The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) User Reviews

Getting Katie A Monument

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 1 August 2006]

Feisty Katie Elder has passed on and her sons have arrived in Clearwater, Texas for her funeral. Katie's four sons are played by John Wayne, Dean Martin, Earl Holliman, and Michael Anderson, Jr. and three's a certain amount of hostility directed towards them from some quarters. And a bit of fear evident in the town's people. It also turns out that their father had been murdered a few months before that and their ranch now belonged to James Gregory. When questions are asked, trouble starts.

One thing is clear though, none of her kids has quite turned out the way she hoped, but the three oldest are going to see that young Anderson becomes some kind of success in life.

Despite some glaring plot weaknesses The Sons of Katie Elder is a film that is sold by the sincere playing of its leads. I'm not quite sure why the Elder boys didn't come back with the news of their father's death and settled things back then. Or why Michael Anderson was so resistant to some higher education.

This was a special film for John Wayne, the first post cancer operation film he made. And he did it and all his subsequent films with essentially one lung. One thing about Duke was that he really loved MAKING movies. I've always thought on some level he wanted them to make money because that way he could make more of them. Wayne just loved being out on location, working all day and partying all night, this was him. Although his health gradually deteriorated and he became more testy and irritable and he had more and more need of an oxygen tank as years past, he wouldn't give it up until he HAD to. For John Wayne it really was a labor of love.

Wayne surrounded himself with a good cast of familiar players for the most part. This was his second film with Dean Martin who after completing this film started on his highly acclaimed variety show. And his guest on his first show, John Wayne to plug the upcoming release of their film. They are an interesting pair of older Elder brothers. Wayne who lives by a strict code and Martin who gets by on his wits and a larcenous streak. Still the affection the two had for each other in real life comes forth on the screen.

Dino has a real moment to shine when he sneaks out and brings Dennis Hopper back to the stable where Wayne and a wounded Anderson are holed up. One of his best acted scenes from any of his films.

George Kennedy plays a menacing gunman that James Gregory hires and he also gets quite a clout from John Wayne with a two by four after Kennedy was bullying John Doucette. It's a great cinematic moment from a Wayne film, but afterwards you can't find any trace of injury on Kennedy for the rest of the film. I remember in Joe Kidd when Clint Eastwood gave Don Stroud a similar clout, Mr. Stroud looked every bit the injured party for the rest of that film.

Though we never see Katie Elder we get quite the picture of the uncomplaining pioneer mother through the townspeople that knew her and their sons. I'm still also not sure though why Earl Holliman was supposed to be such a bad role model, he's a hardware merchant in another town. Still the other three Elder boys want Anderson to aim higher than that.

Elmer Bernstein's musical score is one of the best that is featured in a John Wayne film. Wayne films were always distinguished by good use of music, something the Duke learned from John Ford. Bernstein and the Duke first worked together in The Comancheros and this one is every bit as good as that rousing score.

The action sequences are the best part of the film and the last half hour with the ambush on the bridge by Gregory's men right up to the explosive climatic battle with Wayne and Gregory, the excitement doesn't let up for a New York minute. No western fan should miss it.

From the four winds four brothers came Their eyes smoking and their fingers itching

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 7/10 · 20 April 2008]

Katie Elder bore four sons… The day she was buried they all return to the Texas town of Clearwater to pay their last respects…

John (John Wayne) is the oldest, the toughest, the gunfighter… Texas, its bigness and its violence echoes in his empty soul… Tom (Dean Martin) is a different breed of hombre… He is good with a deck of cards and good with a gun—when he has to be… Matt (Earl Holliman) is the quiet one… Nobody ever called him yellow—twice… Bud (Michael Anderson, Jr.) is the youngest, but he is the rebel one...

At the funeral are Sheriff Billy Wilson (Paul Fix) and his grim young deputy, Ben Latta (Jeremy Slate) who's real conscientious about his job… Also at the burial, in addition to many townspeople, is the young Mary Gordon (Martha Hyer), the woman who tries the impossible…

Mary visits the four brothers, brings them food, and is sardonic about their desertion of their mother… Only Bud, who has been going to college, shows a possibility of becoming a fine, respecting young man…

As the brothers investigate into the past and present circumstances of their mother's life, they find the old place is no longer hers and that she was penniless…

John discovers that his father supposedly gambled away the ranch when he was pretty drunk and that on the same night he was shot in the back…The only witnesses are Morgan Hastings (James Gregory) and his son Dave (Dennis Hopper)… The sheriff warns the Elders to stop digging around and to stay out of trouble…

Realizing that the only tribute to Ma Elder would be for Bud to finish college, the brothers pledge themselves to that cause… Yet they feel the loss of the ranch was under peculiar circumstances, they decide to find out the truth…

Henry Hathaway was one of the great versatile directors whose Westerns have been as variable in quality as his other films…

Hathaway's strong points were atmosphere, character and authentic locations… In "The Sons of Katie Elder" he took particular care with locations, proud of the fact that he is one of the few directors who handle their own second-unit work, and when this element combines successfully with the other two the result can be impressive indeed

Four brothers led by the Duke banded together and seek vendetta against nasty killers

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 2 December 2011]

After their mother's death , four brothers are reunited . John Wayne is a gunslinger , Earl Holliman is an easy and silent young , Michael Anderson Jr. is a college graduate and Dean Martin is a drunk gambler. When they aware that her mother's death might have been killing , they come together to devise a a way to seek vengeance in the murderer , James Gregory , who hires an ominous gunfighter , George Kennedy , along with bullies and hoodlums . As the ranch owner Katie Elder's four sons determine to avenge the murder of their father and the swindling of their mother .But the marshal, Paul Fix, tells them to lay off .

