Editorial Review

This Western has become a modest cult favorite since its release in 1993, when the film was met with mixed reviews but the performances of Kurt Russell (as Wyatt Earp) and especially Val Kilmer, for his memorably eccentric performance as the dying gunslinger Doc Holliday, garnered high praise. The movie opens with Wyatt Earp trying to put his violent past behind him, living happily in Tombstone with his brothers and the woman (Dana Delany) who puts his soul at ease. But a murderous gang called the Cowboys has burst on the scene, and Earp can't keep his gun belt off any longer. The plot sounds routine, and in many ways it is, but Western buffs won't mind a bit thanks to a fine cast and some well-handled action on the part of Read more

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Reviews (320)

tombstone
One of the greatest westerns ever made.
Love, Hate, Drama...
One of my all time favorite movies. The cast is superb and all the performances are excellent.

JUST A REAL KEEPSAKE!
The best western I have ever seen. I can watch this movie over and over again. The addition of the directors cut is a fasinating look behind the scenes. Worth every dollar spent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Westerns   

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Reviews (10)

More than 100 minutes of pure fun !
I must say I decided to review this film because it had so much negative reviews. I LOVE this film. It's pure fun and completely crazy and it's fine like that. If you want to watch an art film, don't watch an Elvis Presley film.
PleaseRelease This On DVD!!!!!!!!
Please release this wonderful Evis Classic"Stay Away Joe" on DVD.So spread the word.Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DANCES WITH WOLVES of 1968
Before people lose their minds about the title of my review, just think about this: I genuinely wonder how the Native American community viewed this film when it was released.Sure, the stereotypes we see in STAY AWAY, JOE are now considered highly offensive--that Native Americans are irresponsible and alcoholic and such--but were they thrilled to be shown in a movie where they weren't getting shot off a horse by John Wayne?
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock & Roll   

Editorial Review

The so-called spaghetti Western achieved its apotheosis in Sergio Leone's magnificently mythic (and utterly outlandish) Read more

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Reviews (286)

The Greatest Movie Ever Made
Their hasn't been a movie that has had such a profound effect on me as Once Upon a Time in The West. Their hasn't been a movie that has moved me, or flat out touched me the way this movie has. It's nearly three hours long and let me tell you, it doesn't seem like it. We are treated with top notch direction by the great Sergio Leone. He mesmerizes us with his camera angles, breathtaking visuals, and gets the best out of his actors! Henry Fonda has never been more menacing and cold blooded on screen. Charles Bronson is at his best and I personally think it's his best role. Jason Robards was outstanding. Claudia Cardinale has never been more beautiful and in my opinion an actress has never looked so good on screen as Claudia looked in Once Upon a Time in the West. We are also treated with an haunting score by the genius and frequent partner of Sergio Leone, Ennio Morricone. This is agruably the best music score of all time. It will touch you, and send chills up your spine! If you're a fan of Epics, and love a great story, Once Upon a Time in The West is the movie for you! Don't rent it, go out and buy it! Trust me!

A Great Movie - Must Buy If You Love Westerns
This is an amazing work of art. A must buy for anyone who loves westerns. (Anyone who loves Sergio Leone already has it.) The documentary is interesting also. It is all testosterone, however, so if you do not like that sort of thing (not necessarily that your are a "chick"), you will hate this movie and not appreciate the art. If you liked the Clint Eastwood westerns (especially Good, Bad, Ugly, done by Leone), this is your next step. Big Characters and Big Themes, done Big, but beautifully well.
The best Western ever made
When one thinks of auteurs who invested themselves frequently in the Western genre, a few names come to mind: John Ford, Sam Peckinpah, Sergio Leone. Ford's films featured absolutely beautiful photography and locations with poignant storytelling, Peckinpah's films were often blood-soaked stories of the West, and Leone's films were operatic, highly stylized epics. While popular opinion holds Ford as the definitive Western auteur (and he most likely is), Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West's nostalgic and meloncholy take on the death of the Old West is simply beautiful. Everything about this film is perfect, from the unforgettable score to the excellent performances to the powerful climax. Leone crafts a bittersweet farewell to the Western, telling the story of the mythic cowboy's demise at the hands of westward expansion (via the railroad). This film will entertain you for its running time and haunt you for long afterwards. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Westerns   

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Reviews (9)

