Over the course of his 40-year career, John Wayne appeared in countless iconic movies, yet there is one Western from 1965 that deserves to be rediscovered in the modern day. Although Wayne is a household name today, the actor started out as a mere prop boy in the 1920s. During this era of silent film, he did behind-the-scenes work and took on background roles. This trend continued until the 1930s, when Wayne got his breakthrough in the legendary John Ford Western, Stage Coach. From there, Wayne’s popularity only grew. He became known for his Westerns and war movies.

So many decades after the peak of his career, Wayne is often remembered for a rather small handful of movies, despite the fact that he appeared in a total of 179 film and television projects. For the most part, audiences remember his biggest hits, such as The Searchers, True Grit, The Longest Day, and Rio Bravo. However, there are a number of Wayne films that are still worth remembering, even if they were not his most popular or successful. One movie, in particular, stands out for its incredible true story.

The Sons Of Katie Elder Is John Wayne’s Most Underrated Western

What Makes The Sons Of Katie Elder Worth Watching

One underrated Wayne movie that audiences should definitely watch if they have the chance is The Sons of Katie Elder. This 1965 movie is about four brothers who return to their Texas hometown for their mother’s funeral. While there, they discover that their father was murdered after gambling away the family’s ranch. Looking for vengeance, the brothers attempt to win back their ranch, and in the process, make enemies out of the local sheriff and a rival family. Wayne stars as the eldest brother, John Elder, alongside Dean Martin as Tom Elder.

Despite the fact that The Sons of Katie Elder is not Wayne’s best-known movie, it is still a masterclass in classic Western storytelling. Upon its release, critics and audiences were pleased with the film, praising its straight-forward plot, witty writing, and colorful set pieces. Wayne, in particular, earned compliments for his performance as the hardboiled gunslinger brother. All in all, The Sons of Katie Elder ticks just about every box when it comes to making a good Western. There’s action, violence, emotion, and plenty of entertainment value.

The Sons Of Katie Elder Is Partially Based On A True Story

How The Sons Of Katie Elder Compares To The True Story

Aside from being a good movie, The Sons of Katie Elder is also compelling because its story is based on real life. During the late 1800s, the real-life Marlow brothers often got into altercations with others that occasionally resulted in death, including that of a popular sheriff. The Marlows became notable in 1889 when three of them were chained together, being transported from one prison to another. In the night, a mob arrived to kill the brothers, yet the Marlows defended themselves. In chains, the Marlows managed to fend off a mᴀssive mob in a stunning display of skill.

For those who have seen The Sons of Katie Elder, it’s clear that the movie takes liberties with the real Wild West story. The Elders are depicted to be H๏τ-headed and dangerous men, prone to trouble, but their big fight does not occur due to their arrest. In the movie, the mob that attacks them is sent out by the rival Hastings family. Furthermore, The Sons of Katie Elder gives these fictional men a happier ending, as they eventually do right by their mother’s memory. The same cannot really be said for the real-life figures the Elders are based on.

John Wayne Himself Wasn’t Hugely Fond Of The Sons Of Katie Elder

Why More Audiences Should Watch The Sons Of Katie Elder (Despite Wayne’s Opinions)

The only dark spot that may mar The Sons of Katie Elder is Wayne’s own opinion on the film. In a sit-down with film critic Roger Ebert, Wayne explained that he disliked making the movie because he had just completed a cancer operation. He became frustrated by his own heavy breathing during filming, which others claimed they didn’t notice. Furthermore, Wayne was unhappy with how much director Henry Hathaway made him do during the production, such as jumping into ice water. Ultimately, Wayne had nothing bad to say about the content of the movie – just the act of making it.

In this way, regardless of Wayne’s infamous interview, audiences should still check out The Sons of Katie Elder. With a 100% of Rotten Tomatoes, it is a timeless and rousing Western adventure that harks back to Wild West history and showcases Wayne at a unique time in his career. This is the kind of underrated movie that really shows the level at which Wayne was working, even as an older man. All in all, The Sons of Katie Elder is worth remembering as one of John Wayne’s best movies.