This cultured actioner Western contains a wonderful friendship between brothers , thrills , dashingly violent action , rider pursuits , impressive attacks and loads of crossfire . In ¨The sons of Katie Elder" Hathaway does the human touch including lots of nice moments , it is a very fine picture that could become another western worthy of any anthology . This John Wayne movie is well in the tradition of classics as ¨The Magnificent seven¨, ¨Garden of evil¨ or ¨The searchers¨ . One of the Duke's most popular film of the 60s ,-in his first character following cancer surgery- as well as ¨¨The Alamo¨, ¨Rio Bravo¨, ¨El Dorado¨and ¨McLintock¨. In the film "The sons of Katie Elder" the spectator enjoys because it has a lot of issues that make it agreeable . Even the female character played by attractive Marta Hyer, reveals a woman who knows that she wishes and makes it irresistible . Large support cast formed by Western usual players as Paul Fix , James Gregory, Earl Holliman and special mention to big Dean Martin . Breathtaking and lively musical score by Elmer Berstein , one of the best of Western genre along with ¨The Magnificent Seven¨ and ¨Comancheros¨ soundtracks. Colorful and spectacular cinematography in Cinemascope and Techniclor by Lucien Ballard.

This well-paced in cracking style flick is stunningly directed by Henry Hathaway and usually works very well . He does the human touch and full of insight that accompanied him during most of his films and the story develops pleasantly in a large frame with an interesting plot and fully adjusted to the requirements of the action .The motion picture is professionally directed by Henry Hathaway with strong screen presence by John Wayne , both of whom collaborated in various Westerns , they included ¨Five Card Stud¨ , ¨North to Alaska¨ and Wayne's Academy Award-winning ¨True grit¨. Hathaway himself was only even nominated for an Oscar , but his movies themselves are testimony to his skills to heighten narrative tension and shoot action so exhilarating it made adrenalin run . Henry was a craftsman who had a long career from the 30s with successful films , and especially Westerns , as ¨Brigham Young¨ and ¨Raw Hide¨ . In his 60s Hathaway still got the vigour to make some fiery movies as ¨From Hell to Texas¨, ¨How the West was won¨, ¨Nevada Smith¨, and ¨Shoot out¨ . He was an expert on Western genre as he proved in ¨True grit , Five card stud , Nevada Smith ,How the West was won , Rawhide , Brigham Young , Buffalo Stampede, Garden of evil¨ and of course ¨The sons of Katie Elder¨. Rating : nice Western that will appeal to John Wayne fans.

Good, well made Western, traditional and enjoyable

[FilmFlaneur · 19 September 2002]

Beset by production difficulties and largely ignored by critics upon release, this is a film that, like its star, has grown better with age. Director Hathaway's open-air style perfectly suits the expansive nature of the material, which by today's standards seems almost leisurely. In fact Sergio Leone acknowledged this fact when he greatly reworked the opening station scene as the beginning of Once Upon a Time in The West/C'era una volta il West (1969). (He also had his heroine arriving at his own Clearwater station later.) Elmer Bernstein's score is a standout, recalling his achievement on The Magnificent Seven (1960). There are several scenes which gain immeasurably from his masculine music, which ranges from the grand celebratory mode of the main theme to some suitably subdued and menacing cues for the final showdown.

A convalescent Wayne plays the returning gunfighter John Elder, summoned by the death of his mother. Bewigged, paunchy, and slightly wheezy, the recently de-lunged actor still acts an imposing head of the Elder clan. He finds himself leading a dysfunctional family, united at first by grief, then the clumsy depredations of Morgan Hastings (an excellent James Gregory) who has swindled his way into possessing the family land. Together with memories of the late Katie Elder herself, like an American monument, Wayne's presence dominates the film. Recognising this, Hathaway uses it to great advantage with the first view of his star, perhaps Wayne's most impressive screen entrance since that in Stagecoach of 26 years earlier. As Katie is buried, in long shot, we take in an overview of the cemetery with its cluster of mourners, A massive rock formation overshadows the land. After a few seconds, a small detail catches the eye high up in a cleft. The camera cuts closer, and we think we recognise the figure. Cut again, and it is shown to be the watching John, irresistibly solid and still. At this stage in his career Wayne so easily assumes the permanence and grandeur of landscape that the iconic nature of this moment is accepted by the viewer without question.

