Some points of overview

I consider THE COWBOYS one of my alltime favorite films, but I had not seen it for maybe a year or 2 until I watched my tape last week. There are a few points I will mention that watching it brought back, and perhaps some will stir discussion on this board.

First, John Wayne IS a good actor. It's largely true that John Wayne movies, at least from the mid or late 50's onward, are all about John Wayne, not the *particular* character he plays. McClintock, Rooster Cogburn, Big Jake .... they are all about the man who has been rough in talk and walk, and mock, if necessary, who took advantage of what American offered and has little patience with those who don't do the same. But the Wil Andersen he plays here is a good variation of that character. He has made his own way as a rancher, obviously through a lot of danger and hardship over many years, and when his hands see an unlikely get-rich-quick plan they prove they are disloyal, so he tells them to "Get the hell off my spread-- now!" But he shows he is also a haunted man as he stands by the graves of his 2 sons, and it is then and there, by his face, that we know he has chosen to give the boys from the local school a chance; a chance to prove their worth in a job they are determined to try while they don't have the maturity, as well as giving himself another chance in being the father figure. Of course, in remaining true to the rough character, he denies any fatherly affection for the boys... until he lays dying, another variation from his portrayal of 'his' character, except for the final and symbolic "The Shootist."

Next point, although I don't want to dwell on it, is that I got a copy of the novel several years ago, and expectedly Hollywood changes, simplifies, and cleans up the original work. One notable difference from the movie is that Wil's wife is feisty, much more outspoken, and actually resentful that she will have to cook for the boys while they are rounding up and cutting the herd. In the movie she says "I don't mind-- I like the sound of boys." And then the parents play a greater role in questioning Wil's wisdom in taking their boys on a trail drive; so Wil has a difficult time convincing them that this arrangement will work, when he himself is even less certain than they are. And Charlie Schwartz is handicapped but still picks fights-- in the book it is he, not 'Slim,' that jumps Cimmaron-- and he is willing to do anything to not be left out. "Longhair," never otherwise named in the novel, appears in the town and becomes known to Andersen as a dangerous scumbag; he doesn't come looking for work. When the boys meet the brothel, Nightlinger arranges for them to be serviced; in the movie it's quite the opposite. Finally, in the novel the rustlers do capture Weedy, but instead of him just getting a few bruises, they tie him to a stake and burn his feet, and after he rejoins his friends he can't walk.

I had never paid much attention before, but in watching the movie it was intersting to notice the 'silent' cowboy, Steve. Played by Steve Benedict, I don't think he ever says a word of dialogue, which seems unusual since he is one of the 2 biggest ones; the other is Slim, then later joined by a third, Cimmaron. He and Cimmaron are the ones nighthawking when the others steal the bottle of whisky, or else we might hear from him then. Maybe his lines were just the victims of film editing, but it seems strange he doesn't talk.

When Mr. Nightlinger enters the bunkhouse where he will spend the first night with 10 boys as companions, this seems a ridiculous scene to include. They are taken with him as "the first *beep* we ever saw," but then he tells them a crazy story to make them afraid of him. Later, he never becomes buddies with them, but in the tradition of trail cooks he does become 'like mama and papa;' besides feeding them, he gives medicines, gets them and up and to sleep, et al. In that bunkhouse scene, it's hard to tell whether he was establishing this relationship by letting them know he's not to be defied, or if he is trying to destroy it and cancel the whole deal he has gotten himself into. And the fact that he speaks better English than anyone else in the movie, except maybe schoolmarm (as little as we see of her), is indicative of contradictions; so maybe it's not surprising that he does in the end mastermind the plan to get the herd back and take care of the rustlers.

Which is the final point here. There is not much really unbelievable about the progress of events until this final act. Although I could name dozens of reasons their "plan" wouldn't work, they are easy to see, so we can leave it at that. But if there is a need to resolve the great crime and have the "good guys" not only win but be heroic as they prevail, it's hard to think of a better idea for the resolution.