I am one of those people that saw this movie and it changed my life. I was eleven years old, the youngest child from a messy broken marriage, introverted, a little sad and confused. I indulged in books and movies to escape a world that was not what I wanted to be. I also happened to big a huge John Wayne fan. I think that this is his best movie. It truly shows a tough yet tender and loving human being, a father, coping under extraordinary circumstances surrounded by children trying desperately to grow up. I watched it eleven times in the movie theater and asked the theater manager for the display poster which graced my bedroom wall until I left home at 21 years old. The story, the photography, the acting and cast. the beautiful score by John Williams (which merged Vivaldi with Western cowboy culture) - it was different. It struck a deep note with me. It moved me. I wanted to be one of those young boys growing up fast and becoming a man and riding horses and becoming a cowboy. I wanted John Wayne to be my father. I still watch this movie at least once a year and it still moves me to tears. Wonderful to see the cast and hear the wonderful stories. Great stuff! Also, I have heard that Tommy Lee Jones has as optioned to do a remake of The Cowboys - has any one heard this?

The Cowboys is the greatest western ever made.

Wow, I'm so stoked I stumbled onto this! I'm Australian, but the Duke was my hero as a kid, and The Cowboys really taught me a lot about being a man, responsibility, duty, honour etc. I'm 57 now, and I never thought I'd see these guys chatting.

All such gentlemen really, giving each other plenty of time to talk and the respect.

I was 15 when this came out. Growing up, I had three heroes. My father, who was the greatest man I ever knew.John Wayne and Richard Petty.

My favorite actor. And one of my favorite movies. John Wayne is "America" to me. Thank you for such a great film. My wife can't watch without crying. I love Mr. Wayne's fatherly loving of these boys.

Part of this movie was filmed in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. John Wayne stayed at my Uncle and Aunts motel there, so did a couple of other actors, this was such a WONDERFUL experience for our family, I will never forget you "KIDS"! I think we wore out 4 VHS movies watching this over and over. Great show!!! We miss you John!!! RIP. A. Gibson

i pity the younger generation they could not experience this great master piece

The overwhelming fact I got from this is how deeply these men were impacted by 16 weeks with Mr. Wayne. They have all lived long full lives since that brief period, but can instantly remember the events with Mr Wayne and the others that made a difference in how they lived their lives. I think that is a testament to this man. He made a difference. In an industry that is based on illusion, he made a real, tangible difference in the lives of these boys, who remember him with fondness and love, and respect. I don't know that it gets more real than that.

The Cowboys has always been my favorite John Wayne movie not simply b/c John Wayne was in it, but b/c of the wide ensemble of talent in the show including the "youngsters." It was a fantastic movie.

Too cool! I was eight years old when this came out and it's still my favorite John Wayne.

So glad A. Martinez mentions Collen Dewhurst and Roscoe Brown it made me smile. They were perfect and great in there roles. This movie came out when I was in 9th grade. I realize now how every son wants his fathers admiration so bad, some never got it except from John Wayne in this movie.

My family lived in Pagosa Springs Colorado at the time, my dad worked for the forest service and got to watch the final scene when the Duke died. My dad took a picture of the Duke and my brother and sister. My dad said John Wayne talked to him and said he was the nicest man he ever met. My dad said in that field of the final scene were the cowboys were looking for the place to put the head stone. There was a big black bear that went right out across that field. As a side note my cousin manages the ranch on Dallas Divide in Colorado were True Grit was filmed.

My husband sent me this, and I'm so glad he did. We both love John Wayne, and I always thought The Cowboys is a classic. It's so good to see some of the original actors, and the interviews were very interesting and enjoyable. Also, as a side note, sometimes I would think of this movie when I'm riding my horse, lol.

Loved this i loved john Wayne since i was 6 yrs old im 59 now

I grew up with John Wayne and he was my dads and my hero , we never missed a movie and couldn’t wait for the next one would come out .

Greatest memories of time spent with my own father include watching this movie - my father LOVED John Wayne and this helped me understand him in a way that was so special. Miss the Duke and miss my dad.❤

What an awesome interview with the actors. Thank you SO much for sharing.

Such an awesome interview!💛

Saw at the theater! Love this movie and it really disturbed me when he died in the movie, but it’s great seeing everyone, thanks!

