The Sons of Katie Elder
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.35 You Save: $5.60 (62%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.20 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Sons of Katie Elder
Movie Review: Solid, journeyman job
Summary: 4 Stars
One of Wayne's better 1960s Westerns. This is clearly not in the same league as the classics of the 50s such as The Searchers and Rio Bravo, but is nonetheless a fine, action-packed shoot-em-up. I think George Kennedy won an Oscar for his role as the evil hired gun. Dennis Hopper is superb as the wimpy son of the town crook (who in turn is played by the fellow who portrayed the Lieutenant on TV's Barney Miller). You will probably recognize most of the supporting cast. (The actor who played the Sheriff, Micah, on The Rifleman plays Sheriff Billy in this movie.) Martha Hyer does a decent, understated job as the female lead. The one major dramatic flaw in the movie occurs near the end. (I may be giving something away here, so don't read any further if you haven't seen the movie.) I am referring to the total lack of on-screen mourning by the good guys when one of their fellow protagonists dies. This also happened in some other Wayne Westerns of the 60s. But I am quibbling here. This is a true Western with a wonderful soundtrack.Movie Review: Wayne, Lucien Ballard's camera, and Elmer's Music--How Can You Go Wrong?
Summary: 4 Stars
I know the sixties films of Wayne will never get the same accolades as his Ford westerns, but dang it, this is a pretty decent movie. Couple of things to note: Even though Katie Elder is never shown in the movie, you feel her presence throughout, which I think is a testament to the quality of the screenplay and acting. You actually picture her in your imagination through all of the stories told about her. Secondly, Dean Martin's performance is exceptional. He's irreverent, funny, self-deprecating, and really intense when he faces the villains at the end. He shows once again what a good dramatic actor he was. Then there's Lucien Ballard's camera. Every shot is framed so beautifully--enhancing the locations where they shot the film. And finally, there's Elmer Bernstein's wonderful music. He could really score a western and became the Duke's preferred composer after Dimitri Tiomkin died in the early sixties.Movie Review: Big Bad John...
Summary: 4 Stars
The Duke is John Elder, a man with a reputation with a gun, he's back in town for his mothers funeral where all the Elder brother's eventually meet to find out the status of Katie Elders estate she may have left behind for her sons. A good plot, lots of gunplay, John Wayne is at his usual best, Dean Martin is good as Tom Elder, though I've seen him in better roles as the drunk character, Dude, in Rio Bravo. To tell you how tough the Duke really was, Wayne always insisted on doing his own stunts, as in this movie after recently undergoing lung cancer surgery (the removal of half of one lung.) - the toughness of John Wayne. The Duke once said, "courage is being scared but saddling up anyway". "Son's of Katie Elder", the remastered transfer on this Paramount dvd is excellent.Movie Review: John Wayne at his very best.
Summary: 4 Stars
John Wayne always seemed to play the same hard-edged good guy in every Western, but there are enough subtle differences in each character to make each one different and each one enjoyable. The same is the case in this film, THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER.In addition to John Wayne, classic actors such as Dean Martin, George Kennedy, and Dennis Hopper play key roles that make this movie a classic. Sure the action scenes are exactly what are expected, there are also several moments where you'll find yourself belly laughing! All in all, a classic.
A final note. If you don't fall out of your chair laughing when John Wayne hits George Kennedy with an axe handle...check your pulse.
Movie Review: Dennis Hopper and Henry Hathaway
Summary: 4 Stars
Actually Dennis Hopper's major conflict with Henry Hathaway was on a previous film, From Hell To Texas, starring Don Murray. Sons Of Katie Elder is Hopper and Hathaway refueling.True Grit would soon follow.A fine solid western, with a great support team, notably Paul Fix, John Doucette, Rodolfo Acosta, Sheldon Allman, Strother Martin, Rhys Williams, Jeremy Slate, among others.Great Elmer Bernstein score.