This is last time in his career that Wayne is so emphasised. Twice in Katie Elder the director takes the opportunity to film his star 'doing the walk' – his tall frame strolling purposefully towards the camera, intent on action. In later films (such as Hathaway's own True Grit (1969)) such virile ruggedness is replaced by hard-bitten cantankerousness, more in keeping with the actor's advancing age. It was more the rule too, in Wayne's later career, for seriousness to be replaced by knockabout humour, reaching a zenith in the boisterous McClintock! (1963). In Katie Elder, many of the interior scenes between the brothers are marked by such elements of genial horse play, culminating in a fist fight in which John Elder crashes through a door. Outside they present more of a unified force, optimistically dubbed by Hastings 'the Elder Gang'. Showing this is more difficult than it seems, and fortunately Hathaway keeps matters under control. Moments of broad comedy, like Tom (Dean Martin) auctioning off his glass eye, are not too distracting and often provide a contrast to more serious moments (Curley threatening Matt with gunplay). The banter between the Elder sons also serves to unify the siblings in the most natural way, and establish relationships, even if some of the camaraderie is hard won. In particular one wishes that the two older brothers had more to say to each other, or shared some scenes alone - especially given the on-screen rapport Martin effortlessly created a few years earlier when he worked with Wayne in Rio Bravo (1959).

As the villain of the piece, Hastings has an emphasised affinity with a special firearm. His armament enthusiasm recalls some of the baroque arsenals appearing in some spaghetti Westerns of the time, where the traditional six shooter was replaced by ever more fancy weapons. At the start of the film Hastings has already hired Curley, a heavy dressed all in black in very traditional fashion. This range thug is played well by George Kennedy, and the scene where he is clubbed in the mouth by Wayne is often cited by viewers as one of the most memorable. In fact, so effective is Curley's suggested brutality that one wishes more could have been made of a man who says ominously 'I don't care what I have to do, as long as I get my money'. Curley and Wayne needed more of a showdown to make their moral antipathy pay dividends, and the viewer is disappointed that this doesn't eventually occur. It is one of the weakness of the film that the villain meets his demise so casually, a victim of crossfire rather than a deliberate showdown. As Hasting's son Dave, Dennis Hopper performs adequately. One feels he would have been better cast as the younger Elder brother, with more to do. In contrast to Kate's oft-stated warmth towards her absent sons, Hasting's treatment of his sibling is cold and uncaring. If the less experienced face of Jeremy Slate had been cast as his son, the gun lover's cruelty would have been even more damning. As it is, Hastings' attitude towards Dave is left largely unexplained, although predictable enough.

Apart from the casting and music, much of the pleasure of the film springs from the mise-en-scene familiar to those who enjoy the big 50's and 60's Westerns. The geography of Clearwater for instance, so effortlessly established in the early scenes; the interior of Katie's pioneer cabin, or the gunfight by the river. It is also a reminder of a lost time in Westerns, when an ever reliable Wayne confronted frontier trouble, with none of the moral complications suggested by the contemporary work of a Peckinpah or Leone. Like the simple pleasures Mrs Elder found in her beloved rocking chair, this is a production which has been continually revisited by fans since the initial release, and will continue to be so.

A good traditional Western

[JuguAbraham · 7/10 · 9 January 2004]

I just saw this movie some 30 years after my first viewing of the film--and surprisingly I found it to be a lot more entertaining than my first recollections of the film.

It's a traditional Hollywood western: good wins over evil, the hero gets the girl, and law is maintained. It has no complications. Even the Mexicans are shown squatting at the funeral far apart from the others only getting up to bury the body. That was how most Westerns were made...So what's good about the film?

Elmer Bernstein's music is as good as his music in 'The Magnificent Seven', if not better. The range of actors: a believable John Wayne, an entertaining Dean Martin with "third-eye" act, a menacing George Kennedy, a "likable" Strother Martin in a brief role as the winner of the third eye, and a fine performance by young Dennis Hopper makes the film above average viewing.

The real hero of the movie is "Katie Elder" dead when the film begins, respected as the film unfolds, and never seen on screen. Everyone seems to remember her with awe. She is epitomized by the empty rocking chair (final shot) and a Bible she leaves behind.

Henry Hathaway's westerns will not be reflective ones as are later Westerns such as "Will Penny", "Tell Them Willie Boy is Here" or "Monte Walsh"--his movies tend to affirm the status quo of typical Hollywood westerns with a heart (good Christian values, strong connection with nature and animals--horses in this movie--as he did in "How the West was Won") and no mind (insensitive to Mexicans and Red Indians). The Christian values in the film are fuzzy, e.g., fool some poor gullible guys at a bar and emerge a hero, or sell a blind horse to gain money and remembered for it at your funeral, etc. This film of Hathaway, ably supported by Bernstein's music and Lucien Ballard's camera, is a great movie for an audience that wants to see a traditional western unfold--and but not be asked to think beyond what is shown.

The Magnificent Four!

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 4 December 2008]

John, Tom, Matt and Bud, these are the Elder boys, who upon meeting up at the funeral of their recently deceased mother, find that their father may have been murdered over a card game. The boys must cast off sibling rivalries and find out just what has been happening in their childhood town of Clearwater, Texas.

Unfairly given harsh treatment upon its release by the critics and beset with behind the scenes problems, The Sons Of Katie Elder actually holds up rather well in this day and age. All the required traits are in the film to make it an oater of some worth, a splendid cast with as much macho beef as you can shake a stick at, a top Elmer Bernstein score, the wonderful use of the Casa Blanca location and a revenge driven plot of some note. So why is it hard to actually sell this picture to the staunch Western crowd? Well coming as it did in 1965 it certainly has something of a modern sheen to it, an uneasy bed fellow with the wild west theme of the picture. The casting of the brothers just about works, but Michael Anderson Jr (Bud) and Earl Holliman (Matt) do seem to be overawed by the presence of John Wayne (John) and Dean Martin (Tom), meaning as a foursome it never quite gets to being a tight acting unit. The length of the picture may also be an issue to some? Long periods of inaction work to me personally because the characters (family unit) are gaining much needed depth, but for those wanting guns a toting at frequent intervals are not exactly catered for.