One thing that’s so sad is John Wayne passed out I felt so bad. John Wayne is one of my favorite actors of all time. His Western movies were amazing. GODBLESS JOHN WAYNE.

I was 11 years old when this came out and man I loved it and still do! (Stephen) 😘

What a fantastic treat...to see the cast now as adults while still able to see the boys within. Loved the stories and the apparent friendships.

This is one of THE best movies ever made! Timeless!

Saw the movie last night after many years since last seeing it. I saw it the year it came out at a theater. Great movie. It was really cool seeing the kids all grown up

“Summers over”… one of my all time favorite movies. So great…

Watched all of this and I hated for it to end! Yong boys working with an icon. Have seen it many times and always had emotional moments just like the movie. Everyone did the job of acting. Thanks cowboy network for doing this😀

I'm in Texas and one year, who ever bought Dollor was the the Fort Woth Stock Show Parade. I walked out on the street and pet him. Xoxo Thank you for this interview.

One of my favorite movies!! I work on a Ranch. These guys were Awsome!!!❤

50 years ago, my father comes to a 9 year old me and says, “I’m taking you to a John Wayne movie.” Even then I knew it was a rite of passage. I knew there were kids around my age in the film, so I thought it would be entertaining. It wasn’t. It was an unexpected intense experience. And I loved every second. My father passed many years ago, but I always fondly remember seeing my first grown-up movie with him. However, to this day, Bruce Dern scares the ever loving crap out of me.

'We're gonna finish the job'...EPIC line!

I’ve got “The Cowboys” on DVD at home. Good times… 😎

Applause to The Cowboys. The reunion is a pleasure to watch. Your shared cast experiences with John Wayne when as boys 50 years later has a lot to say of how much we have appreciated his movies. How fortunate you found yourselves with the Duke and us to hear how he genuinely was himself as we saw him. Many of John Wayne movies are America's pride that the Duke was our country's actor. So many many John Wayne films, I have loved with scenes that were his personality ⭐ trademark. I miss him. "Time to go, we're loosing daylight...!" 🌅❤

BTW, i had no clue Maestro John Williams was the music of The Cowboys! I guess the best were always to show up for a John Wayne film! Way to go, Cowboys!!

As a young adult, I cried ugly when I read the book. I was an adult before I saw the movie and cried even harder. One of the few movies that I watch any chance I get.

Fantastic movie, one of John Wayne's best, but always hard for me to watch because I always end up crying at the end. My brothers and I grew up on John Wayne's movies, and i have dozens of favorites lol. I saw The Cowboys for the first time when i was about 13 y3ars old and naturally Bruce Dern scared the hell out of me. He's a fantastic actor and it's a true sign of his craft if he can stir emotions out of the audience! Loved being able to listen to the thoughts of the children, now grown men who got to work with such amazing actors!

Loved watching the conversation with the cast. When this movie came out, I was enamored with A. Martinez (he looked like a badass). I didn’t think the acting was as bad as he felt it was. Some great behind the scene stories - and I agree that the movie still holds up after all these years.

As a dad he was heartbroken over losing his own sons and saw this as a second chance to "get it right." 💜

I love John Wayne and all the movies he was in, my parents loved him as well and had great respect for him. The Cowboys, McKlintock, the Longest Day, and the Alamo were 4 of my favorite movies with John Wayne in them, they were powerful and very real for me and had an impact on my young life. They helped me realize that even though life has its hardships, it how one handles it that counts and that one can arise above it all by enduring and facing up to the challenges. How one lives through it with courage, compassion, and determination is what counts in the end. It helped give me confidence and courage to become the person I am today. RIP John Wayne, may your soul rest in Jesus’ loving arms, and your compassion and courage inspire others….👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😇🐴🇺🇸

I was 16 when I saw this movie in '72. It was the only movie I saw with my older brother, just the 2 of us. It's special to me.

Okay Ethan! My dad & your dad got in a fight! Literally physical fight! It’s a long story, but obviously John Wayne won! But, my dad adored & respected him the rest of his life! And I grew up hearing that story 😅

When I first saw this I was 11 and I was working with my stepdad on a ranch this movie was so powerful to me

LOVED AND STILL LOVE THE GREAT ACTOR AND TRUE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE PATRIOT IN THE DAYS WHEN HOLLYWOOD STILL ALLOWED "A FEW"! MISS HIM!

