THE COWBOYS

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY MARK RYDELL
MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS
UNIVERSAL PICTURES


180168

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary

When his cattle drivers abandon him for the gold fields, rancher Wil Andersen is forced to take on a collection of young boys
as his drivers 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 Andersen nor the boys know that a gang of cattle thieves is stalking them.

Summary written by Jim Beaver

Wil Andersen finds himself with a herd of cattle which he has to get to market before the winter sets in,
but he has no men to help him. He turns to a group of young school boys as his last hope to get the job done.
There is no better training for these boys than hands-on as they don't know what they are in for. They set out as schoolboys but return as Cowboys

Summary written by Christopher D. Ryan

Full Cast

John Wayne .... Wil Andersen
Roscoe Lee Browne .... Jedediah Nightlinger
Bruce Dern .... Asa Watts (segment "Long Hair")
Colleen Dewhurst .... Mrs. Kate Collingwood
Alfred Barker Jr. .... Clyde 'Singing Fats' Potter
Nicolas Beauvy .... Dan/Four Eyes
Steve Benedict .... Steve
Robert Carradine .... Charles 'Slim' Honeycutt
Norman Howell .... Cowboy #1 (Weedy) (as Norman Howell Jr.)
Stephen R. Hudis .... Charlie Schwartz (as Stephen Hudis)
Sean Kelly .... Stuttering Bob Wilson
A Martinez .... Cimarron
Clay O'Brien .... Hardy Fimps
Sam O'Brien .... Jimmy Phillips
Mike Pyeatt .... Homer Weems
Slim Pickens .... Anse Petersen
Lonny Chapman .... Preacher
Charles Tyner .... Mr. Jenkins
Sarah Cunningham .... Annie Andersen
Allyn Ann McLerie .... Ellen Price
Maggie Costain .... Phoebe
Matt Clark .... Smiley
Jerry Gatlin .... Howard
Walter Scott .... Okay
Richard Farnsworth .... Henry Williams
Wallace Brooks .... Red Tucker
Charise Cullin .... Elizabeth
Collette Poeppel .... Rosemary
Norman Howell Sr. .... Jim's father
Rita Hudis .... Charlie's mother
Margaret Kelly .... Stuttering Bob's mother
Larry Randles .... Ben
Larry Finley .... Jake
Jim Burk .... Pete
Fred Brookfield .... Rustler
Tap Canutt .... Rustler
Chuck Courtney .... Rustler
Gary Epper .... Rustler
Tony Epper .... Rustler
Kent Hays .... Rustler
J.R. Randall .... Rustler
Henry Wills .... Rustler
Joe Yrigoyen .... Rustler

Stunts

Floyd Baze .... stunt double (uncredited)
Fred Brookfield .... stunts (uncredited)
Jim Burk .... stunts (uncredited)
Tap Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Catching .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Courtney .... stunts (uncredited)
Gary Epper .... stunts (uncredited)
Tony Epper .... stunts (uncredited)
Jerry Gatlin .... stunts (uncredited)
Kent Hays .... stunts (uncredited)
Robert 'Buzz' Henry .... stunts (uncredited)
Walt La Rue .... stunts (uncredited)
Glenn Randall Jr. .... stunts (uncredited)
J.R. Randall .... stunts (uncredited)
Larry Randles .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunt double: John Wayne (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)
Walter Scott .... stunts (uncredited)
Casey Tibbs .... stunts (uncredited)
Buddy Van Horn .... stunts (uncredited)
Henry Wills .... stunts (uncredited)
Walter Wyatt .... stunts (uncredited)
Joe Yrigoyen .... stunts (uncredited)

Filming Locations

Bonanza Creek Ranch - 15 Bonanza Creek Lane, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway - 1193 Fremont County Road 3A, Canon City, Colorado, USA

Castle Rock, Colorado, USA

Chama, New Mexico, USA

Colorado, USA

Eaves Movie Ranch - 105 Rancho Alegre Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Galisteo, New Mexico, USA

Pagosa Springs, Colorado, USA

San Cristobal ranch, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Trivia

* Shortly after the film's release, Bruce Dern received death threats for his character killing John Wayne by shooting him in the back.

