Watch The Sons of Katie Elder

The Sons of Katie Elder is a classic western film from 1965 starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Martha Hyer, and Earl Holliman. Directed by Henry Hathaway, the movie was released by Paramount Pictures in the United States. The story revolves around four brothers - John Elder (played by Wayne), Tom Elder (played by Dean Martin), Matt Elder (played by Earl Holliman), and Bud Elder (played by Michael Anderson Jr.). They return home to Clearwater, Texas for their mother's funeral after she dies in a small town in Texas near the Mexican border. Their mother, Katie Elder, was known and respected throughout the town and her passing has left her four sons grief stricken.

But upon arriving in Clearwater, the Elder brothers realize that their mother was broke despite owning a large ranch. Worse still, the town is in the grip of a powerful gangster by the name of Morgan Hastings (played by James Gregory). Hastings and his henchmen have taken over the town, and the Elder brothers have to fight their way through them to protect their family's honor and their mother's legacy.

The Sons of Katie Elder is a classic Western in every way, with its traditional themes of family values, honor, and loyalty. It is also a pure spectacle of action, gunplay, cattle drives, and horseback riding, set against the backdrop of a harsh but beautiful American West.

The cast of The Sons of Katie Elder is spectacular. John Wayne stands out as the leader of the four brothers, with his commanding presence and his gritty, no-nonsense acting delivering the goods. Dean Martin, in a change of pace from his usual roles, is also amazing as the charming and fun-loving Tom Elder. Earl Holliman and Michael Anderson Jr. also deliver solid performances as the other two brothers.

Martha Hyer, who plays Mary Gordon, the girlfriend of John Elder, is also great in her role. Her interaction with Wayne and the rest of the cast bring depth to her character and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

The cinematography in The Sons of Katie Elder is stunning, with some of the most breathtaking vistas of the West ever captured on film. The action scenes are exciting and well-choreographed, plus the evocative musical score by Elmer Bernstein creates an immersive landscape.

The strong themes of family, brotherhood, and responsibility play throughout the movie, and provide some of its most powerful moments. The bond between the Elder brother is tested by the challenges they face, but they always manage to come together in their devotion to their mother and their desire to preserve her legacy. It's a story of loss, redemption, and ultimately, overcoming great adversity.

In conclusion, The Sons of Katie Elder is an outstanding Western film that is sure to delight fans of the genre. It's a film that combines classic Western tropes with great performances, fascinating characters, and exhilarating action sequences. If you are a fan of John Wayne or Dean Martin, or just looking for a great movie to watch, The Sons of Katie Elder is a classic Western that deserves to be seen.

The Sons of Katie Elder is a 1965 western with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 72.