Steineded How sad is this?

ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Wuchak Released in 1965 and directed by Henry Hathaway, "The Sons of Katie Elder" is a Western starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Earl Holliman and Michael Anderson Jr. as four brothers who reunite at their Southwest home town after the death of their mother. They try to solve the mysteries of who shot their dad in the back six months earlier and how her their mother was swindled. James Gregory plays Morgan Hastings while George Kennedy appears as a hired heavy. A young Dennis Hopper is also on hand while Martha Hyer appears as the requisite babe, but she's relatively underused, unfortunately.The main problem with this movie is the difference in ages between the oldest son, played by John Wayne, and the youngest, who's only 18. But let's assume Katie had her eldest son when she was about 16, which was common at the time, and birthed the youngest son when she was in her mid-40s. It's not out of the realm of plausibility and has been known to happen, particularly back then when women had more kids than in modern times. True, Wayne was too old for the role at 58 years-old, but without him there would be no movie.Beyond that, I found this a satisfying Duke Western of the same general quality as some of his other Westerns of the time, like "The Comancheros" (1961), "El Dorado" (1966), "The War Wagon" (1967), "Rio Lobo" (1970), "Chisum" (1970) and "The Train Robbers" (1973). While it may not be on the level of "The Horse Soldiers" (1959), "The Alamo" (1960), "North to Alaska" (1960), "True Grit" (1969), "The Cowboys" (1972) and "Rooster Cogburn" (1975), it's better than 1956's overrated "The Searchers" IMHO. It's a slow-build drama with entertaining highlights, a quality score (for the era) and a compelling final act. The focus on the four reunited brothers is a unique approach for a Wayne Western, or any Western.The film runs 122 minutes and was mostly shot in the Durango, Mexico, area with studio work in Mexico City and the opening train shots done in Durango, Colorado.GRADE: B

utgard14 Four brothers reunite at their mother's funeral. They discover their mother was broke and their father had been murdered six months before and try to figure out who is responsible. This was John Wayne's comeback film after his much-publicized cancer surgery that cost him a lung. It also reunited him with Rio Bravo co-star Dean Martin, who plays one of his brothers. The other two are played by Earl Holliman and Michael Anderson, Jr., who replaced Disney star Tommy Kirk at the last minute. Much is made about the age gap between Wayne and his brothers, particularly Anderson. It seems obvious to me that the character Wayne plays is supposed to be younger than he actually was at the time. Maybe even as much as ten years younger. It's not a big deal unless you're the type of person who lets little things get to them. This is a fun western with a solid cast. The bad guys include James Gregory, George Kennedy, and Dennis Hopper. Not one of my favorite Duke movies but a pretty good one.

SanteeFats This movie is a decent one from the Duke. Dean Martin is his usual charismatic, charming, con man self. Earl Holliman plays one of the four brothers and it actually surprised me when he got killed. Katie Elder is never seen but a verbal portrait is painted over the length of the film of a tough, no nonsense, honest woman. Wayne plays the oldest and toughest of the brothers. A known gunfighter, not necessarily a hired gun though. The scenes when the three oldest gang up on the youngest, Bud, where they are going to see their mothers wish that at least one brother amounts to something admirable, are pretty funny. The frame up the bad guy pulls is kinda smart. Dennis Hopper does his usual fine acting as the cowardly son and of course he gets killed in the end. George Kennedy plays a gunslinger for hire and does a good job.

Petri Pelkonen Katie Elder has died.Her four sons return to Clearwater, Texas and mourn over her death.They also intend to get the ranch back and revenge for the murder of their father.The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) is directed by Henry Hathaway.The brothers are played by four terrific actors, which are John Wayne (John), Dean Martin (Tom), Michael Anderson, Jr. (Bud) and Earl Holliman (Matt).Martha Hyer is wonderful as Mary Gordon.Jeremy Slate is terrific as Ben Latta.James Gregory is great as Morgan Hastings.The young Dennis Hopper gives a terrific performance as his son Dave.Paul Fix is superb as Sheriff Billy Watson.As the thuggish Curley you can see the marvelous George Kennedy.John Qualen is very good as Charlie Biller.Great job from Strother Martin, who plays Jeb Ross.And also from Karl Swenson as Doc Isdell.If a movie has John Wayne and Dean Martin in the lead, you can't expect a movie of bad quality.And this movie turns out to be a good western with Duke and Dino, but it's not their very best.It's not quite the level of Rio Bravo, which I saw again recently.But it entertains enough, like in the scene where those four brothers fight.And when these brothers fight, they really fight.And the gunfight in the end is a treat.