Why The Cowboys Is Said to be Among the Most Accurate Wild West Movies
Michael Grauer, an Old West historian and cowboy, said John Wayne's 1972 Western film, The Cowboys, is his favorite and the most historically accurate portrayal of the Wild West. Under direction by Mark Rydell, the movie centers on John Wayne's grizzled veteran rancher Wil Andersen, who finds himself short of seasoned cowhands. Desperate, he gathers a group of inexperienced schoolboys to accompany him on a cattle drive to market—a trip fraught with risks including a gang of rustlers headed by the sly Asa Watts (Bruce Dern).
The Cowboys: An Interpretive Story of Cowboys and Schoolboys
The Cowboys center on the unusual idea of Wil Andersen using young boys as his trailhands. The movie shows Andersen teaching these inexperienced cowboys and highlights their struggles along the way. Michael Grauer claims that this quality quite closely reflects historical reality. According to his evaluation, the way the boys' training and obstacles during the cattle drive are portrayed adds to the realism of the movie.
Examining The Cowboys' Accuracy
Michael Grauer notes the film's accuracy, but one can argue about The Cowboys' historical authenticity. Although the movie shows the taxing nature of cattle drives, the historical reality demanded experienced cowhands adept in herding, roping, and surviving hostile environments. Though dramatic, the concept of young boys doing such a difficult work could distort historical accuracy. One further wonders about the way Asa Watts, the villain, is portrayed. Though banditry and lawlessness were common in the Wild West, Westerns' portrayal of villains often accentuates these aspects for dramatic impact.
Reception of The Cowboys and the Romanticized Wild West
Popularly known for their romanticized portrayals of the Old West, Western Movies have had great appeal. Still, some movies have surprisingly aimed for historical accuracy. Michael Grauer hailed the Cowboys, but others had conflicting opinions. Although the movie has a great 80% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 15 reviews, critics like Roger Ebert questioned its accuracy, saying the last 30 minutes "unlikely" and "totally contrived." Grauer's assertions notwithstanding notwithstanding historical accuracy of The Cowboys is still up for discussion.
The Cowboys: An Unconventional Classic
In essence, The Cowboys is a controversial classic even if Michael Grauer praises its historical accuracy. Its portrayal of young boys assuming the demanding role of cowboy and its increased representation of villainous characters begs issues about its actual historical accuracy. The Cowboys, which capture the essence of the Wild West and have a long-lasting influence on the cinematic scene, are evidence of the continuing attraction of Western Movies notwithstanding the controversy.
