The Sons of Katie Elder
Four estranged brothers reunite in a Texas frontier town to reclaim their family ranch and answer the murder of their father.
Overview
A tale of vengeance and brotherhood unfolds in the heart of Texas.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- rugged
- laconic
- witty
- classic western night
- john wayne marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a lean, traditional, well-crafted western elevated by John Wayne's rugged performance, strong color photography, action, and brotherly chemistry.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John, Tom, Matt, and Bud must overcome sibling rivalries while investigating their father's death and reclaiming the family ranch.
The Elder brothers investigate murder and challenge the gunsmith and his hired muscle after the town submits to their power.
The film uses a straight-moving plot, authentic western settings, rugged heroes, gunfights, and laconic dialogue in an explicitly traditional mode.
Contemporary criticism specifically praised the excellent color and authentic settings supporting the film's menace and action.
Films like The Sons of Katie Elder, and why
Rio Bravo
classic western action, rugged gunfighter hero, family loyalty, and revenge against a corrupt local power
El Dorado
old-fashioned western violence, charismatic male ensemble, and a protagonist confronting a threatening town authority
The Bravados
brotherhood, revenge, frontier justice, and a laconic action-western tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Henry Hathaway
- Release Date
- 1965-06-24
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (314)
Cast
- John Wayne
- Dean Martin
- Martha Hyer
- Michael Anderson Jr.
- Earl Holliman
- Jeremy Slate
- James Gregory
- Paul Fix
- George Kennedy
- Dennis Hopper
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Sons of Katie Elder about?
- Four estranged brothers reunite in a Texas frontier town to reclaim their family ranch and answer the murder of their father.
- What is The Sons of Katie Elder like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Sons of Katie Elder as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Sons of Katie Elder violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Sons of Katie Elder as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Sons of Katie Elder?
- Critics broadly regard it as a lean, traditional, well-crafted western elevated by John Wayne's rugged performance, strong color photography, action, and brotherly chemistry.
- Which films are like The Sons of Katie Elder?
- Films with a similar feel include Rio Bravo, El Dorado, and The Bravados.
- How long is The Sons of Katie Elder?
- The Sons of Katie Elder runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Sons of Katie Elder?
- In United States, The Sons of Katie Elder streams on Philo, MGM Plus.