Nice Appaloosa, good actors, slow plotting
Matt Fletcher (Marlon Brando), is a tight-lipped loner who returns from the Civil War to his surrogate family in the border town of Ojo Prieto to settle down. When Matt's prize Appaloosa stallion (played by Cojo Rojo) is stolen by bad banditos and spirited away to Mexico, he goes after them with a vengeance. Somewhat slow, and the title character isn't in the movie all that much.
Not sure how to feel about this one
As much as I'd love to love this film,it didn't really do it for me. Although I did love Brando's performance in this movie as a weary run-down man ready to start a new life, but disrupted by thieves who steal his prized appaloosa. And although the movie is beautifully shot, there are some funky camera angles and close-ups that could have been done away with. The story is short and very simplistic, which is not a big problem, but it could have had a little more meat to it. Like for example, the ending shoot-out scene. Brando's character fires a line of shots and the main antagonist is killed, just like that, so simple, no real tension build up, no long series of shots fired back and forth just a few shots and that was that. I was left sitting there saying, "Is that it?" I guess I can say I liked the film a liitle bit, but didn't love it. If you must see this film by all means rent it from the library or video store, or catch it on AMC. But if you just can't resist, then order it used and as cheaply as possible...sorry

Brando in Fury-And in a Furie.
Great Brando and from the director of 'The Ipcress file'. Thus more than the necessary 'Close ups' that we like so much.Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Westerns   

Editorial Review

Here's the alpha point of Elvis Presley's film career, the introduction of the raw-boned Mississippi boy into Hollywood pictures. E.P. takes a supporting role, and his entrance is delayed for nearly 20 minutes: kid brother to returning Civil War soldier Richard Egan, his character marries Egan's sweetheart Debra Paget when Egan is presumed dead. It's a chance for Elvis, his face still trembling with baby fat, to emote dramatically and finish tragically, both of which he does passably well. A serviceable Western, the film shamelessly shoehorns four Presley tunes into two sequences: E.P. crooning on mama's porch, and performing at a country fair (where starchy locals don't seem disturbed at the boy's gyrating hips and happy feet). All in all, a shrewd way to put a foot in Hollywood's doorway, and, of course, one of the last Presley movies to feel like a real film and not a vehicle for the King. Read more

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Reviews (16)

B&W or color?
I bought mine and it's in black and white, not colorized as the store claims to be. So I would give all the stores selling this item as colorized version a zero star!!!!

NOT IN COLOR (as advertised by Amazon!)
Now, WHAT a major disappointment! Look at the product description. It says: "Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC"
Here'sa raw Presley appearing in his film debut
For anyone who enjoys Elvis Presley's earlier films, Love Me Tender is a must buy.Presley was not even the top star of this film, but by now, the other actors are long forgotten, and Elvis Presley is a household name. This post Civil war bittersweet romance does not offer an overwhelming plot, but I enjoyed the rough edges in the characterization of the caring, but short-tempered, young Texas farmer that Presley portrays, The film does not contain a host of Elvis' songs as do his later musicals, but his sensitive rendition of "Love Me Tender" is unforgettable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie    3. Musicals   

Editorial Review

Any short list of the all-time greatest Westerns is bound to include this 1948 Howard Hawks classic about an epic cattle drive. Read more

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Reviews (64)

"Funny what night does to a man!"
John Wayne plays a rancher, Dunston, who has a large ranch north of the Rio Grande in Texas.His adopted son Matt (Montgomery Cliff) returns from the Civil war to assist his father on the ranch. Due to post-war economic conditions, ranchers in Texas are unable to sell cattle locally. Dunston determines to drive 10,000 head of cattle to Missouri one thousand miles away. The trials and tribulations of the cattle drive, as well as the intricacies of the relationship between father and son are the primary focus of the movie.
Epic Western that is Character Driven
John Wayne at his best. An all star cast lift this film from a western genre to an intense character driven plot. An ego driven John Wayne is not so lovable as he pulls out the darker side of his character Tom Dunson. In his screen debut Montgomery Clift is riveting as Mathew Garth. He pushes his character into principles first as he is forced to go against his mentor. A great classic movie with great direction, great acting, and photograpy. If you are a western fan and a John Wayne fan... this classic is a must to own.

