MovieChat Forums > The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) Discussion > Highly underrated movie

Highly underrated movie

posted 17 years ago by Aticusfinch
11 replies | jump to latest

I just bought the DVD recently and saw the movie again. I´m very surprised about the low rating. I think the movie is really admirable for its purity; a classic western that delivers and entertaining, enjoyable story with characters you immediately can identify with. It has some really great cinematic moments, like the first time we see John Elder-John Wayne or the closing shot on the rocking chair. And without being speechy or intelectual it reflects on the fact that people have a stronger influence on our actions when they arte dead than when they were alive. At least it deserves an 8.

[–] marmac2768 17 years ago

I agree! I bought this DVD in a twin pack with The Shootist. It is the classic John Wayne movie, good guys and bad guys, clearly defined. Dean Martin is also excellent in this movie, playing the lovable sly gambler, "ner do well" brother! This movie deserves at least an "8" easily!!

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[–] doug_323 17 years ago

I've loved this movie since I was really young and it has always been my favourite Wayne movie. I have always been surprised by the fact that it has never been all that well received by the critics. I agree that it is a highly underrated movie and that Wayne delivers a powerful performance. I have always found John Elder to be one of his more admirable characters, simply for the fact that because of certain circumstances he finds himself seeking to protect his brothers and family name. He really gets the big brother role down pat, which is probably what I loved most.

[–] richsass 15 years ago

Totally agree this is one of Wayne's best Westerns. Great chemistry with Dean Martin.

What are you gonna do? Kill me? Every body Dies. John Garfield (Body and Soul)

[–] harro (474) 3 years ago

I agree that it does seem to be a very underrated in terms of John Wayne movies. Maybe it's the slightly unwieldy title that doesn't roll of the tongue which doesn't help it's cause. But it had so much else going for it with the star power of Dean Martin, George Kennedy, a young Dennis Hopper and a good story.

[–] ATG6 (3000) a year ago

The acting was great (except for the youngest Elder brother), with menace building throughout, some moral messages about family, and heroes who weren't so squeaky clean, trying to do things the right way for their dear, departed mother. The script wasn't as black and white, good vs. evil as people say either, with a few guys of conscience (like the gung-ho deputy and the Dennis Hopper character) caught in the middle and having to choose sides and question their choices. I suspect the rating is low because it takes so long to get to the action. But it's a great pay-off if you wait.

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 3 years ago

Probably my favorite John Wayne film. I haven't seen a ton of his films, maybe a dozen or so and I haven't yet seen one I didn't like. He had a rare natural screen presence.

[–] SandyR (7345) 3 years ago

I wonder how many of the Duke's movies are unfairly judged because of the constant harping by the left about what a terrible racist (who apparently set aside his racist feelings long enough to marry a Mexican woman) he supposedly was.