Yet what action there is surely more than makes it worth the viewers patience? From the Duke swinging a nice piece of hickory to a wonderful riverside shootout, Henry Hathaway's Western is not found wanting for memorable sequences, in fact if you ask me then the mere sight of the Duke blasting away with a six shooter in each hand is a truly blood pumping joy, and don't get me started on a delightful Dean Martin scene as he raffles his glass eye! So all in all it's not without its itches, but as 60s Westerns go, The Sons Of Katie Elder is a hugely enjoyable picture to enjoy by the fireside on a Sunday afternoon. 7/10

Entertaining Wayne Oater!

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 17 January 2006]

"The Sons of Katie Elder", though not one of John Wayne's best westerns, is very entertaining nonetheless. Director Henry Hathaway keeps the story moving providing us with breathtaking scenery and a rousing finale. We are also treated to another rousing score from composer Elmer Bernstien.

The story has the four Elder brothers, John (Wayne), Tom (Dean Martin), Matt (Earl Holliman) and Bud (Michael Anderson Jr.) returning home to Clearwater, Texas for their mother's funeral (the "Katie" of the title). It seems that Katie had been held in reverence by the townspeople while eking out a living to enable the youngest, Bud to attend college.

Their father had also died six months earlier and had apparently lost the family ranch in a poker game. Further investigation reveals that he had been murdered by being shot in the back.

Number one suspect is the town gunsmith Morgan Hastings (James Gregory). Hastings it seems, has acquired the Elder ranch and lives there with his spineless son Dave (Dennis Hopper). Hastings has also hired gunfighter Curley (George Kennedy) to help him get rid of the Elders.

When town sheriff Billy Watson (Paul Fix) is murdered Deputy Ben Latta (Jeremy Slate) immediately blames the Elders and arrests them. While transporting his prisoners to another venue they are ambushed and.......

This was the first film for Wayne following his surgery for cancer. You'll notice that he wears a large bandanna over his neck, presumably to hide the scars and/or the jowls. He was now beginning to show his age and the fact that at nearing age 60, he was still playing a character presumably much younger, kind of detracts a little from his credibility in the role. But hey its John Wayne. Who really cared?

As in most of Wayne's films, the cast includes a roster of recognizable faces. Martha Hyer provides window dressing as Wayne's potential love interest. Also in the cast are John Qualen as the jailer, John Litel as the minister, John Doucette as the undertaker, James Westerfield as the banker, Karl Swenson as the bartender, Rhys Williams as Striker the horse rancher, Strother Martin as the guy who "wins" Martin's glass eye, Percy Helton as the storekeeper and Rudolfo Acosta and Chuck Roberson as contends.

The two plus hour running time goes by quickly. Don't miss the scene where Wayne cold cocks Kennedy or the final shootout.

Good Western Made Great By A Fantastic Cast

[csmith-99615 · 10/10 · 1 November 2019]

Shortly after John Wayne's character has a conversation with the town sheriff he says "You're trying awfully hard NOT to tell me something " That's pretty much the plot of this movie... four brothers trying to find out what happened to their parents and to the family homestead. Great performances make a so so script come alive. Even the supporting actors were really good making this John Wayne / Dean Martin western a must see. A great watch for all western fans.

The Sons of Katie Elder

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 19 June 2011]

Four sons join together to get revenge for the murder of their drunk, habitual gambler father on the wake of the death of their beloved frontier mother, Katie Elder (never seen, but her presence is felt throughout the film anyway; how her memory always returns establishes her importance in the plot). John Wayne, Dean Martin, Earl Holliman (The Forbidden Planet), and Michael Anderson Jr. are the Elder sons who return to their mother's funeral, finding a town who wants no part of them. Wayne, as John Elder, is a known gunfighter while Martin's Tom has a warrant out for his arrest after an incident with a bartender in another town. The Elders are set up for the murder of Clearwater, Texas sheriff, Billy Wilson (Paul Fix, veteran of television), by a conniving, sneaky, no-good gun store owner, Morgan Hastings (character actor James Gregory, a veteran of television, particularly Barney Miller). Hastings is the one responsible for the murder of patriarch Bass Elder, resulting in the loss of land which left Katie without her home. The Elder sons attempt to right the wrongs orchestrated by Hastings.

I admit that "The Sons of Katie Elder" isn't one of my favorite John Wayne westerns, certainly, in regards to his pairing with Dean Martin, not a patch to "Rio Bravo". That said, I found it entertaining for what it was: a story about four men trying to do right by their maw after a life of muddying the name Elder, especially John who is known for the bloodshed as a reputed gunfighter. Katie, a pacifist, loved John, but hated violence, and this provides motivation to try and do something (forcing youngster Bud (Anderson Jr.) to return to school and do Katie's memory justice) that would make her proud.