I tried, but I'm sorry it just isn't a very enjoyable movie to watch.
After reading all the accolades and excitement about this movie, I went ahead and bought it.It has been decades since I saw a John Wayne film, but I do remember that he was not known for his acting range.I will say I thought his performance was good and his character was somewhat interesting.But the overall story was only mildly engaging, and I found the violence to be gratuitous.I'm all for violence when it is properly placed and appropriate, but I just didn't find the final scene, where Dunson kills Cherry and then makes up with Matt just yards away, to be believable.As they wrap up the light-hearted ending, I am still thinking about Cherry (who appeared in the movie nearly the entire way from Texas) lying dead just a camera pan away, while we are just supposed to forget about him and laugh it up about how Dunson isn't such a bad guy after all.I guess I just missed the point about how Dunston could just mow down so many people throughout the movie, and then at the end suddenly everything's supposed to be fine.I guess that is how we are supposed to believe the Old West was, but for me it left me cold. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Westerns   

Editorial Review

Akira Kurosawa's rousing Read more

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Reviews (119)

seven samuri:The farmers always win.
The magnificent seven parallel the characters in seven samurai:1. Old man consults village leaders too fight the bandits and adventure to the city seeking men willing to protect the village 2. Vin and Chris decide take a funeral hurst, up a hill, and deliver the body of an indian chief at the burial site. An act of valour that brings fame to Chris.3. Chico is the young man, who wants to be part of the group but humilated by Chris in a quick draw contest, where Chris grabs Chico gun midflow. 4. Harry Luck joins the fight believing that Chris is scheming to defend the village because Chris has discovered Gold.In the scene where Harry has been shot and dieing, he asks Chris how much gold was found and Chris tells him half a million dollars worth. 5. Bernardo O'Reilly joins the group referred by Harry as an expert gunfighter. 6. Britt is the expert weapons specialist. Britt kills a man in a duel after being provoked in the fight.Britt beats the man in a draw and lodges his switch blade in the chest of the man before he can pull his weapon.Britt is the expectionally skilled fighter. The weapons specialist.Vin is also an exceptional clever gunfighter with a trade mark ability to shot in 360 degrees almost instanteously. 7. Lee joins the group and is supposely on the running from his enemies.Lee figures staying in Mexico will provide him a hiding place from his enemies.Lee is impartial to the villagers cause, but an exceptional fighter.In one scene Lee manages to kick in a door, enter, and kill a room full of bandits with injurying any of the villagers. Lee is killed in the last standoff.8. Chico discovers Petra and falls in love with her.After the last battle with the bandits, Chico returns to live with Petra in the village.Chico is the son of a farmer and not really a gunfighter but his boldness and courage win him a place among the magnificent seven 9.Chris is offensive and attacks the bandit hide out increasing the odds of survival. 10.Some of the farmers want to meekly give the bandits food, money, and women.Chris refuses this idea and teaches the villagers how to shoot guns. 11. Calvera is a new innovation in villians. Calvera is clever and whitty. Calvera underestimates Chris determination too defend the village and as he is dieing says, "I don't understand, your not suppose to be that type of man."

One of the better US-style westerns
Looking back at westerns in a 21st century point of view, sometimes we tend to look to into the acting and production styles of a different era. Our opinions may jump quickly at these differences, but we must recognize the style of the era and the technology up to the era as well. In Sturges' The Magnificent Seven, an all-star cast is assembled to bring the Seventh Samurai in a western setting. The ones that stand out are Yul Brynner as Chris, the Bald-Headed leader that still carries himself like a king. He never takes his hat off and doesn't break a sweat. Steve Mcqueen in an earlier role is memorable as well with his non-verbal acting. To me though, Eli Wallach shines as Calvera the "heel" with more liberty to exhibit more flair than the rest of the cast. He plays his role so good that in the end, I always root for him.
A weak, sexist, American piece of bubbly cheese.
Yul Brynner stalks about like he's in Westworld, acting super-tough, smoking every chance he gets. Steve McQueen, as always, is terrible. As for the rest of the "7", their acting is atrocious to non-existent. Only Eli Wallach walks away unscathed. Yet if these things are irritating, it is the blatantly sexist and racist undertones to the entire affair that just make it heinous. Yul Brynner actually says that he "might" rape the women of the town in one scene sarcastically. Amazing this could have ever been construed as being "tough". It's just ridiculous, and these distinctions are what sepeartes this pathetic remake from the masterpiece it shames. But I'll give it one extra star for being relatively well staged and directed.
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Reviews (14)

