Review of The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) by Sarfaraz A — 28 Aug 2013

The Sons of Katie Elder directed by Henry Hathaway. Starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Michael Anderson Jr. Martha Hyer, Dennis Hopper, George Kennedy and Earl Holliman. John Wayne performed many stunts himself, although have returned from operation of removal of few cancerous ribs. It was filmed in Mexico and around Colorado. This is second reunion of John Wayne and Dean Martin since appearing in Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo six years ago. It is also believed that Mark Wahlberg starred film Four Brothers 2005 is influenced from this movie. The story of the film is said to be based on true story of Marlow Brothers from 1888.

Set in Clearwater (Texas) recently dead popularly-loved Katie Elder's son John Wayne a mighty gunslinger returns upon his mother's funeral, by the train but unnoticed by residents of the town as well as by his three brothers Dean Martin, Michael Anderson, Jr. , Earl Holliman. Feeling entirely saddened not to have kept their mother happy by pursing fine life - they vow to make things better, firstly by asking youngest to keep up with studies as their ma wanted (who is unwilling to go back to college). Facing taunting behavior of townsfolk - the brothers believe something was not quite right behind their back and mysterious death of their father - keeping their eyes fixed at new name in town of rising ammunition manufacturer Morgan Hastings.

It has been long time since I last watched any John Wayne film - to speak the truth here; I started watching movies with love for western films. It was sudden urge, but what a magnificent entertaining film this was - John Wayne (though borrowing humor and sense here for the role - which is pretty good to watch) does better job being in his 60s then. His arrogance does not seem to age with his lifespan. Dean Martin, while not that catchable due to petty role that only serves him to be taken for granted; yet he did his best to contribute to another great western since Rio Bravo.