* When John Wayne informed Bruce Dern that Dern's character would shoot Wayne's,
he told Dern that audiences would hate him for it. Dern responded by saying, "Yeah, but they'll sure love me in Berkeley."

* Mark Rydell originally sought George C. Scott for the role of Wil Andersen because he despised John Wayne's views on the Vietnam War
and other aspects of U.S. foreign policy.

* Richard Farnsworth plays a member of Asa Watts's gang, one of the first roles in which his face is actually seen on screen.
Farnsworth had been a stuntman and extra since the 1930s.

* The film debut of Robert Carradine.

Goofs

# Anachronisms: Jet contrails near the beginning.

# Revealing mistakes: After burying Charlie Schwartz, he walks by in the next scene on his horse while Cimmaron and Mr. Anderson talk.

Memorable Quotes

[repeated line]
Wil Andersen: We're burnin' daylight!

Wil Andersen: Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let's go! We're burnin' daylight!

Wil Andersen: Big mouth don't make a big man.

Jebediah Nightlinger: Well, I have the inclination, the maturity, and the where-with-all; but unfortunately, I don't have the time.

Jebediah Nightlinger: I regret trifling with married women,
I'm thoroughly ashamed at cheating at cards, I deplore my occasional departures from the truth,
Forgive me for taking your name in vain, my Saturday drunkenness, my Sunday Sloth.
Above all, forgive me for the men I've killed in anger, and those I am about to...

Anse Petersen: Wil, if yer neck was any stiffer, you couldn't even bend down ta pull yer boots on!

[before fighting Asa Watts]
Wil Andersen: I've broke my back once, and my hip twice. And on my worst day I could still beat the hell out of you.

Cimarron: They didn't even did him a decent grave.
Wil Andersen: Well, it's not how you're buried, it's how you're remembered.

Wil Andersen: Sometimes it's hard to understand the drift of things. This was a good boy.
He'd have been a good man. He didn't get his chance. Death can come for ya any place, any time.
It's never welcomed. But if you've done all you can do, and it's your best, in a way I guess you're ready for it.

Jebediah Nightlinger: This may seem a lonesome place to leave him, but he is not alone,
because many of his kind rest here with him. The prairie was like a mother to Mr. Andersen.
He belonged to her. She cared for him while he lived. And she is nursing him while he sleeps.

Wil Andersen: You know, trail driving is not Sunday school picnic.
You got to figure you're dealing with the dumbest oneriest critter on God's green earth.
The cow is nothing but trouble tied up in a leather bag - and the horse ain't much better.

Mrs. Kate Collingwood: The first time should be in the back of a buggy with a girl that they think they're in love with.

Hardy Fimps: I never noticed before, but most of the people I know are quiet compared to Mr. Andersen.
Charles 'Slim' Honeycutt: He's quiet... it just comes out loud.

Stuttering Boy Wilson: Son-of-a-bitch.
Wil Andersen: What did you say?
Stuttering Boy Wilson: You god-damned son-of-a-bitch!
Wil Andersen: Say that again.
Stuttering Boy Wilson: You god-damned, mean, son-of-a-bitch!
Wil Andersen: Say it faster.
Stuttering Boy Wilson: You god-damned, mean, dirty, son-of-a-bitch!
Wil Andersen: I wouldn't make it a habit of calling me that, son.

[The boys are hung-over after a night of drinking whiskey]
Jedediah Nightlinger: Boys are always guilty of something nasty. What could it be this time, I wonder?

Wil Andersen: Now this is the way it's gonna be: I'm a man and you're boys. Not cowmen,
not by a damn sight, nothing but cowboys just like the word says.
And I'm gonna remind you of it every single minute of every day and night.