Elvis in Charro....AWESOME
A Different Kind of Role, A Different Kind of Man sums it all up. This by far was Elvis' best movie. Elvis himself loved this movie more then any he had done. He even liked this better then King Creole. I spoke with James Sikking (Gunner in the movie)and he told me that at the cast party Elvis told him that this movie had been his best so far. Elvis Presley in a beard and not breaking out into a song or dance...he must have loved it. Check out the movie and tell them Jess Wade sent ya :)

Not that bad !
Not that bad of a movie...Elvis made alot worse. Tht title song is great as sung over the credits !

No songs for Elvis,....
At this point of his career Elvis was indeed frustrated and bombarded with just bad ideas and scripts for movies.In an obvious attempt to cash in on the Clint Eastwood experience and western genre,..Elvis was cast in "Charro!"I saw this movie in it's first run in 1969 at my local hometown theater,...I was 12 years old and you can believe that true to the time,..Elvis was in fine form.I had never saw a movie that he had not sung in,(san the title song in the opening credits,..that was done offscreen,)and I had found it very interesting to see him in these different surroundings,..basicly unshaven and unkempt for the most part."Charro!" has the elements that most films of the time contained,..the choice between "good" and that of "evil."An anti-hero in Jess Wade,..the man with the "scar on his neck,...and vengeance on his hip,..proved a substantial change-up to the Elvis character's portrayed in lighter fare of the past.In retrospect I can certainly see the flaws that one might see with 35 years of hindsight into production values and writing capabilities and what a great director could do.But in 1969 when I was 12 sitting in that dark theater with a bag of dime popcorn,...you can bet I did not care. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Movie    3. Westerns   

Editorial Review

John Wayne, that pillar of machismo, was well aware that costar Rock Hudson was gay, yet he prized him as a boon companion, a fellow professional, and one hell of a bridge player.Each plays a Civil War commander who, after the ceasefire, leads a community of home folks into Mexico to make a fresh start. Hudson is a Southern gentleman; Wayne commanded the Yankee cavalry at Shiloh, where Hudson's brother died.Nevertheless, Rock, with his extended family, and Duke, with his troop of cowboys and 3,000 horses to sell to Emperor Maximilian, soon join forces to outgun banditos and beam paternally over the budding romance between their respective daughter and son (an adopted Indian played by footballer Roman Gabriel with Crystal Gayle hair).Lingering North-South animosities are celebrated in an obligatory communal fistfight in the Andrew V. McLaglen manner, and the showdown with both Maximilian's lancers and the rebel Juaristas is disconcertingly perfunctory.Read more

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Reviews (23)

undefeated
I think this movie is a great movie because Blueboy a cool character to help other people.

Thought it was great when I was a kid, but on second thought...
However, the scene at the end where they fight the French is great, so add it to your video shelf next to "Major Dundee"...

A solid Wayne Post 'War-between-the-states' Western. Ode to Roman Gabriel!
Also, Merlin Olsen, another of George
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Subjects:  1. Action    2. Adventure    3. Movie    4. Westerns   

Editorial Review

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." That's more than the code of a newspaperman in Read more

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Reviews (86)

THE LAST GREATWESTERN By JOHN FORD
America's Greatest Director John Ford had at age 67 had one more great Western to add to his canon, Cheyenne Autumn, which followed two years later was well intended, but just average.This story is the story of a myth, but one that is allowed to live on because, " This is the West,...and when the myth becomes the legend, print the legend ", or so says Shinbone newspaper editor Carleton Young ( Ford's favoriteWASP ) to Senator Ransom Stoddard, played by Jimmy Stewart, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ".The Senator is back in Shinebone to attend the funeral of Tom Doniphon ( John Wayne). Stoddard is famous, Doniphon unknown, and here is where the story takes off with Stewart telling Young and Paul Birch the real story of Liberty Valance.
Thought provoking western....
This is a well told story about the changing times of the Old West. Statehood and civilization stand poised on the edge of a small western town(Shinbone) anxiously awaiting a push to get started.An unlikely savior comes to town in the guise of an Eastern tenderfoot lawyer named Ransom Stoddard(Jimmy Stewart).After his baptism by fire at the hands of Liberty Valance(Lee Marvin), while trying to defend a female passenger during a stage holdup, he is befriended by the rugged individualist Tom Doniphon(John Wayne).Stoddard brings ideals, law and order into a town that has pretensions for..but not much else.The town of Shinbone is full of good people and all the right things to make it completely civilized. What is needed is a spark or event to move them in the right direction. That spark or event is a showdown shootout with Liberty Valance and an unwitting Ransom Stoddard.The results, of the shootout, catapult the territory and Stoddard on to their destiny.
The twilight of the old west!
Liberty Valance is often cited as one of the top westerns of all time.The opening shot portrays the theme of the film--a locomotive chugging busily through wild country symbolizing the coming of civilization to the West.John Ford directs this classic black-and-white movie even though most filming by 1962 was done in color.Apparently Ford chose to film Liberty Valance in black-and-white to emphasize the classic theme.
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Reviews (14)