Another great John Wayne Movie! Fantastic western! Hard to believe it’s been 50 years!

Great Job Ethan. Thanks for honoring your father like this. I"M A BIG FAN OF JW!!

Just saw the movie for the first time yesterday, JW was my grandfather's favorite! So now me and my five kids are watching all the flicks. This was incredible. After the movie i went to KZfaq and searched The Cowboys Reunion. So glad this content is available ❤ they sure dont make 'em like they used to

In the summer of 1979, I was auditioning for a showcase production of one-act plays at the Hollywood Actors Theatre....and one of the actors in the show was Sean Michael Kelly....Stuttering Bob. Few people know that he was a popular working kid actor in the industry....Medical Center...Bonanza....Marcus Welby, MD.... A year later, I was working as a message taker at ActorFone West in Hollywood...and A. Martinez was one of our clients....got a lot of audition calls...

The Cowboys is my Favorite John Wayne Movie. Every Movie that he is in is Great! Didn’t Cimmaron also Star in Quiny M.E.? Just an Overall Great Cast. Every Cast Member. John Wayne, L. Roscoe Brown, and Bruce Dern. What some Incredible Actors. The Movie could not have been Accomplished without the right Actors playing the Right Cowboys. It all fell together with the right Everything, and has Stood the Test of Time. I will say this. It’s not only my Favorite John Wayne Movie, it’s among One of My Most Favorite Movies!

Never forget this day getting to be in Ft Worth at the meet and greet meeting each one of the Cowboys now all grown up.

John Wayne helped make me the Man I am today. Thanks for the memories.

"She wore a Yellow Ribbon", "The Shootist", and "The Cowboys" are my favorite John Wayne movies.

I love the cowboys John Wayne is a legend for ever very cool interview . 👍👏🏜

Really appreciate this reunion., they rarely make movies like this anymore., thanks

One of the all time great JW movies. Showed his wonderful vulnerability toward these at one time boys. Excellent video w these folks to hear them reminisce!

Anytime I hear that classical piece being played somewhere I say, "Ooooh, The Cowboys." I'm then corrected by someone saying, it's Vivaldi. I respond, "NO, The Cowboys!!"

As John Wayne aged, he became the every man.

I’m told my dad taught John Wayne’s son how to dig clams while in British Columbia on a Moose hunt. This was my very first John Wayne Movie I remember. Love this movie.

I wish Clay O had made this interview. Got to meet him several times at team ropings. He was still a kid back then & I couldn’t believe he was an ‘actor’. We had so much fun. He’s still out there ropin, so guess he was busy & didn’t make this. As the youngest cowboy, it would of been cool to hear him speak again about making this great movie.

I was 19 when this movie came out, took my girlfriend to the drive in to see it, she jumped in the back seat and said well, c’mon but I said no, this is John Wayne!!

I enjoyed hearing all the stories. Now, to watch the movie again!

I loved this movie!

I remember 1972 I was 15 yrs old loved the cowboys movie and i have always loved JW the kids acting was awesome. is great see them all together again. The boys was nice looking boys to. still is.

Best cowboy movie ever. Every boy should be so lucky.

"🤠My Heros have always been Cowboys🤠 " Rest in Peace dear Sir John Wayne🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 -Gone but Never Forgotten❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

So cool to see them together.

I just turned 44 a few days ago, and have been a fan of Duke, since a was a little bitty feller. I was practically raised by my grandparents, and I can remember that every Sunday afternoon, after church, Westerns came on and were on all afternoon. I think they came on PBS. Not positive, but I think so. Me and my Papaw would sit there and watch them together. He loved Duke. So I have always associated him with my Papaw. Papaw was a big 6'4 WW2 veteran and Golden Gloves boxer. So when I watch Duke, who was 6'4 too, I always see my Papaw. and it brings back all those great childhood memories. I lost him when I was 18, and some days I really start thinking about and missing him. So all I have to do, is pop in my favorite Duke films like "The Searchers", "McClintock" "The Cowboys", etc., and cant help but smile, thinking about when I get to see Papaw and Mamaw again. It's going to be a great reunion, and I wouldnt be suprised if Duke and Papaw, are there having a funny conversation. If they are, I'm just going to be there, with my mouth shut and ears open. After seeing Jesus, and reuniting with my family members, there are two people, that arent family, that I want to meet. Those two, are Elvis Presley, and of course a guy named Marion Morrison. I'm so proud of how Ethan, along with his brothers and sisters, have honored their father's legacy, and helped so many people with cancer. I know Duke is proud of them.