Jedediah Nightlinger: Doesn't anything larger want to work for you?

Wil Andersen: Now I don't hold jail against you, but I hate a liar.

Wil Andersen: A fool comes to town with a fistful of gold dust, and every jackass from 50 miles around lights out after him.

Wil Andersen: There ain't a kid in that school over fifteen. They're between hay and grass. I need men.
Anse Petersen: How old was you when you went on your first cattle drive?
Wil Andersen: What difference does that make?
Anse Petersen: How old was you, Wil?
Wil Andersen: Well, in my day...
Anse Petersen: How old?
Wil Andersen: Thirteen! But my old man's pants fit me!

Asa Watts: You're a hard man, Mr. Andersen.
Wil Andersen: It's a hard life.

INFORMATION IMDb

On The Cutting Room Floor

Shots of Duke. taking a fall off 'Crazy' Alice

Duke and A. Martinez, while checking the trail ahead,
encounter a bear.
The bear was not in the final print!

Hi,
Not a great film, but not a bad one either.
Generally accepted by our members, has being probably the most violent
of all Duke's films.This apart it would have made a good family film.
One of few, were Duke gets killed, boo, hoo!!
Duke now familiar in his mature person role, without love stories,
he was looking more convincing than ever.
Now filling the father image role, to perfection, he was looking comfortable,
in these later films.
Bruce Dern, was just brilliant as 'Long Hair', and became the most hated man in the world!
and Roscoe, was fantastic as Jebadiah.
With fine performances, from Coleen,and all the boys,
particularly Clay O'Brien, who went on to make CAHILL.
it made for a very enjoyable film.
Besides the film opening to poor attendances,
reviews were favourable,

Rex Reed, of The New York Daily News wrote,

"All the forces that have made John Wayne a dominant ,personality as well as a major screen prescence, seem to combine in an unusual way, providing him with the best role of his career.

Old Dusty britches can act"
Rating 7/10

The Cowboys is a brilliant movie a rights of passage movie with Duke as the boss leading a band of teenage cowboys on their first cattle trail.
It is significantly different from his usual releases around this period but is better for it.
It is a violent movie with a sad ending in that Bruce Dern kills the John Wayne character.

When I first saw this movie I remember it being a longer film with the boys swearing more and being definitely more brutal. I don’t know whether it has been sanitised or re edited by the studio to allow it to be screened on TV.

The DVD print matches what is currently seen on TV. I know Colleen Dewhurst and the girls had a bigger role in the movie which was cut before went to the cinema.

John Wayne felt so bad that most of Colleen scenes were cut that he promised her another role in a later film which turned out to be Mc Q.

Another gripe is the DVD print of this movie. Most DVD prints cause no complaints as they originate from good masters or have been cleaned up before release. This film I thought looked grainy and some wear was evident. Also, there are no extras such as a promo or documentary available.

I would hope that a special edition will be released at some point in the future.

Hi DukePilgrim,
I've bought my DVD copy in Finland and there is some documantary "The Breaking of Boys and the Making of man" with the trailer.
Regards,
Senta

Hi Senta

You are right there is a documentary. What did you think of DVD quality?

Mike

Hi,
I have this documentary, and it's very interesting.
Good shots of Duke, being interviewed.
It also explains, that half the 'Cowboys' were from
western, wrangling, type families
and the other half were actors, brought up in the city.
The two groups, had to teach other, the respective skills.
Good interviews with the director.
Overall a documentary worth seeing.

Originally posted by DukePilgrim@Jan 26 2006, 07:25 PM
Hi Senta

You are right there is a documentary. What did you think of DVD quality?

Mike
26002


Hi Mike,
It is not as good as I expected. But anyway I'm glad that I have this disc. I have heard that 1 zone discs are always better.
regards,
Senta

Hi Senta

Yes, hopefully at some point there may be a remastered version released or at least one that looks better. I will hold on to mine until then.