Lukewarm Welch Western Wastes Potential
Hannie Caulder is a Western that isn't horrible, but could have been much more than what it is.
Above average 70s western drama
I caught this on the tube, having not seen it in over 30 years. I was expecting something very campy, in keeping with Raquel Welch's overall film oeuvre and was rather pleasantly surprised. Despite flaws, this is an above average western with the unusual addition of a strong female protagonist. Revenge western with Raquel
Hannie Caulder is a surprisingly good western with a very good cast.After a failed bank robbery, three bumbling brothers come upon a lone house in the desert.They kill the man of the house and rape his wife, Hannie.The trio burns the house and leaves her for dead.However, Hannie survives hoping to one day get her revenge on the three gunmen.She runs into a bounty hunter who begins to teach her how to handle and fire a gun with some sort of accuracy so she will be able to exact her revenge on the brothers.In a way, this is the female version of Nevada Smith with Hannie chasing after three gunmen just like Steve McQueen's character, Max, did in Nevada Smith.The gunfights are well choreographed with blood squibs, ala The Wild Bunch.Hannie Caulder is a very good revenge western that is well worth a watch.Read more

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Reviews (57)

A Curious and Amazing Film!
First off, prospective film buyer, do not be put off by this DVD's genuinely horrible artwork, for it disguises a remarkable tale. The script for 7 FACES OF DR. LAO was by Charles Beaumont, a talented man who (among other achievements) wrote over a dozen classic TWILIGHT ZONE stories. And there are shades of a ZONE episode to be found in this unlikely tale. Perhaps most notable are its clever and eminently quotable lines of dialogue, which can be attributed to Beaumont and Charles Finney, whose novel was the basis for the storyline.
Seven Faces of Dr. Lao
The movie is as good as I remember it to be.The shipment came quickly and was in perfect condition.

seven faces of Dr. loa
It was a great story, could be done much better now with the special effects..I've already watched three times. ... Read more

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Reviews (3)

Don't Shoot the Piano Player
I watched "The Wild Rovers" last night mainly because I have always enjoyed the acting of William Holden (as well as Karl Malden who also plays a major role in the movie).Holden has such a quick, yet (by American standards) articulate delivery that he sounds like an effusive Bob Hope in a dramatic role.He has made every movie I've seen him in better because of his presence in the cast.Sometimes, however, the structure of the movie fails to support the quality of the cast.For me, the problems with "The Wild Rovers" is not Holden or any of the actors; it's Blake Edwards.
One of the best westerns ever
MY RATING- 7.6 A Real Western
Much like "Unforgiven" , this western falls more in the reality of the wild west than the "typical western".The characters;such as Karl Malden as the hard rancher patriarch, William Holden's happygo lucky cowboy, Tom Skerrit and Joe Don Baker as the two sons who live intheir father's (Maldin) shadow are real character's that develop and grow. This movie stays away from thin stale western stereotypes.Very humorousbantering between Holden and O'neal adds a nice touch to the movie, but thehumor is never used to soften the violence or emotional impact of themovie.There are no "good guys" and "bad guys" either. Much like the real world everyone in this picture has an angle on thetruth and whats right.The director leaves it to the viewer to decidewhats right instead of spoon feeding it to you with"black-hat/white-hat" simplicity.Wonderful movie particularlyfor the western fan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Movie    3. Westerns   

