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The Cowboys
(Mark Rydell, 1972)
Always considered a great movie star but not necessarily a great actor, I've been very impressed with some of Wayne's later performances. Unlike modern aging icons like DeNiro and Pacino, who did their best work early in their careers but are now stuck in autopilot mode, The Duke seemed to discover a new reservoir of talent during the twilight of his career. He never ceased to be a tough son of a bitch, but there's a vulnerability in some of these later performances, most likely birthed from the knowledge of his own mortality, that makes these later roles feel more human than the invincible heroes he traditionally played. The Shootist was a perfect swan song, but The Cowboys would've been equally fitting. It's easy to view this film, where Wayne reluctantly takes a group of schoolboys on a grueling cattle drive, as Wayne passing on his legacy to a younger generation. The Cowboys is an antithesis to the revisionist westerns that were popular at the time. It celebrates the western myth and the old way of life. The script is full of the tough, terse, straight-shooting dialogue that I enjoy so much in westerns. The story is compelling. The film is full of excitement and adventure with a little humor sprinkled in along the way. The stunning cinematography captures the exquisite beauty of the wide-open landscapes. I remember reading an interview with Bruce Dern a couple of years where he said that his villainous turn in The Cowboys nearly ruined his career. Even though that interview spoiled a key moment in the film, that scene remained just as shocking to me when I watched it unfold. There are some things you just don't do The Duke, and this is one of them. For the brief remainder of the film things are subdued and a bit too rushed. Dern is excellent, though. He's not a villain who intimidates you with his strength or prowess, but through the blackness of his soul -- the type of man who will stoop to any depths to achieve what he wants. Roscoe Lee Brown also gives a very good performance in a supporting role as the mirthful cook. The Cowboys is a terrific film. Even people who aren't typically fans of the genre should be able to enjoy this one.
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(Mark Rydell, 1972)
Always considered a great movie star but not necessarily a great actor, I've been very impressed with some of Wayne's later performances. Unlike modern aging icons like DeNiro and Pacino, who did their best work early in their careers but are now stuck in autopilot mode, The Duke seemed to discover a new reservoir of talent during the twilight of his career. He never ceased to be a tough son of a bitch, but there's a vulnerability in some of these later performances, most likely birthed from the knowledge of his own mortality, that makes these later roles feel more human than the invincible heroes he traditionally played. The Shootist was a perfect swan song, but The Cowboys would've been equally fitting. It's easy to view this film, where Wayne reluctantly takes a group of schoolboys on a grueling cattle drive, as Wayne passing on his legacy to a younger generation. The Cowboys is an antithesis to the revisionist westerns that were popular at the time. It celebrates the western myth and the old way of life. The script is full of the tough, terse, straight-shooting dialogue that I enjoy so much in westerns. The story is compelling. The film is full of excitement and adventure with a little humor sprinkled in along the way. The stunning cinematography captures the exquisite beauty of the wide-open landscapes. I remember reading an interview with Bruce Dern a couple of years where he said that his villainous turn in The Cowboys nearly ruined his career. Even though that interview spoiled a key moment in the film, that scene remained just as shocking to me when I watched it unfold. There are some things you just don't do The Duke, and this is one of them. For the brief remainder of the film things are subdued and a bit too rushed. Dern is excellent, though. He's not a villain who intimidates you with his strength or prowess, but through the blackness of his soul -- the type of man who will stoop to any depths to achieve what he wants. Roscoe Lee Brown also gives a very good performance in a supporting role as the mirthful cook. The Cowboys is a terrific film. Even people who aren't typically fans of the genre should be able to enjoy this one.
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Never heard of this, so I'll add it to my watchlist now and hope to get round to it in the future 
And Daniel, seeing your list of moves of Wayne you do enjoy, this could, very well, be added to that list