Apparently, Fort Apache when first released on DVD was really awful. Even the video was better in terms of quality. I have it as of part of the boxed set of John Ford/John Wayne films and whilst it is okay it not that great.

On another note I have a bootleg copy of Stagecoach which came from Far East which is better quality than the official release in this set.

It would be interesting to have a thread reviewing quality of DVDs and what extras come with them.


Mike

Mrs.Anderson says to Wil,just before they leave on the drive,"I'll think about you."
Wil says,"You do and you won't sleep."
I work the graveyard shift and a lot of nights before I leave for work,my wife and I have this conversation.It always makes her smile.

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Jan 26 2006, 02:12 AM
Memorable Quotes *
Jebediah Nightlinger: I regret trifling with married women, I'm thoroughly ashamed at cheating at cards, I deplore my occasional departures from the truth.* Forgive me for taking your name in vain, my Saturday drunkenness, my Sunday Sloth.* Above all, forgive me for the men I've killed in anger, and those I am about to...

INFORMATION IMDb
25983
One of our favorite memorable quotes from this movie, along with "We're burnin' daylight!"

Originally posted by ethanedwards+Jan 26 2006, 02:15 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ethanedwards @ Jan 26 2006, 02:15 AM)</div>Generally accepted by our members, has being probably the most violent
of all Duke's films.* This apart it would have made a good family film.
One of few, were Duke gets killed, boo, hoo!!
Duke now familiar in his mature person role, without love stories,
he was looking more convincing than ever.
Now filling the father image role, to perfection, he was looking comfortable,
in these later films.
Bruce Dern, was just brilliant as 'Long Hair', and became the most hated man in the world!
and Roscoe, was fantastic as Jedediah.
25985[/b]
I agree with most of your assessment of the film, except for folks considering it the most violent. Not looking for any kind of argument here, but I think Big Jake wins out for that dubious distinction. However, the despicable way in which Long Hair kills John Wayne's character (shooting him in the back) definitely takes first place for worst way in which Duke's character died in any movie, and is very upsetting to watch for some.

<!--QuoteBegin-DukePilgrim@Jan 26 2006, 04:24 AM
The Cowboys is a brilliant movie a* rights of passage movie with Duke as the boss leading a band of teenage cowboys on their first cattle trail.25993
I haven't seen this movie for awhile, but if memory serves me correctly, many of the boys were very young, maybe 11 or 12, with few teenagers in the bunch. They were definitely boys, which is one of the things that lends to the poignancy of the film.

Deep Discount DVD ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) carries both the movie by itself, as well as part of the John Wayne Signature Collection. Either way, the documentary you describe above is included.

Amazon ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) also has the individual DVD, with the documentary.

Chester :newyear:

I noticed play.com are selling a new version of The Cowboys.

Has anybody got a copy and are there any more details on the deleted scene that is included?

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

John Wayne has brawled bare-knuckled, gunned down desperadoes, fought jungle wars and piloted the skies. But 'The Cowboys' gives him one of his juiciest roles as a leather-tough rancher who, deserted by his regular help, hires eleven greenhorn schoolboys for a cattle drive across 400 treacherous miles.


When the dust settles, Wayne gives one of his best performances. In The Cowboys, Rex Reed wrote, "All the forces that have made him a dominant personality as well as a major screen presence seem to combine. Old Dusty Britches can act." Co-starring the equally memorable Roscoe Lee Browne, Colleen Dewhurst and Bruce Dern, 'The Cowboys' is exciting proof.


This version, never before released in the UK, includes a previously deleted scene. :huh: :huh:

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your post and the link.
It will be interesting to know what the deleted scene is.
I'm sure someone will be able to tell us

Hi Keith

HMV gives this synopis

This version, never before released in the UK, includes the previously cut scene where Wayne is shot in the stomach.

Running time of my existing DVD is 128 minutes

IMDB Database give 131 minutes yet this version says 133 minutes which is 5 minutes more than original release.