Editorial Review

The hit Broadway musical from the 1940s gets a lavish if not always exciting workout in this 1955 film version directed by old lion Fred Zinnemann (Read more

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Reviews (109)

20th Century Ripoff!!!
I specifically waited to buy this on DVD hoping to get a Todd-AO version and not just the Cinemascope version.The freaking Laserdisc looks better than this!I, for one, will not be buying any more "special editions" without reading the reviews in Amazon or elsewhere when it comes to 20th Century ripoff.This release reminds me of all the 20Th Laserdiscs that were first released when laser was just starting out and how poorly the transfers were treated...now it seems we're right back to the good old bad transfer days of yore.Yuk, I recommend that no one buy ANY of their discs (especially the upcoming crappy versions of STAR WARS non-anamorphic, non-5.1 sound original movies).These people suck big time!
great
A true musical theater classic.Wonderful melodies that will last for years to come.
Visual diappointment for a great format
Like several others, I agree that the Cinemascope version was well presented, but what a disappointment as far as the Todd-ao digital transfer! The original release I bought in 1999 gives a much clearer and brighter Todd-ao version that gives you a much better idea of what the original may have looked like. I enjoyed seeing "The Miracle of Todd-ao" again, but similarly the realism that was present in the original was lost, either due to poor quality of stock or inabilty to be able to digitally correct and sharpen the image. (I find it hard to imagine that Fox couldn't resore it better).There was an apology printed on our Region 4 version.
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musical Features    3. Musicals    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings    5. Musicals (Theatrical)   

Editorial Review

Henry King's 1939 Read more

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Reviews (6)

A great sequel to Jesse James
If you have ever seen the Tyrone Power movie of Jesse James, this is a must.If you have not seen it, this is still a great movie.The film picks up where the first ended and runs from there.Henry Fonda is simply great as the slow talking but extremely wily Frank James.much of the cast carries over into this sequel with is seamless in production.It was very well written and beautifully filmed.This is a good one to watch.Better yet,get both and watch them together.It will be a hoot.

A well-crafted fable of Wild West outlaw Frank James
Frank James learns his infamous outlaw brother Jesse has been shot dead in the back by the cowardly Ford brothers. The peaceable and laconic Frank at first doesn't seek revenge, deciding instead to leave the killers' capture and punishment to the law. Bob and Charlie Ford are summarily caught and found guilty, but are pardoned immediately by the governor. So Frank picks up his guns and goes a-hunting for the murdering varmints. The film follows his relentless quest to bring his brother's murderers to justice. Along the way, he fends for his foolhardy young charge Clem and strikes a friendship with the beautiful Eleanor Stone, would-be reporter of the Star. After a lot of absorbing exposition and some action, the film culminates in the spirited trial of Frank James, on charges of murder and robbery.
THE OLD WEST IN TECHNICOLOR.
Jesse James's brother avenges his murder. Producer Daryl F. Zanuck shocked the Hollywood community when he chose, off all people, Fritz Lang, the German director to make this sequel to the immensely popular 1939 film JESSE JAMES. It was a mixed bouquet of wild flowers: moody, at times too cutesy but very nicely photographed. Otis Ferguson once quipped: "I doubt if any character was ever as lily white as that of Frank James here, but that is a present form the Hays Office to you, and anyway the part is played by Henry Fonda. Durn if I don't like that boy". Cooper and especially John Carradine are fine in their performances. Hull's hammy playings is shown to advantage here, and Gene Tierney, although beautiful here, she clearly is not in her element as Eleanor Stone. Though Lang studied the American west by traveling and actually living among Navaho Indians, the whitewashed script defeats the director's attempt at successfully filming the destructive consequences of revenge. Henry Fonda was not wanting to work with Lang again after his tyrannical behaviour during the making of YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE three year priorly. When Lang promised to change his attitude, Hank relented. Bad mistake. The same fire exploded on the set and Fonda never worked with Lang again. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

Notorious as the first John Wayne film that does the unthinkable--subject Wayne's character to a nasty fate after only a short time--the 1972 Read more

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Reviews (70)