Katie had a plan to raise cattle, so the Elders attempt to ride them to miners in the Rockies, but this plan is interrupted by Billy's "replacement", the green deputy Ben (Jeremy Slate) who believes they were behind the sheriff's murder, even though this is hogwash considering the Elders were in Pecos receiving the cattle. George Kennedy has a memorable part as Gregory's hired gun, black hat and rattlesnake grin, who will help Hastings in his plan to snuff out the Elders as they are carried, bound in chains, by stagecoach across a bridge. This film also has an early role for Dennis Hopper as Hastings' nervy, sniveling son, Dave. Curiously, the film is absent a lot of action, except two sequences at the end, including a bridge blown apart by dynamite and a gun store exploded, with more emphasis on the Elders attempting to put aside their criminal pasts to restore their family name and allow Katie to have died with some dignity. The film does have a playful brawl between the brothers which erupts when an angered Bud (mad as hell that John didn't draw in a gunfight with Kennedy's Curly in a bar) provokes John inside Katie's old home. I will say that the gunfight at the end, where the Elders must fend off Hastings' men underneath the bridge, is quite thrilling, although, interesting enough, this normally results in the conclusion of the film, but is instead a precursor to the return to town so that John can have one final showdown with Hastings.

Another winner from the Duke.

[SmileysWorld · 8/10 · 22 April 2002]

The first scene I think of when I think of this film is the sight of John Wayne belting George Kennedy in the mouth with a 2 by four.It hurts my jaw just to look at it,or even think about it.He deserved it,by the way,as John Wayne once again takes on the bad guys,this time with the help of three brothers,played by Dean Martin,Earl Holliman,and Michael Anderson,Jr.They are not perfect,themselves,mind you,but they feel they, as well as their late parents,were done wrong and set out to make things right again.As for Katie Elder,we never get to meet her,as the film begins with her funeral,but we are told so much about her,that by the end of the film we have painted a pretty vivid picture of her in our minds.This movie is very adventurous,as most Duke films are,sad at times and even takes the time to be comical in places.The film also makes me sad for the Duke personally,because,as some of you may know,that on a break from filming this movie,Duke discovered he was sick with cancer for the first time.This movie is indeed a must have for any John Wayne fan.

Not up to Rio Bravo standards

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 22 November 2020]

This is a good Western. But it's not a great Western, and that's because of 3 cases of over-acting. Dean Martin has been one of my favorite entertainers for most of my long life, and I don't think I ever saw him overact before, but he did in several scenes in this film. And so did supporting actors Michael Anderson and Jeremy Slate. Since it was 3 different actors overacting, I'll have to blame the director, Henry Hathaway.

My other complaint is about the Blu Ray version of this title. This was not as good a transfer to Blu Ray as many films that I have seen. It certainly did not have a "rich" look to it. It would be exaggerating to say the print looked washed out, but it was not up to standard.

The story here is decent, and not as predictable as some Westerns. Good credit for that. John Wayne plays...well, John Wayne. There are a lot of familiar character actors here, including Martha Hyer, Paul Fix, James Gregory, and more. All do their jobs well. And the climax of the film is well done.

What's amazing is that John Wayne did his own stunt work here, despite this being after his lung surgery.

It's an entertaining film. No doubt about it. But it's not a great film. Not even close to a classic like Rio Bravo.

One of the last great Wayne films

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 24 January 2006]

Other than El Dorado and The Shootist, this is probably the last great John Wayne film. Apart from these, he made a long string of pretty forgettable films late in his career. They aren't so much bad, but they have nothing new to add and seem to be more "by-the-numbers" films than anything else.

The only reason I don't score it higher is because of ridiculous casting. The 4 sons of Katie are probably close to 40 years apart by age--plus, the 4 look NOTHING like each other. I think Woody Strode would have been almost as convincing as one of John Wayne's brothers as the 3 they chose.

So what was so worth watching? Well, the acting is great. Wayne and Martin is a good pairing and the plot of sons seeking revenge is quite compelling. Although not exactly "high brow", I also like the scene between Wayne and the blacksmith--now THAT'S the way to get some answers when the guy doesn't want to talk!

Unfortunately not, and director Henry Hathaway made much better movies than this one

[eminkl · 7/10 · 8 October 2019]

John Wayne was THE man when it came to starring in Westerns. He could carry a film with little more than a grunt, but you often got more from The Duke than you would expect when they gave him decent supporting players or an antagonist to spar with. Here he's both saddled as his brothers with Dean Martin, Earl Holliman, and Michael Anderson Jnr, and James Gregory, George Kennedy, and as the piece's villains a young Dennis Hopper. Unfortunately, it's not one of the better westerns of Wayne, but here is enough to warrant you time.

Her four sons are attending the funeral of Katie Elder in Clearwater, Texas, all four of them harboring regrets that they'd let down their mother. Wayne, the eldest, is a famous gunfighter, Martin is a professional gambler, Holliman is a store owner, and the youngest Bud is still in school. Their return home is not popular, and things turn sour pretty fast when certain things happen that make the brothers ask questions. They murdered their father, lost their ranch and land in a card game, and their mother died with little to their name. Some stinks, and John Elder from Wayne will find out exactly what has happened.

