54 Years Since "The Cowboys"

Above, a group photo of John Wayne and his young co-stars.

The final decade of John Wayne's movie career was a mixed bag. Some movies were good, some mediocre and some were great. All were entertaining to various degrees.

One of the great ones was The Cowboys (1972). Yesterday marked 54 years since The Cowboys was released. I remember seeing it at a theater during its initial release. It was directed by Mark Rydell. The score was composed by John Williams.

The John Wayne official Facebook page posted the following yesterday:

Celebrating 54 Years of The Cowboys (1972)

On January 13, 1972, The Cowboys premiered, marking a significant chapter in Western cinema. In this film, John Wayne portrays Wil Andersen, a seasoned rancher who, after losing his crew to a gold rush, enlists a group of schoolboys to drive cattle across treacherous terrain. The film is notable for being one of the few where Wayne's character meets an untimely end.

Directed by Mark Rydell, The Cowboys not only showcased Wayne's enduring talent but also launched the careers of several young actors, including Robert Carradine and A Martinez. The film's blend of grit and heart continues to resonate with audiences today.

To this day, some John Wayne fans hold a grudge against the movie's villain, Bruce Dern. He played a very unlikeable villain, but magnificently so. Around about that time, while my family and I were headed up Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu to attend the Point Mugu airshow, we saw Dern jogging along the side of the road.  

If you haven't seen The Cowboys, I highly recommend seeing it. I have a DVD copy of it.