It is also same cover as USA Region 1 release.

I wonder is print and sound better?


Mike

Mike thanks,
Yes it appears, most documentation lists 128 mins,
although, my old VHS version is 121 mins.
So if the deleted scene, is as you say,
it means we all have to suffer Duke dying for 5 minutes longer!!
Oh dear, I don't know whether, we'll be able to stand that!!!!

Best Wishes,

Hi Keith

Reading the reviews of the Region 1 version I think some of the extra minutes are made up a collage of trailers.

Best

Mike

DVD Features:
Region 1
Snap Case
Letterboxed
Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital Surround - English
Dolby Mono - French
Additional Release Material:
"Making Of" Documentary: THE BREAKING OF BOYS AND THE MAKING OF MEN
13 Theatrical Trailers of John Wayne Movies From the 30s Through the 70s
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes


VISION: [ ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ X ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
"Dusty Trails." That's what the digital transfer of "The Cowboys" looks like. Delivered in the film's original 2.35:1 widescreen ratio, the transfer is a mess. It's grainy, the colors are muted and somber, and there are compression artifacts around every bend. I was so disappointed. At first I tried to pretend that the picture wasn't so bad, but it just got more irritating as the film continued. Some scenes look like they were shot through gauze, while others just fall apart. The blacks are an embarrassment, almost dissolving to dark gray in some scenes. John Wayne's corduroy jacket causes strobing during one early scene. The colors are dreary. The blue skies are washed out, the flesh tones look pale, and the earth tones seem lifeless. It looks like the original negative wasn't in the best condition. The images look sharper once the disc switches over to the second layer, but it's still not acceptable. It's watch-able, but it's not nearly up to the high standards one comes to expect from Warner Home Video DVD.

HEARING: [ ] EXCELLENT [ X ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
"The Cowboys" DVD features a newly remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack in English and a French language mono soundtrack. The 5.1 Soundtrack is okay but no overly expressive. The rear speakers are under utilized, and only come alive with the occasional strain of John William's score or some low level ambient noise. The dialogue mix is strong, but the sound range isn't dynamic enough to discuss. I wasn't expecting much from the soundtrack, so I was pleased with the results.

ORAL: [ ] EXCELLENT [ X ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
Closed Captions in English and subtitles in French.

COORDINATION: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
First and foremost, let me say that I love coming attraction trailers. I'd probably buy this DVD just for the thirteen theatrical trailers included that cover John Wayne's career at Warner Brothers. Aside from the original "The Cowboys" trailer, you get "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Rio Bravo," "Stagecoach," "Blood Alley," "The Green Berets," "The Searchers" and many more. It's a John Wayne coming attraction film festival, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The DVD also features a behind-the-scenes documentary "The Breaking of Boys and the Making of Men." It's a short yet fascinating exploration of the process director Mark Rydell used to turn actors into cowboys and cowboys into actors. I especially liked the scene where Rydell lets one of the actors know he has gotten the part. It's a real, honest moment. There's also a brief history lesson on the cowboy, his place in history and film, plus star and crew production notes and bios, and handsome main and scene access menus. A nice package of extras for a DVD that isn't a "special edition."

Mike, I agree,
This is always a problem,
It's difficult to know, if they're listing the total running time of the DVD
or the movie running time!!
However, it seems before this new release, the official view,as we said,
is a movie time of, 128 mins,

Hi Keith

I think it may be a slightly longer version but still hasnt been remastered properly.

I think I'll wait for a while until Play247 drop their price to the £8.00 mark.

I've noticed they tend to do that after a few months.

I see The Conqueor and Jet Pilot are there at £5.99!! B)


Mike

Hi DukePilgrim.

I may be wrong, but I don't think this is a new release at all. I think it has been around a couple of years. I couldn't see any date of release anywhere, but play.com has had a "The Cowboys" DVD available for a long time. For some reason this hasn't been available at Amazon or other stores.

