The Cowboys

( 9 )

Overview

In Cowboys, one of John Wayne's more interesting late Westerns, "The Duke" plays Will Anderson, a crusty veteran cattleman preparing a 400-mile drive to get a herd of steers to market. Shortly before the trip is scheduled to begin, Will's crew quits when they get word of a nearby gold strike. With little time and few alternatives, Will recruits eleven boys, ages nine through 13, and teaches them the basics of herding cattle and riding the range. Bruce Dern plays a memorably foul villain and cattle rustler named ...
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More About This Product

Overview

In Cowboys, one of John Wayne's more interesting late Westerns, "The Duke" plays Will Anderson, a crusty veteran cattleman preparing a 400-mile drive to get a herd of steers to market. Shortly before the trip is scheduled to begin, Will's crew quits when they get word of a nearby gold strike. With little time and few alternatives, Will recruits eleven boys, ages nine through 13, and teaches them the basics of herding cattle and riding the range. Bruce Dern plays a memorably foul villain and cattle rustler named Long Hair, while Roscoe Lee Browne portrays Jebediah, the cattle drive cook, and Colleen Dewhurst is Kate, a madam.
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Special Features

Commentary by director Mark Rydell; New cast/director reunion featurette The Cowboys: Together Again; Vintage featurette The breaking of Boys and the Making of Men; Theatrical trailer
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
This unforgettable combination of adventure story and coming-of-age tale is a cult favorite with John Wayne fans and it's easy to see why: The Cowboys is great American filmmaking, pure and simple. The script takes its time to develop rich characters and set up themes that pay off memorably in the film's second half. Director Mark Rydell handles the story in an understated, thoughtful manner that makes its dramatic peaks truly effective. Western fans will be happy to know that when it comes time to deliver a bit of action, Rydell gives it just the right amount of punch without overdoing it. His work is aided immensely by a sweeping, Copeland-esque musical score by John Williams and gorgeous scope photography from Robert Surtees: both do an excellent job of enhancing the film's rich feel of vintage Americana. The final, crucial pieces of the puzzle are the performances and they are magnificent: John Wayne carries the film on his mighty shoulders, delivering all the presence one would expect while also tempering it with a sense of vulnerability that only enhances his heroic appeal. Elsewhere, Roscoe Lee Browne makes an excellent (and equally charismatic foil) to Wayne as the drive's resident cook and Bruce Dern makes a genuinely unnerving villain for Wayne to square off with. It's also worth noting that the child actors playing the cattle drivers all do strong, subtle work, managing to be likeable without ever getting cutesy or maudlin (it's no surprise that young stars Robert Carradine and A Martinez graduated from this film to lengthy acting careers). In short, The Cowboys is a great Western and stand proudly alongside True Grit and The Shootist as the best of John Wayne's latter-day work.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/5/2007
  • UPC: 085391142706
  • Original Release: 1972

    • Rating:

  • Source: Warner Home Video
  • Presentation: Remastered
  • Language: English
  • Time: 2:15:00
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 21,666

