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The Cowboys
1972 134 min United States of America PG 16+
★7.1
Western, Adventure, Drama, Action
Director: Mark Rydell
Trailers
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Description
When his cattlemen abandon him for the gold fields, rancher Wil Andersen is forced to take on a collection of young boys as his cowboys in order to get his herd to market in time to avoid financial disaster. The boys learn to do a man's job under Andersen's tutelage, however, neither he nor the boys know that a gang of cattle thieves is stalking them.
Budget:
$6M
Worldwide:
$7.5M
Starring
John Wayne
Actor
Roscoe Lee Browne
Actor
Bruce Dern
Actor
Awards
1 win total
Key opinion
The Cowboys is a compelling, if occasionally uneven, western that centers on the maturation of young boys through a dangerous cattle drive. It is widely praised for John Wayne’s vulnerable performance and Bruce Dern’s menacing villainy, though critics remain divided over the film’s narrative structure and tonal consistency.
| Acting | John Wayne delivers a uniquely vulnerable performance that effectively anchors the emotional weight of the film. | |
| Acting | Bruce Dern provides a genuinely menacing presence as the primary antagonist, creating a high-stakes conflict. | |
| Theme | The film explores complex coming-of-age themes, depicting the loss of innocence through external hardship rather than mere mentorship. | |
| Cinematography | Cinematography by Surtees captures the duality of the American West, balancing pastoral beauty with the constant threat of violence. | |
| Acting | The performances of the young ensemble cast receive varying assessments, with some viewers finding them uneven and others highlighting standout individual efforts. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the film's pacing and narrative flow are split; some appreciate the gradual, character-driven development, while others view the plot as over-worn or slow to unfold. | |
| Ending | The final act draws polarizing reactions, with critics debating the realism of the conclusion and the effectiveness of the accompanying musical score. |