Product ReviewsThe Cowboys ~ DVD ~ John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Browne (1972)

One of John Wayne's Best Movies

This movie highlights what was best about the old west, and John Wayne is the penultimate cowboy in it. He gathers together a group of cowboys to help him take a herd of cattle to market. And cowBOYS they are, too. When he can't locate any men to work with him, he goes to the local school house and offers the boys there the adventure of their lives. Of course, they show up on the appointed day, and from there on out those boys become men. Of the 11 boys selected for the film, 6 of them were actually boys from working ranches, so they knew what going on a trail ride entailed. The other 5 boys were actors selected by the casting company. The boys who were actors taught the boys who had ranching skills how to act, and the boys who had ranching skills taught the young actors how to ride, rope, and wrestle a steer to the ground. Bruce Dern portrays a Civil War vet who needs a job and resents that John Wayne has chosen boys instead of men. As a result, he and his group of ruffians proceed to harass the group, making things very difficult for them all. In the end, though, good triumphs--and the boys get the cattle to the railhead. But I won't tell you how or what happens to them and their leader because that would spoil the climax of the film, one that was both tense and tragic. This film is worth every penny you'll pay for it--and I have no doubt you'll watch it many times.Read full review...

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The Cowboys (DVD, 2007)

Rancher Wil Andersen (John Wayne) is forced to find replacement drovers for his yearly 400-mile (640 km) long cattle drive when all of his regular hands abandon him to join a gold rush. He rides into deserted Bozeman, Montana. There, Anse Peterson (Slim Pickens) suggests using local schoolboys. Andersen visits the school but departs unconvinced. The next morning, a group of the boys show up at Andersen's ranch to volunteer for the drive. Andersen tests the boys' ability to stay on a bucking horse. As the boys successfully take turns, Cimarron (A Martinez), another young man slightly older than the others, rides up. After successfully subduing and riding the test horse, Cimarron gets into a fight with Slim, the oldest of the boys. Andersen, though impressed by Cimarron's abilities, has misgivings because of his angry nature and sends him away. Andersen reluctantly decides to hire the boys.

While Andersen and the boys prepare for the cattle drive, a group of mysterious men led by "Long Hair" Asa Watts (Bruce Dern) show up asking for work. Andersen catches Watts in a lie about his past, and refuses to hire them. Jebediah "Jeb" Nightlinger (Roscoe Lee Browne), a Black camp cook arrives with a chuck wagon, making Anderson's trail crew complete.

Under Andersen's continued tutelage, the boys learn to rope, brand and herd the cattle and horses. Much to Andersen's concern, Cimarron follows the drive from afar. After saving the life of a boy who fell into the river and nearly drowned, Andersen allows Cimarron to join the drive. Slowly, the boys learn under Andersen's tutelage and become rather good cowhands, impressing both Andersen and Nightlinger.

Mr. Nightlinger's chuck wagon throws a wheel. As the cowboys continue to drive the herd, Mr. Nightlinger stays behind to fix the chuck wagon. That night, the rustlers surprise Andersen and the cowboys in night camp, leading to a fistfight between Andersen and Watts in which Andersen ultimately gets the upper hand. Watts mortally wounds Andersen and steals the herd, the horses, and in Watts' words "everything but the fire." The following day, Nightlinger catches up to the group to find the boys tending to the dying Andersen. Before succumbing to his wounds, Andersen tells the boys how proud he is of all of them, that every man wants his children to be better than he was, and that they have become so. Following Andersen's burial and on a prearranged signal, the boys overpower and bind Nightlinger, seizing the weapons stored in his chuck wagon and vowing to re-take the herd and finish the trail drive. When the group catches up to the herd and the rustlers, Nightlinger offers to help the boys make a plan to overcome the outlaws. Using ruses, trickery, and ambush, the boys kill the rustlers to a man, including Watts.

After the boys complete the drive to Belle Fourche and sell the cattle, they use some of the proceeds to pay a stonemason to carve a marker with Andersen's name and the legend "Husband and Father," in clear reference to the position that Andersen had earned in their lives. They place the marker in the approximate location of Andersen's grave and head for home.Read full review...

Saddle Up!

This really shows John Wayne in one of his best features. When he's left alone to drive a herd across some rough country, he finds himself cornered and hires on some schoolboys. What ensues brings some humor, along with some sadness along the way. A whimsical romp across the prairie where young boys become men and avenge the brutality of some rustlers. I tried not to give anything away, and if you haven't seen this classic yet, now is the time. A beautifully shot film, made of all, young and old alike. If you are a fan, you will really enjoy this, if you have yet to realize who John Wayne was, this would be a fine introduction. Most highly recommendedRead full review...

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THE COWBOYS DELUXE EDITION

John Wayne is Wil Anderson, a cattle rancher forced to use young boys to move his cattle to market. Eleven greenhorn schoolboys and the Duke embark on a cattle drive across four hundred treacherous miles. Along the way, thanks to the Duke's example, the boys become men and are forced to make one of the biggest decisions of their lives. One of John Wayne's finest performances and a definite favorite here at Movie Magic USA, The Cowboys contains all the ingredients that made John Wayne an American legend. Special Features include commentary by Mark Rydell (he discusses how he helped his young, inexperienced cast work with a screen legend), plus an all-new featurette: The Cowboys: Together Again. This is my favorite John Wayne film and I am certain this DVD version will be far superior to the poor print Warner Brothers initially released to DVD. HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY DUKE!
Steven Holt, Movie Magic USARead full review...

The-Coming-of-Age Movie You Want To Watch Over and Over Again!

This film is kind of like the "coming of age" to any young man out there. We've seen it several times before and will watch it again if given the chance. One night it was shown in one of our local TV channels but with so many commercials in between, we decided to have our own copy. We were pleasantly surprised to find several black and white photos of the casts. We weren't expecting that. Make sure you watch the "cowboys reunion" feature. It gave me a renewed respect for the actor John Wayne and the "young cowboys."Read full review...

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This movie is all about The Cowboys on a cattle drive.

This is one of the best western movies that John Wayne made. All of the young men are very interesting and make this story unique. I am very happy to add this to my personal collection. The price is right and the delivery was fast. Thank you.Read full review...

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Classic

Such a classic. So happy to be able to add to my collection. The special features are really interesting to watch, especially with the crew reunion. The Cowboys my favorite western of all times !

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Another good John Wayne Movie

Very good movie for John Wayne fans, and has good action and very entertaining for most audiences!

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A great classic western with a wonderful storyline

This is one of my favorite John Wayne movies! The cast is great. Once you start watching, you are pulled into the story. Although there are a few very sad scenes, I still watch this over when I'm in the mood for a John Wayne classic. If you like westerns, cowboys, & family then you'll love this movie. It has something for everyone. This is one of his movies you won't regret buying.
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Met my expectations. Great value for the price.

Described accurately. Fast shipment. Enjoyed watching the movie.

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