# The Cowboys (1972)

> A stern rancher turns a group of schoolboys into cattle drivers as ruthless rustlers shadow their dangerous journey to market.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/9317

## Facts

- Runtime: 134 min
- Genres: Western, Adventure, Drama, Action
- Director: Mark Rydell
- Cast: John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Browne, Bruce Dern, Colleen Dewhurst, Alfred Barker Jr., Nicolas Beauvy, Steve Benedict, Robert Carradine
- TMDB rating: 7.1/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068421/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: moderate
- Mood: earnest, adventurous, tense, classic western night, frontier adventure marathon

## Synopsis

A rancher faces the ultimate test of leadership and courage as he trains a group of boys to drive cattle.

## Movies like The Cowboys

- [The Searchers (1956)](https://ember.film/movie/2063)
- [Red River (1948)](https://ember.film/movie/2041)
- [The Violent Men (1955)](https://ember.film/movie/41719)
- [Big Jake (1971)](https://ember.film/movie/13031)
- [Cheyenne Autumn (1964)](https://ember.film/movie/25865)
- [True Grit (1969)](https://ember.film/movie/10539)
- [Cahill: United States Marshal (1973)](https://ember.film/movie/19081)
- [The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)](https://ember.film/movie/9789)
- [The Horse Soldiers (1959)](https://ember.film/movie/10631)
- [The Far Country (1954)](https://ember.film/movie/11296)

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