The Sons of Katie Elder

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The Sons of Katie Elder

1965

2h 2m

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

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15 Reviews

82%

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10,000+ Ratings

Four ne'er-do-well sons reunite in their Texas hometown to attend their mother's funeral. Led by older brothers John (John Wayne), a gunfighter, and Tom (Dean Martin), a gambler, the four soon learn that their father gambled away the family ranch, which was the cause of his murder. The brothers decide to avenge their father's death and win back the ranch, a situation that quickly leads to trouble with the local sheriff and violent conflict with the rival Hastings clan.

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

The violence is mild and the characters' intentions are always clear, so it makes for a good family movie that can spark discussions about the choices we make.

Jan 31, 2024

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Ray Oviatt

Toledo Blade

Traditionalists should be quite pleased with The Sons of Katie Elder.

Jul 1, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

I've always had a soft spot for this one.

Rated: 3/4

May 30, 2021

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Joan Didion

Vogue

I have a good time at movies like Katie Elder; I like the country and I like John Wayne and I like Dean Martin and I like gunfights.

Mar 13, 2020

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Steve Crum

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Fun, often exciting Wayne western with great cast.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 21, 2006

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Undemanding psychological Western.

Rated: B-

Oct 13, 2005

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Steven M

My favorite John Wayne film. Yeah, it tops Rio Bravo, El Dorado and True Grit, in my opinion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Blu B

A Western Classic. The acting is good but not up to par as everything else here. Wayne & Martin are great and do a great job. Kennedy & Hopper are great to. Most of the rest of the supporting cast does a good job save for the other two brothers who aren't bad but kind of blend in together. The younger one oddly enough despite being a big focus just doesn't have the same charisma as Wayne & Martin do. And the other one is very forgettable so when anything happens to them it's doesn't hit that hard. Everything else is really well done with great direction to boot. This is a murder mystery almost Noir like plot in a Western and does move at a very slow and lesiurely pace for the first half as they uncover the conspiracy behind what happened to their mother and the ranch. Honestly not much happens but it's never jumpy as they keep all four together and everything to it's credit follows a logical flow. It's a borderline detective story in a Western. This does require a bit of patience for a payoff but it does deliver with lots of action in the second half that's really well done. It can be a bit sentimental and the girl does feel a bit hammed in at times too but overall it's really well done. Suprised how well it paid off in the second half. Thought it would just be steady the entire way. Anyone who is a fan of Westerns, any actors in this, or the director should give this a try.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

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Garrett B

A classic western film starring John Wayne.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Rosana B

Aquela trilha sonora clássica dos faroeste western deliciosa, um roteiro bem interessante, sobre os interesseiros e sem juízo, porem vingativos filhos de Katie Elder, os efeitos simplórios, mas irrelevantes, a fotografia é belíssima, divertido (como a briga fraternal entre irmãos), dramático, John Wayne um sessentão de respeito (que mesmo após remover parte do pulmão cancerígeno fez todas as acrobacias e quase foi levado pelo rio), mais um excelente faroeste dos áureos anos 60…

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

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Eduardo F

I like this movie. You will feel fresh writing and good acting. Good Old Times...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/24

Full Review

ANY1aBLUE

Yep, ticks all the boxes. Great family fun for a rainy Sunday afternoon……

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

Full Review

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Henry Hathaway

Director

John Wayne

John Elder

Dean Martin

Tom Elder

Martha Hyer

Mary Gordon

Michael Anderson Jr.

Bud Elder

Earl Holliman

Matt Elder

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Synopsis

Four ne'er-do-well sons reunite in their Texas hometown to attend their mother's funeral. Led by older brothers John (John Wayne), a gunfighter, and Tom (Dean Martin), a gambler, the four soon learn that their father gambled away the family ranch, which was the cause of his murder. The brothers decide to avenge their father's death and win back the ranch, a situation that quickly leads to trouble with the local sheriff and violent conflict with the rival Hastings clan.

Director: Henry Hathaway
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Hal Wallis Productions
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Runtime: 2h 2m

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