The Cowboys (1974)

73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(9,047 ratings)

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… More 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 rustler named Long Hair, while Roscoe Lee Browne portrays Jebediah, the cattle drive cook, and Colleen Dewhurst is Kate, a madam. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Mark Rydell
Written By: William Dale Jennings, Irving Ravetch (, Irving Ravetch, Frank Harriet,
Genres: Western, Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1972 Wide
On DVD: Oct 6, 1998

Critic Reviews

Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
A coming-of-age film of the toughest sort. Far from Wayne's best, but nevertheless a movie whose ending ignites a heated discussion.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
A forgotten masterpiece.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Warner Deluxe Edition, part of John Wayne's centennial celebration (May 2007), includes commentary from director Mark Rydell, reunion featurette of cast and crew, essay titled the Breaking of Boys and the Making of Men, and the theatrical trailer.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
I found much of the picture slow-going and the values it espouses suspect. Nevertheless.... (HD-DVD Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
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.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
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.
Dragan Antulov, Draxblog Movie Reviews
how old Hollywood promoted conservative agenda with the skill and efficiency modern-day liberals and leftists can only dream about
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An engaging late John Wayne Western, though the macho philosophy of the need to kill might turn off the more liberal viewer.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jameson W

A great John Wayne movie!
Dean M

This is the best John Wayne's latter-day Westerns. He's more like grandfatherhood at his age to a group of young school boys as his drivers in order to get his cattle to market, but the kids learn well. Bruce Dern is on hand as the outlaw leader who fights our hero in one of… More
This is the best John Wayne's latter-day Westerns. He's more like grandfatherhood at his age to a group of young school boys as his drivers in order to get his cattle to market, but the kids learn well. Bruce Dern is on hand as the outlaw leader who fights our hero in one of the genre's most memorable (and violent) scenes since <i>Red River</i>. 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. <center>Most quote: <i>"We're burning daylight."</i></center>
Alec B

A John Wayne film that was brave enough to kill him before the film was over. The film seems like it could be a lighthearted affair. An old cowboy hires a bunch of near-do-well boys to help on a cattle drive. While the film produces some comedic moments, it never hides the harsh… More
A John Wayne film that was brave enough to kill him before the film was over. The film seems like it could be a lighthearted affair. An old cowboy hires a bunch of near-do-well boys to help on a cattle drive. While the film produces some comedic moments, it never hides the harsh realities of the west. One of the boys is killed at the beggining while caught in a stampead. And the boys watch as John Wayne is gunned down trying to protect them from some cattle rustlers. The boys seek revenge and do some killing of their own. Much darker and better than I expected it to be.
Chad R

I've broke my back once, and my hip twice. And on my worst day I could still beat the hell out of you.
Moe E

My favorite John Wayne movie... Bruce Dern is awesome as a dirtbag, too!

Cast

            John Wayne as Wil Anderson

            Roscoe Lee Browne as Jebediah Nightlinger

            Bruce Dern as Asa Watts ("Long Hair")

            Colleen Dewhurst as Kate

            Slim Pickens as Anse

            Lonny Chapman as Preacher

            Alfred Barker Jr. as Singing Fats

            Nicolas Beauvy as Four Eyes

            Steve Benedict as Steve

            Jim Burk as Pete

            Robert Carradine as Slim Honeycutt

            Chuck Courtney as Stunts

            Sarah Cunningham as Annie Andersen

            Richard Farnsworth as Henry Williams

            Kent Hays as Stunts

            Norman Howell Jr. as Weedy

            Stephen R. Hudis as Charlie Schwartz

            A Martinez as Cimarron

            Allyn Ann McLerie as Ellen Price

            Clay O'Brien as Hardy Fimps

            Charles Tyner as Jenkins

            Henry Wills as Stunts

            Joe Yrigoyen as Stunts

            Matt Clark as Smiley

            Gary Epper as Stunts

            Larry Finley as Jake

            Jerry Gatlin as Howdy

            Larry Randles as Ben

            Walter Scott as Okay

            Margaret Kelly as Stuttering Bob's mother

            Tap Canutt as Stunts

            Sam O'Brien as Jimmy Phillips

            Mike Pyeatt as Homer Weems

            Sean Kelly as Stuttering Bob

            Mark Rydell
            
See full cast

The Cowboys (1974)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Jameson W

Dean M

Alec B

Chad R

Moe E

Cast