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The Cowboys (1972)

GP | | Adventure, Drama, Western | 13 January 1972 (USA)
The Cowboys Poster
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Rancher Wil Andersen is forced to hire inexperienced boys as cowhands in order to get his herd to market on time but the rough drive is full of dangers and a gang of cattle rustlers is trailing them.

Director:

Writers:

(novel), (screenplay) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
1 win. See more awards »

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Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Wil Andersen
... Jebediah Nightlinger
... Long Hair
... Kate
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
... Cimarron - Cowboy
... Hardy Fimps - Cowboy
Sam O'Brien ... Jimmy Phillips - Cowboy
Mike Pyeatt ... Homer Weems - Cowboy
See full cast »
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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

Plot Keywords:

main character dies | long underwear | based on novel | evil man | good versus evil | See All (105) »

Taglines:

All they wanted was their chance to be men...and he gave it to them. See more »

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

Certificate:

GP | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

13 January 1972 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

John Wayne et les cow-boys  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,500,000
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show more 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

The tune that is played on guitar at the camp fire is "Guitar Concerto in D Major" by Antonio Vivaldi. See more »

Goofs

When Mr. Andersen is branding the calf during roundup, he only touches the iron to the calf once even though the brand on other livestock clearly shows two distinct O's. Before he brands the calf, one can clearly see that the iron is a single O. See more »

Quotes

Annie Andersen: I'll think about ya 'fore I go to bed at night.
Wil Andersen: You do and you won't sleep.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Matchmaker (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

Home on the Range
(uncredited)
Music by Daniel E. Kelley
Lyrics by Brewster M. Higley
Sung by the boys in camp
See more »

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User Reviews

 
I have watched it every year for 34 years!
6 December 2006 | by – See all my reviews

The Cowboys has never gotten the attention it deserves. I saw it at age 13 when it was released and loved it. Wayne's performance is much more mature and deep than his Oscar winner as Rooster Cogburn. Roscoe Lee Browne's performance helped to dispel racial stereotypes in westerns. And Bruce Dern's riveting psychopathic role as a child abuser and back shooter brought him death threats. The Cowboys has it all. Great scenery, action, drama, solid acting and a great musical score by John Williams. Even the small parts with Slim Pickens and Colleen Dewhurst are jewels. Every teenage boy should see this film and John Wayne lovers should revisit this beautiful film.
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