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
John Wayne Wil Anderson
Roscoe Lee Browne Jebediah Nightlinger
Bruce Dern Asa Watts ("Long Hair")
Colleen Dewhurst Kate
Slim Pickens Anse
Sam O'Brien Jimmy Phillips
Mike Pyeatt Homer Weems
Lonny Chapman Preacher
Alfred Barker Jr. Singing Fats
Nicolas Beauvy Four Eyes
Steve Benedict Steve
Jim Burk Pete
Tap Canutt Stunts
Robert Carradine Slim Honeycutt
Matt Clark Smiley
Chuck Courtney Stunts
Sarah Cunningham Annie Andersen
Gary Epper Stunts
Tony Epper Rustler
Richard Farnsworth Henry Williams
Larry Finley Jake
Jerry Gatlin Howdy
Kent Hays Stunts
Norman Howell Jr. Weedy
Stephen R. Hudis Charlie Schwartz
Margaret Kelly Stuttering Bob's mother
A. Martinez Cimarron
Allyn Ann McLerie Ellen Price
Clay O'Brien Hardy Fimps
Larry Randles Ben
Walter Scott Okay
Sean Kelly Stuttering Bob
Charles Tyner Jenkins
Henry Wills Stunts
Joe Yrigoyen Stunts
Technical Credits
Mark Rydell Director, Producer
Harriet Frank Jr. Screenwriter
Philip M. Jefferies Production Designer
William Dale Jennings Screenwriter
William Kiernan Set Decoration/Design
Richard Portman Sound/Sound Designer
Irving Ravetch Screenwriter
Kay Rose Sound Editor
Jack Solomon Sound/Sound Designer
Robert Surtees Cinematographer
Robert Swink Editor
Anthea Sylbert Costumes/Costume Designer
Neil Travis Editor
John Williams [composer] Score Composer
Tim Zinnemann Associate Producer, Asst. Director
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Cowboys
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Chapter 26
27. Chapter 27
28. Chapter 28
29. Chapter 29
30. Chapter 30
31. Chapter 31
32. Chapter 32
33. Chapter 33
34. Chapter 34
35. Chapter 35
36. Chapter 36
37. Chapter 37
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Cowboys
   Languages
      Spoken Languages
         English 5.1
         Françias
         Español
      Subtitles
         English
         English (For the Hearing Impaired)
         Français
         Español
         Off
   Scene Selections
   Special Features
      Behind the Story
         Commentary by Mark Rydell: Director Mark Rydell Discusses How He Helped His Young, Inexperienced Cast Work With Screen Legend John Wayne
         The Cowboys: Together Again - Bruce Dern, Roscoe Lee Browne, Robert Carradine, A. Martinez, Stephen Hudes and Norman Howell Jr. and Director Mark Rydell Gather for a Warm and Intimate Cast Reunion
         The Breaking of Boys and the Making of Men: Discover What It Took in 1972 for the Young Actors in The Cowboys to Become Cowboys and the Cast's Real-Life Cowboys to Become Actors
      Trailers
         Theatrical Trailer
      Play Movie
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 9 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The Cowboys

    John Wayne as a rough but fair trail boss with a band of green young boys to drive a cattle herd to market,come up against rustlers and immaturity;to become young men readied for a challange. Basically a movie about boys given the name "Cowboys".A great movie about responsibility, courage, and strength of soul/heart.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Shootist

    A Wayne Classic

    As a boy, I watched every John Wayne movie I could find on television. After seeing this movie, I always hoped to meet John Wayne in person, unfortunately he died before I ever could. However, its performances like the one in this movie which will help keep his memory alive. I believe he did a fine job presenting a hardened western Cattleman, who must rely on the ability of a group of boys and a unique Trail Cook (played wonderfully by Roscoe Lee Browne) to move his cattle to market. Although I didn't much like Bruce Dern's role because of what he does to John Wayne's character, he reveals how well he can successfully play a low-life character with no remorse. If you are seeking a good western film with alittle bit of everything, i.e., action, humor, sorrow, thought-provoking situations, then this will undoubtably fill your plate.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Great Movie

    A must have movie for any John Wayne fan.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Getting Even

    The Duke at his best, fighting for his life and the Oscar while teaching the tough realities of life to a bunch of ruffian kids and made them cowboys when they fight back against the evil outlaws.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Movie Person

    Wonderful, it's cute funny adventurious! Absolutley Wonderful!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Magnificent!

    This is a truly wonderful movie. I would reccomend it to anyone who likes action, comedy, and a small bit of tragedy. I loved it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    This John Wayne Movie Is A Classic

    This John Wayne movie is a classic that stands the test of time. The story is timeless and the cast is superb, this was the first ''big'' movie for Robert Carradine and A Martinez. It has a good mix of action and drama as well as heartwarming moments.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 29, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 26, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews