1967) See also List of American films of 1967 List of American films of 1966 John Wayne filmography References Notes Citations Bibliography External links 1966 films 1966 Western (genre) films 1960s English-language films American Western (genre) films Films about alcoholism Films based on American novels Films based on Western (genre) novels Films directed by Howard Hawks Films scored by Nelson Riddle Paramount Pictures films Films with screenplays by Leigh Brackett Films shot in Arizona Films shot in Utah Siege films Films adapted into comics Revisionist Western (genre) films 1960s American films