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The Cowboys (1972)

GP  -  Adventure | Comedy | Drama  -  13 January 1972 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 6,888 users  
Reviews: 70 user | 41 critic

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 ... See full summary »

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(novel), (screenplay), 2 more credits »
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Title: The Cowboys (1972)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Alfred Barker Jr. ...
Fats - Cowboy
Nicolas Beauvy ...
Dan - Cowboy
Steve Benedict ...
Steve - Cowboy
...
Slim Honeycutt - Cowboy
...
Weedy - Cowboy (as Norman Howell Jr.)
...
Charlie Schwartz - Cowboy (as Stephen Hudis)
Sean Kelly ...
Stuttering Bob - Cowboy
...
Clay O'Brien ...
Hardy Fimps - Cowboy
Sam O'Brien ...
Jimmy Phillips - Cowboy
Mike Pyeatt ...
Homer Weems - Cowboy
Edit

Storyline

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. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The youngest was nine. There wasn't one of them over fifteen. At first, he couldn't stand the sight of them. At last, he couldn't take his eyes away. See more »


Certificate:

GP | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

13 January 1972 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Cowboys  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$7,500,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(35 mm prints)| (70 mm prints)| (some 35 mm prints)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Farnsworth plays a member of Asa Watts' 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. See more »

Goofs

Early in the movie when the old bull and new bull are fighting, the old bull is a Brahman cross bull, probably a beefmaster or beefmaster type. This is easily identified by the loose skin, particularly around the sheath, and slightly larger ears. However, the first Brahman cattle were imported into the United States in 1854 from India and were used in a Circus, cattle for breeding were not imported until the end of the 1800's. These cattle were kept solely in the Gulf states until well into the 1900s due to the fact that they are extremely heat tolerant but do very poorly in colder climates. Even todays Brahman and cross cattle could not survive in the extreme winter weather of the north. Ref American Brahman Breeders Association, History of Brahman Cattle. While this is a fact that would be unnoticed by anyone who was not very familiar with breeds of cattle, it is a fact that would never occur in real life. See more »

Quotes

Wil Andersen: Now... this is the "Double O", this is Belle Fourche. In between is four hundred miles of the meanest country in the West. And the only way we're gonna get through is if you take orders. Is that clear?
School boys: Yes, sir.
Wil Andersen: Bring a bed roll, couple of good ropes, horse if ya got one. You'll get the best food in the territory, no rest, damn little sleep. And fifty big silver dollars, IF we make it to Belle Fourche. Now, you'll show up at my place first Monday after schools out at 5:00 a.m. And come with ...
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs (2000) See more »

Soundtracks

"Guitar Concerto in D, 2nd movement (Largo)"
(uncredited)
Written by Antonio Vivaldi
Played by Slim and also heard during a scene of the drive
See more »

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User Reviews

 
The Duke:Still My Hero
16 September 2001 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

What a thrill it is for me to be able to say that I experienced the tremendous presence of John Wayne on the big screen.I was but a lad of 7 when I was taken to a local theater to see this, one of the last performances of one of the biggest stars ever. This is without question the ultimate boys-to-men story.Duke (in the character of Wil Anderson) is faced with a dilemma. There is cattle to drive and no available men in town due to an epidemic of gold fever.There's no one left but a classroom full of boys aged 15 and younger.He seems insulted at first at the notion of taking them on,but left with no choice,he does. Any young child, such as I was at the time,almost wished he could come along for the ride.By the end of the film,they may still be boys in body,but they have the spirit of young men. Excellent casting here,with Bruce Dern as one of the most effective screen villains ever,and the memorable performance of Roscoe Lee Browne as worldly and intelligent Jebediah Nightlinger.As a grown man viewing this film today,I can honestly say that the Duke is still my hero.

4/12/2007 R.I.P. Roscoe Lee Browne (1925-2007)


33 of 45 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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