The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
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100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(9,818 ratings)
Henry Hathaway directs the 1965 psychological Western The Sons of Katie Elder. Four sons reunite in their Texas hometown to attend their mother's funeral. John (John Wayne) is the gunfighter, Tom (Dean Martin) is the gambler, Matt (Earl Holliman) is the quiet one, and Bud (Michael Anderson Jr.)… More Henry Hathaway directs the 1965 psychological Western The Sons of Katie Elder. Four sons reunite in their Texas hometown to attend their mother's funeral. John (John Wayne) is the gunfighter, Tom (Dean Martin) is the gambler, Matt (Earl Holliman) is the quiet one, and Bud (Michael Anderson Jr.) is the youngest. They soon learn that their father gambled away the family ranch, leading to his own murder. The brothers decide to find their father's killer and get back the ranch, even though they are discouraged to do so by local Sheriff Billy Wilson (Paul Fix). When the sheriff turns up dead, the Elder boys are blamed for the murder. Deputy Sheriff Ben Latta (Jeremy Slate) joins forces with the only witnesses of the murder: Morgan Hastings (James Gregory) and his son Dave (Dennis Hopper). A gunfight breaks out between the Hastings gang and the Elder gang. After his brother Matt is killed, John decides to settle the ranch dispute in a court of law with a judge (Sheldon Allman). However, Tom decides to take matters into his own hands by kidnapping Dave. After the final climactic gunfight, John and the wounded Bud retreat to a rooming house owned by Mary Gordon (Martha Hyer). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- Henry Hathaway
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Action & Adventure
- In Theaters
- Jul 1, 1965 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Fun, often exciting Wayne western with great cast.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Undemanding psychological Western.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Henry Hathaway's 1965 enjoyable Western was extremely popular at the box office--it was John Wayne's first movie after his bout with cancer.
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Jaime N. Christley, Apollo Guide
Those who favour the big-hearted Americana and rolling landscapes of non-revisionist westerns could do far worse than this movie.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Wayne
as John Elder
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Dean Martin
as Tom Elder
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Martha Hyer
as Mary Gordon
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Michael Anderson Jr.
as Bud Elder
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Earl Holliman
as Matt Elder
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Jeremy Slate
as Deputy Sheriff Ben Latta
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Dennis Hopper
as Dave Hastings
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James Gregory
as Morgan Hastings
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Paul Fix
as Sheriff Billy Wilson
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George Kennedy
as Curley
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Sheldon Allman
as Judge Harry Evers
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John Litel
as Minister
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John Doucette
as Undertaker Hyselman
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James Westerfield
as Venner the banker
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Rhys Williams
as Charlie Bob Striker
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John Qualen
as Charlie Biller
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Rodopho (Rudy) Acosta
as Blondie Adams
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Strother Martin
as Jeb Rost
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Percy Helton
as Storekeeper Peevey
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Karl Swenson
as Doc Isdel/Bartender
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Harvey Grant
as Jeb
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Boyd 'Red' Morgan
as Burr Sandeman
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Chuck Roberson
as Stunts
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Ralph Volkie
as Bit Man
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Jack Williams
as Andy Sharp
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Henry Wills
as Gus Dolly
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Joe Yrigoyen
as Buck Mason
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Jerry Gatlin
as Amboy
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Loren Janes
as Ned Reese
