Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) is a young, helpless tomboy whose father has been murdered. She wants vengeance, and she tracks down a tough old marshal named ‘Rooster’ Cogburn (John Wayne) as she believes he can help by finding the murderer and showing his ‘True Grit’.

Rooster has a reputation for getting the job done and enlists help from La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), a Texas ranger who is searching for the same man for another murder.

Together all three trek around the country to find the murderous foe and travel through Fort Smith, Arkansas and even deep into Indian territory to find their man.