Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Western about reputation and corruption; violence, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Sons of Katie Elder
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER, four brothers return to the town of Clearwater for their mother's funeral. While there, the circumstances of their father's death and land loss suggest foul play. Eldest brother John (John Wayne) leads the investigation to find out what happened, but his gunslinger reputation causes problems along the way.
Is It Any Good?
Made at the end of Hollywood's golden age of Westerns, this 1965 offering is a classic example of the genre. In The Sons of Katie Elder, Wayne plays the rogue John Elder with a calm and kind strength, while Dean Martin shines as a charismatic conman. The four estranged brothers are varied siblings and bond believably over the course of their adventure. The movie's murderous villain, Morgan Hastings (James Gregory), is equally as formidable and the townsfolk who choose sides are all great characters in their own right. The violence is mild and the characters' intentions are always clear, so it makes for a good family movie that can spark discussions about the choices we make.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the characters' choices in The Sons of Katie Elder. Which characters were acting selfishly and causing harm to others? Were these the same ones who had a "bad" reputation?
How did the film compare to other Westerns you've seen? If the film was to be made today, how might it be different? Did you find the lack of diversity and female representation problematic? Why representation matters in kids' media.
Talk about the perseverance, courage, and integrity the brothers showed. Why are these important character strengths?
Talk about the violence in the film. Is a certain level of violence expected in Westerns? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
How was drinking and smoking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? How has our behavior when it comes to drinking and smoking changed from when the movie was set and filmed?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 24, 1965
- On DVD or streaming : June 5, 2001
- Cast : John Wayne , Dean Martin , George Kennedy
- Director : Henry Hathaway
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Western
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 122 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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