George Kennedy's got that gleeful grin from a baddie down here to a tea, and he's not disappointing here during his short screen stint. Unfortunately, Hopper is underused and James Gregory hams it up as well as the real villain pulling all the strings that the brothers were framed to kill the local sheriff. There are shootouts, there are unexpected deaths, and as they did in Rio Bravo back in 1959, Wayne and Martin make for a good team. The script isn't great, there's no interest in love for any of them, and Martha Hyer's small role is nothing more than a token female part that brings very little to the proceedings.It's a shame, this is one of those movies that I haven't seen for more than thirty years and seemed to remember having more action and certainly more Wayne dialogue. Unfortunately not, and director Henry Hathaway made much better movies than this one, scrubbing off the very long list of Wayne Westerns is just another.

Silly casting

[theking-51286 · 5/10 · 15 May 2022]

They should have tried to address the huge age gap between John and Bud Elder. John Wayne was clearly far too old to play one of the brothers, and Dean Martin was obviously of Italian descent and looked nothing like the others. Martin was a medicore actor and played his part for laughs, when a more serious performance was required. The actor playing Bud was terrible, it's such a shame they did not cast Tommy Kirk as originally intended. Sadly Earl Holliman made little impression as the third brother.

Great 60's Western

[spocktom · 11 August 2006]

Great old-time western with a wonderfully-rousing Bernstein score. I have a further continuity error to add which hasn't been listed by IMDb... When the boys first return to the house in which their mother died the painted backdrop behind the fly-screen door shows a wagon wheel in the background. After the first cut-away from John Wayne's character the backdrop is different, with no wagon wheel. Following the second cut-away, the wagon wheel returns. If you rent or buy the DVD (as I did) you can slow motion this section of the film and you'll see the continuity gaffe clear as day. Nit-picking, I know, but you'd think that this would have been picked-up in post-production.

Anyway, regardless of the errors...this is a fine example of a typical "John Wayne" western...good story, well told with fine acting and a great musical score. For fans and students of Wayne's acting style this film offers a special moment. When John Wayne's character is walking towards the bank to settle his dead mother's affairs there is a particularly long shot of Wayne walking towards camera. The shot displays John Wayne's forward-shouldered gait that was a trademark of his western characters.

If you like westerns you'll like this film...most enjoyable.

A noble western...

[wreww · 7/10 · 17 September 2005]

I don't agree with opinions who don't see the depth of this movie. I think it's an noble western with wonderful heroes. Every single character which is represented by the four sons is able to sum up the whole evolution of Hollywood westerns. But every single hero is broken by Texas because Texas is the destiny that stole their dreams and at the end their souls. Every existence that is shown is terribly failing. OK, this is a very pessimistic but also realistic view on the "birth of a nation". There is the gun hero John Wayne, the gambler Dean Martin, Earl Holliman as the failed burgeois scrap-dealer and the demotivated collage-kid. I like the creation of suspense as a rocking chair with the precision of a sharp shooter rifle. Another wonderful aspest of this film are the great playing supporting actors. Everybody is inspired by the young dennis hopper, the middle-aged george kennedy and the impressive dean martin. But John Wayne remains to be the king of unwritten rules of this genre. At the end the showdown causes the incarnation of dramatic, tragic, the frontier-conflict between savageness and civilization with a rousing happy-end. So, it's a b-movie of highest quality and finest gun-power. Rio bravo light maybe...

good ol' duster

[hawkeye56 · 7/10 · 7 February 2004]

John Wayne in a stereotypical role as a tough, no nonsense cowboy, Dean Martin as the fun loving, drinking brother, a very young Dennis Hopper, and I swear Robert Loggia as the blacksmith. some stale acting, but a fun old duster. the way they used to make 'em.

Must watch John Wayne Classic but....

[pub-21 · 7/10 · 18 February 2020]

You will have to forgive the fact that Wayne is 20-25 years older than his character. Along the extremely poor acting for such a notable cast, not to mention the poor sets and cinematography (even for 1965). Still fun to watch if it's you genre.

Learning to late of their mother's love...

[honestashol · 10/10 · 18 February 2005]

John Wayne as the weathered, weary gunslinger determined to give his mother a better legacy; Dean Martin as the lovable, harmless con artist; Earl Holliman as the wild west version of the middle child; Michael Anderson, Jr. as the baby whose full of p**s, vinegar and gunfighter worship and tired of living by everyone's rules. Watching these four "express their opinions" is enough to make anyone want front row seats to the next reunion.

James Gregory as Hastings, the new man determined to have the town in his pocket; Dennis Hopper as his son; George Kennedy as the hired gun who really, really enjoys his work. Martha Hyer as the mother's friend who's tired of the violence. All wonderfully written characters and fleshed out believably.

While I do agree that this movie has a varied pace that drags at times and the music is distractingly close to "The Magnificent Seven" I still see the story of four sons who never realized the value of their own mother until her death.

The opening scene at the railroad depot sets the underlying tension and up until the cattle drive, all the supporting characters are walking on eggshells. Whether the townsfolk refuse to speak of the father's death or they berate the sons for their treatment of, or lack of, their mother, the sons receive no breaks throughout the film.