Regards
Popol Vuh

Hi Popol


It is a different release from my original DVD from Play.com but it not a new release. I think it based on the Region 1 release which has the same artwork.

The only difference is the slightly longer running time which I think is the collage of 13 trailers plus this extra scene.

It's a shame they have not remastered the picture or got it from a better source. It a bit steep to pay £14.99 for essentially the same movie.

As I have said before in previous posts I was disappointed with film in terms of picture quality especially when projected as it looks washed out and has signs of wear. I would be keen to rebuy if it was enhanced.

The only reason I would buy (if price is reduced) is in the hope that it will be better than the copy I have now plus the extra scene and trailers.

Sometimes the transfer to PAL format is morse successful than NSTC transfer.

I really think if film companies are going to repackage they should at least give the fans something extra for rebuying the same title

They have done that with a number of JW Paramount movies recently which are now available in widescreen instead of academy format but are essentially the same.


Mike

Hi all,
What interests me - that episode were Duke, trying to hold the young horse take her ear in his mouth. Is it really helps? My horse stand very bad all veterinary vactination and I'm thinking what can I do about that?
Regards,
Senta :rolleyes:

Now here's a RUMOR (I repeat, RUMOR) that I find a little hard to believe, but perhaps someone here knows what it's all about.

I heard a story this morning, from a good friend, that in the movie The Cowboys, when it was released in Russia, that John Wayne ends up NOT dying in the movie. Where he heard that rumor I have no idea, and I can't imagine how that plot twist would even work, or how it could have been missed by this group of expert John Wayne buffs :D . Since we have at least one member over in Russia, possibly some light might be shed on this story.

Or if anyone else knows some other story that might have been mistaken for The Cowboys . . . we would certainly happy to hear about it.

Chester :newyear:

Hello Chester,
I have Russian DVD with Cowboys and it is exactly the same film with the same ending.
Regards,
Vera

Originally posted by Senta@Mar 4 2006, 11:25 PM
Hello Chester,
I have Russian DVD with Cowboys and it is exactly the same film with the same ending.
Regards,
Vera
28391
Oh well, too bad, one could only Hope. . . .

Chester :newyear:

Just finnished watching this underated movie Brilliant!very clever film, in places, good action, real good baddy (Bruce dern)BOOO!, Brilliant music The duke should have gotten an award for his portrayal of Wil Anderson. Loved the TV spin off too.
*****

The Cowboys (Mark Rydell, 1972) is definitely one of Wayne's best and most solidly developed late Westerns. We discuss the film (and its potential political implications) in great detail here:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Also, does anyone know if John Ford made any contributions to the picture? Check out the following photographs:

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

The Cowboys is one of the finest movies I have seen. These children set out boys, but come home men. They learned of integrity, hardwork, betrayal, loyalty, the pain of losing a friend and losing a mentor, and the good and bad of human nature. These men took it upon themselves to right a wrong facing bad men and bad odds. Loved every minute of it.

The Cowboys

Pretty good movie, though I think it's a little hard to believe that a rancher would take boys that young on a drive. I can see the older kids going, but some of them...

I think the movie has been tagged as violent just because of the subject matter, rather than what actually happens. John Wayne being shot certainly makes a lot of people think that it's worse than it is, and the fact that you see twelve year old kids killing people adds to that. However, overall I don't think that it is too violent at all.

I have to say that I am a big fan of Roscoe Lee Browne and thought it was great to see him in this film.

Now onto Bruce Dern. I can definitely believe that he would get death threats for his portrayal of Long Hair. But I thought the character was a little too much. He was too crazy, and not rational at all. Sure I understand that his main motive was stealing the herd and making some money, but I thought he was over the top, like some psycho Bond villain or something. However, the movie was still enjoyable. I knew that John died before I watched it so I wasn't shocked when he was cowardly gunned down. Very touching scene at the end where Cimarron tells the gravestone carver to write beloved husband and father on the tombstone.