Texting you all from Spearfish sd 10 miles from bell foush sd I was raised there as a kid and I m honored to say still today and till my last breath each of you that played in that movie molded me into the true to life cowboy I am and will remain to be until my last and final breath....honored by you all and thank you so much for your part in my life......Darryn

George C Scott could not have made the part that John Wayne did.

I remember when we were in High School Rodeo, they invited kids that were in Rodeo to audition for the movie.

Also I believe this is John Williams greatest work in my opinion, thanks

Iloved that movie,boys were so cute👍❤

John Ford once said it was easier to turn a cowboy into an actor than to turn an actor into a cowboy.

Went to see this at the theater when it first came. I was 14 years old. About the same age as the kids in the movie. I liked it so much I went back the next weekend and saw it again. Only movie I ever went to see two times. Still my favorite western and one of my all-time favorite movies.

I remember seeing The Cowboys when I was a kid at the local drive in. It was a double feature after Charleton Heston's The Omega Man. But, I have to say, my FAVORITE John Wayne move is hands down Hatari. I was a photographer all my life and it made me realize I wanted to work with animals professionally. It just seemed like such a great way to make a living. Though I didn't get to work in a zoo, I've worked horses all mu life. I'm still a photographer

Bob Carradine also stared in the classic Big Red One.

Ethan, my dad passed away from cancer (that has metasastised to his brain). Till the end the only thing that could ease him and calm him was seeing John Wayne in TV. Rio Bravo and The Searchers were his favourite (he reminded him of his own father!). And mind you we are Greeks that don't have any connection BUT my grandad was a horse doctor/taker so......

Watching "The Cowboys" now on GRIT. For the 3rd time. "Slap some bacon on a biscuit, and let's go, We're burning daylight." Great movie

I saw this movie at the show when I was a kid and was SHOCKED, that someone could kill John Wayne! GREAT MOVIE GREAT CAST!

The Cowboys, great film, great interview.

Fifty years ago , all of these cast members were all afraid of Bruce Dern and even John Wayne felt uncomfortable working with him. Bruce has always played his roles the ultimate bad guy.

Perfect movie for me and my friends to see when we were ten or eleven . After the movie we all wanted to be cowboys! Being from Long Island, that wasn’t gonna happen! Still one of my favorite movies! Bruce Deron scared the crap out of me!

Thank you for sharing, truly fun to watch. Love john Wayne movies. And really believe the Cowboys was a Oscar worthy movie.

Robert's dad John Carradine starred with Wayne in 1939s stagecoach. Shame Bruce Dern didn't make an appearance, he truly was one scary villain.

It has stood the test of time

Thanks for doing this, very entertaining.

Thank you for sharing.

My favorite John Wayne movie!!!

Thank you so much for taking me back to an amazing place where without even knowing it the Duke saved the world some how every day.and Eathone how did it feel to ask your dad if he was your grandpa.wow.what a great job in that movie. All the Wayne's wow.

Parts Filmed on my Uncle Bill's ranch in Pagosa Springs, CO.

Great movie... great panel. Thx!

I seen it when it first came out and I have on CD.

Really good stories !!!

Thank you for this fantastic interview. John Wayne was an amazing actor and the best part about his acting was that he never appeared to be acting his part. I enjoyed this movie very much. I do believe that John Wayne should’ve received more awards for his acting abilities than he did which doesn’t say much for the those who do the choosing.

its a good movie I remember it well..

Great movie,I shaped my views early on,thankyou

The best Film of the great Jhon Wayne from Chile

Why I would love to see some kind of sequel of the movie The Cowboys.

My three favorite John Wayne movies are The Cowboys, Big Jake and True Grit, and like Elvis, John Wayne speaks America when you see him.

❤❤❤❤❤Love this,I think nearly every girl in my class in school had huge crush on Slim and the other cow boys..🐎🐃🐄

Proud to make the first comment. Thank you for this video.