Regardless of the music, the direction and writing are at times both sufficient and excellent. With the town's protection of the deceased mother and scornfull arguments to the sons, as well as the relationships of the brothers themselves, this entire story is fleshed out no better than our own actual lives. Since when do brothers need an excuse to wrestle? Also, who would you rather spend ten years away from if not your family?

All told, the movie and story reflects the family dynamic and its affect on its surrounding, how the family extends to include neighbors as well. Basically, I'm glad I bought it.

Henry Hathaway and The Sons of Katie Elder

[jazerbini · 6/10 · 9 April 2022]

I have always been intrigued by the portentous biography of Henry Hathaway, who began his successful career as an assistant director in 1925 and 1926. The list of films, especially westerns directed by him, is enviable. And most are of proven quality. Here we have one of his last works - The Sons of Katie Elder, 1965 - which I consider one of his worst films, a really meaningless work. The script is weak, completely improbable, taking strange and meaningless paths. The cast is completely inappropriate. I come to believe that Hathaway has appointed someone to direct this film. I don't believe he did. It seems that they tried to repeat the success of the Wayne-Martin duo in Hawks' Rio Bravo, but the result is the opposite. The role played by John Wayne has nothing to do with his profile, his characteristics. And both Wayne and Martin seem lost in the film, not sure what they're doing there. Even Earl Holliman, who normally performs well, is terrible in this western. And young Michael Anderson Jr even worse. We don't even need to comment on the role of Dennis Hopper, developed without any credibility, as well as James Gregory. There remains Martha Hyer who seems to be busy with some other film and then suddenly walks past the set to appear on screen. Only that. The western genre is my favorite. I have more than 450 westerns cataloged, which I have watched more than once, so I consider myself in a position to say that "The Sons of Katie Elder" is a big mistake! Difficult to understand the score above 7 obtained by him here. If it hadn't been realized, no one would miss it.

The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)

[WandrinStar · 8/10 · 16 January 2012]

(8/10) Without a doubt one of Duke's most underrated Westerns. The fact that the four main stars are so unbelievable as brothers is shadowed by the acting and charm that each character brings to the screen. Dean Martin follows up his Rio Bravo performance with another gem cementing his place as one of the supporting stars working alongside Wayne. George Kennedy makes an intriguing antagonist but was underused. Wayne's romance with Martha Hyer and was pointless and a waste of time; the film should have devoted the attention to better build up the relationship among the brothers. The film tends to drag on towards this is a fun movie even non- western fans can enjoy. Excellent score.

The Sons of Katie Elder review

[renegadeviking-271-528568 · 7/10 · 12 January 2020]

His 1965 Western film, The Sons of Katie Elder, brings together some great actors: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Dennis Hopper, Martha Hyer, Michael Anderson Jr., Earl Holliman, James Gregory, Paul Fix, Jeremy Slate, George Kennedy, and it is all brought together by director Henry Hathaway.

Four brothers John, Tom, Bud, and Matt reunite in Clearwater, Texas in 1898 for their mother's funeral. They soon realize that their deadbeat father gambled their family ranch away in a card game. This has the sons band together when the sheriff tells them that their father died under mysterious circumstances.

They begin their investigation against a corrupt gunsmith named Morgan Hastings, who pretends to show regret at their loss when in secret, he hires a gunman named Curly in preparation for a war with Katie Elder's son.

However, as the sons get closer and closer to solving the mystery around their father's death, Hastings frames them for the murder of the sheriff, forcing the sons in a showdown with Hastings and his men.

The film is based on a historical incident that happened in Graham, Texas. The story of the film is very different, but it is interesting to see that it is based on a true event in Texas history. It is one of John Wayne's best films and it carries a lot of weight in film history.

FAVORITE QUOTE: I don't want to be rich and respectable. I just want to be like the rest of you.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence and language

August is Texas Month here! We're focusing on a lot of articles surrounding the Lone Star State. Be sure to subscribe for more classic film reviews.

John Wayne's Comeback Film After His First Bout with Cancer.

[zardoz-13 · 10/10 · 18 January 2008]

Notorious gunslinger John Elder (John Wayne of "Rio Bravo") returns to his dusty hometown of Clearwater, Texas, to pay his final respects to his deceased mother in Henry Hathaway's first-rate western "The Sons of Katie Elder," co-starring Dean Martin, Earl Holliman, James Gregory, George Kennedy, and Michael Anderson, Jr. "The Sons of Katie Elder" ranks one of John Wayne's finest western melodramas that he appeared in during the 1960s, and veteran director Henry Hathaway of "Garden of Evil" delivers more excitement, suspense, and tension than most westerns can muster. The scenic Mexican scenery that substitutes for nineteenth century Texas looks is appropriately rough-hewn.

Several scenes stand out in "The Sons of Katie Elder." Among them are the noisy gun battle at a creek crossing, a barroom raffle for a glass eye, the hero's fight with a thug at a mortuary, and the violent finale in town. Originally, "Magnificent Seven" director John Sturges had been scheduled to helm this lively sagebrusher, but doctors diagnosed Wayne with lung cancer, and the box office baron had to postpone the film so that one of his lungs could be removed. Anybody that craves a good, tough, old-fashioned western will love "The Sons of Katie Elder." Director John Singleton's urban remake of this John Wayne & Dean Martin classic that came out in 2005 starring Mark Wahlberg and Tyrese Gibson—"Four Brothers"—lacks the energy, charisma, and celebrity star power of the original..