Thinking outside of the Duke's
First of all, An Overture, Entr'Acte, and Exit music. Rare indeed for a movie in the 1970's not to mention indicative of an epic (And in this case, also intimate) story.
Not your typical Duke flick. Has you cheering and tearing.
While not great by Hollywood standards (how many Duke flicks actually were?), relative to other Duke flicks and westerns in general, "The Cowboys" is actually a great watch. You won't have the constant action of a "Wild Bunch", nor the drama of a "High Noon." But that hardly seems the poiint of this movie. John Wayne is at his avuncular best while still retaining the bravado we all grew to know and love. Unusual story of Wayne's hiring of school boys to help him on his cattle drive brings a different twist to the ending. But the Duke okays the gutsy plot twist that will forever leave "The Cowboys" as one of the most memorable Wayne flicks of all time. Bruce Dern has one of his more effective roles as Wayne's antagonist. Forget those who say this movie isn't for kids. Most westerns weren't designed necessarily to teach kids morals, nor lessons. This film is no exception. But like any great western, you'll cheer, you'll hate, and you just might choke up. Many like myself, wanted the story to continue but were betrayed by a sappy, ill-conceived TV series that went nowhere. This is a must see for John Wayne fans and those who like a different twist to their westerns. I'd even say this is a movie lots of kids would like, especially given the content in most movies that kids watch today,

every now and then "the duke" reminded everyone of what a great actor he was
the cowboys stands along side the searchers,rio bravo,stagecoach,red river,and the shootest as proof that wayne was a very gifted actor. when his hands leave for a gold strike,mr.anderson(wayne) must take 11 school boys and turn them into cowboys to help him get his cattle to market. the trip is long, dangerous, and a learning time for all. wayne is very good as the rancher and he really shines whenever he is talking(yelling) at the boys. there is a feel here that he really thinks of the boys as sons and the boys hold there own with wayne which must have been tough to do. as for those who feel that the message of the movie is revenge,maybe they have missed the point,it's about pride ,honor,following through with your word,and most of all it's about learning that being a man of honor isn't easy but it is the only way to live your life.
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Westerns   

Features

• Black & White
• Closed-captioned
• HiFi Sound
• NTSC

Reviews (4)

Irritating crackling noises throughout.
I bought this video new.The story line is excellent.The acting is excellent.The scene in the courtroom is clever and excellent.The depiction of American history is excellent.The costumes are stylized and overwrought, as was typical during the earlier days of Hollywood.The film is an excellent teaching device for kids.This film was one of the eternal favorites of our parents' generation and our grandparents' generation.But there is a slight problem.There are irritating crackling noises throughout.Why is this? The crackling noises make the movie almost unbearable. I was only able to watch this otherwise excellent movie only once. I own about 50 videotapes, many of them bought second hand. Crackling noises of the same type occur on only one of these, namely, Three Stooges in Orbit, which I bought new.Can any of the reviewers of this product provide insight as to the source of the noises?Can somebody please tell the manufacturer that they need to do something about the noises.

Another Great Biography!!!
Fox made a bunch of these Bio classics and they are all superb.This one ranks right up there with the rest and is fairly accurate.Henry Fonda steels this picture though.He is very funny in the few scenes he is in.A very moving story that is factual as well as entertaining.Another homeschool friendly flick...with a tad bit more romance than Tom Edison, but nothing like movies of today.An ejoyable movie for the whole family that could breed some good discussion afterwards!

Romance and drama come together in this beautiful story!
This movie is a favorite classic! All the actors do a superb job at bringing together everything a good movie needs... suspense, romance... drama... good versus the evil businessmen... and it makes you feel good to watch it. I'm an electronics teacher and show this to my high school students who love the movie! (It is not easy to inspire kids these days!!!) I've seen it over 20 times now showing it to all my students, and still love watching it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Drama    3. Feature Film-drama    4. Movie    5. Westerns   

Features

• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (2)

Disappointing film of great book
The film version of A. B. Guthrie, Jr.'s Pulitzer Prize-winning novelis scenic but uncompelling. Reading the book, which is the middle volume of the Big Sky Trilogy (between _The Big Sky_ and _Fair Land, Fair Land_), the reader feels that he or she has been along on the first (1843) wagon train on what was to become the Oregon Trail. Watching the 1967 movie, the viewer sees a trio of highly competent male stars who appeared in many westerns--Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, and Richard Widmark--and the first movie appearance of Sally Field (already hammy). The movie (directed by the undistinguished mostly tv director Andrew McLaglen) shows various difficulties of the trip and some spectacular western scenery, but it's hard to care very much what happens to anyone on the trek.