I found the Overture, Intermission, Entr'acte, Exit music part a little weird.

Has anyone had sight of the Deluxe Version?

It appears to be 5 minutes shorter than the previous release but I wouldn't put much faith on their times stated.

The deluxe one has a documentary on the Cowboys now and trailer.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]


My question would be is print any better?


Mike

Hi All

I got the Cowboys Deluxe DVD today.

Much improved picture and sound compared to previous release.

Extras are new documentary from Mark Rydell and the boys who starred in the movie.

Also. included is theatrical trailer and older promo documentary The Breaking of Boys and the Making of Men.

Much better release worth replacing older DVD.

Detailed review attached.


Mike



The Cowboys appears in an aspect ratio of approximately 2.35:1 on this single-sided, double-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. Across the board, the transfer looked great.
Virtually no problems with sharpness occurred. The movie consistently looked crisp and well-delineated. No signs of jagged edges or shimmering materialized, and only a sliver of edge enhancement was apparent. Source flaws remained largely absent, as I noticed only a couple of small specks in this essentially clean presentation.
As befit the western setting, colors looked low-key. They were always as full as the cinematography demanded, though, and they appeared very solid. The occasional brighter hues seemed vivid and rich within the normally arid confines. Blacks were dark and full, while shadows usually came across well. Some “day for night” shots were a little murky, but they didn’t cause substantial problems. This was a consistently strong image.
In addition, the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack of The Cowboys satisfied. The scope of the soundfield didn’t dazzle but it worked much better than the average movie from 1972. Music always showed nice stereo imaging, and effects broadened matters a little. Though they didn’t boast much specificity, they opened the spectrum a bit and gave us some scope. A little localized speech cropped up through the movie. The music was the best aspect of the track, though, and the score also spread to the surrounds in an effective manner. Though the mix didn’t create a great soundfield, it seemed natural and fitting.
Given the age of the material, audio quality seemed strong. Speech sounded fairly natural, and I noticed no distortion or problems. The music appeared lush and lively, while effects were concise and clean. They presented good range when necessary. This was a more than competent mix for a 36-year-old flick.
A mix of supplements come to us for this “Deluxe Edition” of The Cowboys. We begin with an audio commentary from director Mark Rydell. He offers a running, screen-specific chat. Rydell discusses cast and crew, sets and locations, working with John Wayne, training the kids to be cowboys, composer John Williams, reactions to the flick, and other aspects of shooting the flick. My favorite stories involve the interaction between actor Bruce Dern and the kids as well as one about John Ford’s visit to the set.
Rydell offers an amiable chat and parses out decent details along the way. However, at times he just seems happy to watch the movie again, so a fair amount of dead air comes out here. That factor causes some problems, but Rydell provides enough good stories along the way to make this a worthwhile listen.
A new featurette called The Cowboys: Together Again runs 28 minutes, 33 seconds as it examines a recent reunion. Most of the material comes from a December 12, 2006 session with Rydell and actors A Martinez, Bruce Dern, Norman Howell, Jr., and Stephen Hudis. Actors Robert Carradine and Roscoe Lee Browne appear in separate interviews. Here we learn about the project’s origins, Rydell’s work as a director, casting kid actors and rodeo performers, shooting the flick and working with Wayne, acting details and various impressions of each other, locations, and other production elements.
I like the concept of “Together” and think the show includes just enough useful information to succeed. Inevitably, some material repeats from Rydell’s commentary, and we also find a fair amount of fuzzy nostalgic happy talk we expect from this kind of retrospective. Nonetheless, the piece presents some decent notes and proves enjoyable.
In addition to the movie’s trailer, we find a vintage featurette. The Breaking of Boys and the Making of Men goes for eight minutes, 49 seconds. We view Rydell’s casting sessions and see the boys’ training as well as a few other aspects of the shoot. The elements from the production help make this a fun piece. We get many nice glimpses of the filmmaking processes, so it adds up to more than just the usual promotional program.
Though I went into The Cowboys with low expectations, the result proved quite enjoyable. A stark, honest look at an unusual cattle drive, the movie managed to create a memorable and emotional experience. The DVD boasted excellent picture and audio plus a mix of reasonably interesting extras. This is a good DVD for a fine film.

