The Cowboys (1972)

VHS CASE/SIDE

MPPA Certifcate Number: 23040

Length of film: 134 Minutes

Rated: GP

Genre: Western, Drama, Adventure

Director: Mark Rydell

Starring: John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Browne, Bruce Dern, Colleen Dewhurst, Alfred Barker Jr., Nicolas Beauvy, Steve Benedict

IMDB Rank: 7.4/10

Part 1 Time:  79 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  55 Minutes

Where does the first part end?  Long Hair (Bruce Dern) threatens then releases Dan (Nicolas Beauvy).

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Go Home”Long Hair states to Dan. 

First line of dialogue on the second part: “I ain’t gonna” Dan whispers to Charlie (Stephen R. Hudis) and Steve (Steven Benedict). 

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, Long Hair and his gang of cattle rustlers have threatened to slit Dan’s throat if he tells Will Andersen (John Wayne) they are following the herd. Will Dan tell the others?

Which part is better? Part one as many redeeming qualities showing the older veteran cattle herder Will Anderson train the young boys the ways and dangers of a cowhand. However, part two is given the edge as the boys are faced to make drastic choices in order to protect themselves and the herd.

Academy Awards: None