Since John Elder doesn't want to create trouble, he surveys his mother's funeral from afar while his younger brothers, gambler Tom (Dean Martin of "5 Card Stud"), entrepreneur Matt (Earl Holliman of "Sharkey's Machine") and Bud (Michael Anderson of "Logan's Run"), attend it at the cemetery with several members of the community that knew and loved Katie. Later, at the grave site, Elder learns from Sheriff Billy Wilson (Paul Fix of "The Rifleman") that Katie lost her ranch to the most influential citizen in town, not long after his father, Bass Elder, died under mysterious circumstances.

It seems that Bass Elder gambled the ranch away to Morgan Hastings and then got shot in the back. Billy informs the incredulous Elder that Katie was living in the Lupin place on the other side of town when she died from being worn down to a frazzle. Billy is concerned that Elder, whose reputation with a six-gun precedes him, will stir up trouble. Anyway, John rides over to the ranch to reacquaint himself with his siblings. The Elders decide to clear any debts that their mother left behind and see if she had any money in the bank from the sale of the ranch. They are surprised to learn from the town banker, Mr. Vennar (James Westerfield of "Dead Aim") that Katie died flat broke and that Vennar let her live on the ranch.

Meanwhile, unscrupulous entrepreneur Morgan Hastings (James Gregory of "PT-109") hires a burly gunman, Curley (George Kennedy of "Cool Hand Luke"), to keep tabs on the Elders. Hastings suspects that the Elders may pose a danger to him for his acquisition of their ranch. Curley doesn't cotton to the idea of tangling with John Elder. Hastings operates a firearms manufacturing business, and he needed water to power his mill. The only place with a water supply sufficient for his use was the Elder ranch because a river flows through it. Hastings fears that the Elders may investigate Bass Elder's unsolved murder. Despicable dastard that he is, Hastings follows Sheriff Wilson out to the Lupin place late one evening and uses a high-powered telescopic rifle to blow Wilson out of the saddle.

Of course, the Elders were nowhere nearby when Hastings shot the sheriff. Instead, the Elders were away herding 200 horses to market in Colorado that they bought from Charlie Bob Striker (Rhys Williams of "Our Man Flint") who had originally planned to sell the horses to their mother. Deputy Sheriff Ben Latta (Jeremy Slate of "The Devil's Brigade") bears a grudge against the Elders. Earlier, Latta tried to arrest the Elders for trespassing on Hastings' property, and the brothers disarmed him and then rode back to Clearwater to straighten things out with Billy. Meanwhile, Ben discovers an old wanted poster on Tom and jails the brothers. Initially, when Hastings shot Billy, he only wounded him, and Dr. Isdell awaits Billy to regain consciousness so that he can clear the Elders. Billy dies, however, and Hastings and his men incite a lynch mob to break the Elders out of jail. Billy's other older deputy, Charlie Biller (John Qualen of "Casablanca"), prompts Ben to take the Elders to Laredo so they can get a fair trial.

Oscar winning film composer Elmer Bernstein wrote the flavorful orchestral score to "The Sons of Katie Elder," and it ranks as one of his more memorable efforts, among his scores for "The Magnificent Seven," "The Scalphunters," "The Great Escape," "Walk on the Wild Side," and "The Hallelujah Trail." Although "The Sons of Katie Elder" takes a long time to unfold, clocking in at 122 minutes, this John Wayne oater emerges as one of his best westerns. The cast is top-notch, especially Percy Helton as Mr. Peevey, the storekeeper. James Gregory makes a solid adversary, while Dennis Hopper is fine as his hot-tempered son. John Wayne could sleep walk his way through a role that he had grown thoroughly accustomed to playing from having made so many westerns over the years not only for Henry Hathaway but also for John Ford. Interestingly, Wayne garnered his only Oscar as best actor in another Henry Hathaway horse opera called "True Grit." "The Sons of Katie Elder" represented the second time that Wayne and Martin co-starred in a western. What sets "The Sons of Katie Elder" apart from most westerns as well as melodramas is how Hathaway skillfully paints our heroes into one hell of a corner that they cannot get out of without shedding their own blood as well as the blood of others.

Nothing you hadn't seen before and better

[guisreis · 7/10 · 6 May 2020]

Well filmed but a very conventional Western with nothing really special to be remembered for. Besides that, when it comes to the relationship of the four brothers it is simply silly and campy. The order in which the four brothers will face a serious problem is very predictable.

A 60s western with unbelievable casting.

[gpowers-865-618777 · 5/10 · 21 December 2020]

The Sons of Katie Elder is a typical western of the era. The cinematography is beautiful, and the story is interesting. The theme of less than noble characters finding their redemption is always a good one. However, this movie doesn't age well, like many westerns of the time, and the cast is made up of good actors (with the possible exception of Michael Anderson,Jr.), but they just don't belong together. It's difficult to suspend belief that John Wayne, Dean Martin, Earl Holliman, and Michael Anderson, Jr. are brothers. Beside the fact that there is absolutely no family resemblance between any of them, Wayne was 58 at the time of filming (and looked every year of it) and Anderson was 22. When movies rely on star power alone, distractions like this will always exist.