The Cowboys (1972)
Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 3
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 1
liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 9,306
Movie Info
In 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
Jan 1, 1972 Wide
Oct 6, 1998
WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
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Cast
-
John Wayne
Wil Anderson -
Roscoe Lee Browne
Jebediah Nightlinger -
Bruce Dern
Asa Watts ("Long Hair") -
Colleen Dewhurst
Kate -
Slim Pickens
Anse -
Lonny Chapman
Preacher -
Alfred Barker Jr.
Singing Fats -
Nicolas Beauvy
Four Eyes -
Steve Benedict
Steve -
Jim Burk
Pete -
Robert Carradine
Slim Honeycutt -
Chuck Courtney
Stunts -
Sarah Cunningham
Annie Andersen -
Tony Epper
Rustler -
Richard Farnsworth
Henry Williams -
Kent Hays
Stunts -
Norman Howell Jr.
Weedy -
Stephen R. Hudis
Charlie Schwartz -
A Martinez
Cimarron -
Allyn Ann McLerie
Ellen Price -
Clay O'Brien
Hardy Fimps -
Charles Tyner
Jenkins -
Henry Wills
Stunts -
Joe Yrigoyen
Stunts -
Matt Clark
Smiley -
Gary Epper
Stunts -
Larry Finley
Jake -
Jerry Gatlin
Howdy -
Larry Randles
Ben -
Walter Scott
Okay -
Margaret Kelly
Stuttering Bob's mother -
Tap Canutt
Stunts -
Sam O'Brien
Jimmy Phillips -
Mike Pyeatt
Homer Weems -
Sean Kelly
Stuttering Bob -
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All Critics (15) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (3) | DVD (11)
A coming-of-age film of the toughest sort. Far from Wayne's best, but nevertheless a movie whose ending ignites a heated discussion.
A forgotten masterpiece.
Even with a closing that breaks with tradition, The Cowboys is not as eventful as one would have hoped for in a John Wayne movie.
At the center of this picture, just as in Red River, is the passing of the Western mores and masculinity code from John Wayne to the younger generation. Rydell's Western is formulaic and familiar, but the Duke is in top form.
how old Hollywood promoted conservative agenda with the skill and efficiency modern-day liberals and leftists can only dream about
An engaging late John Wayne Western, though the macho philosophy of the need to kill might turn off the more liberal viewer.
Audience Reviews for The Cowboys
Super Reviewer
Along as a second role model is Roscoe Lee Browne. Possessor of one of the greatest speaking voices in the English speaking world, Browne is the first black man they've ever met. In fact one of the kids uses the "N" word when first meeting him, out of ignorance more than racism. Browne sets them straight by example more than preaching.
The oldest two kids, A Martinez and Robert Carradine, have gone on to some considerable adult careers which they are still enjoying. All the kids are a winning bunch however.
Most quote: "We're burning daylight."
Super Reviewer
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- Wil Anderson: Well, here's my word get the hell off my spread now.
-
- Wil Anderson: Had my back broke once and my hip twice, and on my worst day I get to beat the hell out of you.
-
- Jebediah Nightlinger: [the boys are acting innocent, while scheming to steal a bottle of whiskey] Boys are always guilty of something nasty. What could it be this time, I wonder?
-
- Hardy Fimps: I never noticed before, but most of the people I know are quiet compared to Mr. Andersen.
- Slim Honeycutt: He's quiet... it just comes out loud.
-
- Wil Anderson: You know, trail driving is not Sunday school picnic. You got to figure you're dealing with the dumbest oneriest critter on God's green earth. The cow is nothing but trouble tied up in a leather bag - and the horse ain't much better.
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- Cimarron: They didn't even dig him a decent grave.
- Wil Anderson: Well, it's not how you're buried, it's how you're remembered.
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Movie: ID: 10814 Title: The Cowboys Release Date: 1972-01-01 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 2 Status: 1
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Foreign Titles
- Die Cowboys (DE)
- The Cowboys (1972) (UK)