I've had mine for awhile and I just glanced at the time on mine and it says 135 min. Not sure what the old time was but I agree the times unless significant are irrelevant. A remake like this they aren't going to deduct movie length, they may add some but I doubt they'd every remove anything.

I've always heard that there were scenes that were in the movie that got deleted on my version of the dvd. Have there been any new scenes in this version?

Not sure... IMDB says 131 min and the new release says 135 minutes. I should run them together and see what's in the extra 4 min. I have both and it's not hard to do.

I think the only footage that was cut was when the boys find the Colleen Dewhurst and her good time girls. This footage was cut for TV showings but is on most DVD Releases.

I think some of the language was also trimmed for TV viewings as well

This release has an Overture of The Cowboys Theme before the film starts so I think any additional footage comes from there.


Mike

I'm going to be running both movies now to see if I can find the difference. Give me a few to sync the movies. I have three copies of The Cowboys. The two main copies, both released by Warner Bros. are both identical. They have a 2 min 30 sec Overture and a 1 min 26 sec Exit Music. The shorter one is only different because it doesn't have the 3 min 56 sec of music so that's your 131 minutes and 135 minutes difference. The only difference is the older movie started with the old Warner Bros. logo and the new release had the new WB logo. All the chapters are the same as well.

I had to watch the fight scene, I'd have to pick that as the best/worse fight scene. Especially since the vermin ridden SOB that shoots him in the left arm, right thigh, right arm, and two times in the belly but gets what;s coming to him... I wouldn't have cut him free, just let the horse run off and it probably would have broke his back. That's a hard part to watch.

I was going to ask, did everyone get the same set location pictures also? Here are the ones I got with the new DVD: (I watermarked them so don't spread them around...)

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I just thought that I would add this for your enjoyment. I always loved this conversation between Anse and Will. Enjoy!

Mark

Click the link to hear the audio file.

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Mark, thanks for that clip - definitely good for a laugh!

I recently read an Associated Press article about Bruce Dern (the guy we love to hate because he "killed" John Wayne), and found it online ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), for your reading pleasure. It was actually an interesting article.

Chester :newyear:

A pretty good interview, and I bet the book is good too.

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I might have to read that book. I didn't know all that about him.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

I might have to read that book. I didn't know all that about him.
Who'da thunk three or four years ago that we'd be interested in reading Bruce Dern's book :headbonk: ?

Chester :newyear:

Sounds like an interesting book


Mike

I'm trying to catch up on sharing posters.

Here are two -

2086

I like this second one better, because it catches the essence of the film -

2087

This was the Duke's last really great film, just superb in every way.

I disagree, I feel that The Shootist was his last really great film. Cowboys had a few pacing and plot problems to me.

I agree that The Shootist was a great performance by Duke, but it felt more like a TV movie. It was the same with Steve McQueen's last film, The Hunted.

I just watched the special features on this movie and there was a particualr story that the director Mark Rydell told which I thought was funny.

It was when they were having lunch together and during the lunch Duke got up to go to the bathroom. Upon his return his 1 pant leg was wet on the side all the way down. Mark asked Duke, "What in the world happened?" Duke looked and him and sighed, "It happens to me alot in the bathroom, everytime I am standing there and some guy turns to me and says, your John Wayne!!" and he made a jester as to show the gentelmen peeing on Duke's leg!!! I had never heard that story before and thought it was quite funny.

The Cowboys and The Shootist are two of my favorite John Wayne but I just can't bring myself to watch these again.I can't stand to see my Man of all men die !

Here's an example of the book. A great read!

Mark

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