The Cowboys | Through the Shattered Lens

Bruce Dern has made so many great movies that it was pretty tough for me to pick out just 4 shots from 4 films. I ended up picking out the movies that he’s been in that have affected me the most personally, for a variety of reasons. I’ve noticed that Bruce isn’t the “star” of these movies, but each film benefits greatly from his presence. While he has had his share of starring roles over the course of his 6-decade (and counting) career, many of his best performances have come in supporting roles. The man just makes everything he’s in better.

Today, I celebrate the work of a living legend, Bruce Dern!

cracked rear viewer

THE COWBOYS is not just another ‘John Wayne Movie’ from the latter part of his career. Not by a long shot. Duke had read the script and coveted the part of Wil Andersen, who’s forced to hire a bunch of wet behind the ears adolescents for a 400 mile cattle drive across the rugged Montana territory. Director Mark Rydell wanted George C. Scott for the role, but when John Wayne set his sights on something, he usually got what he wanted. The two men were at polar opposites of the political spectrum, and the Sanford Meisner-trained Rydell and Old Hollywood Wayne were expected to clash. They didn’t; putting their differences aside, they collaborated and cooperated to make one of the best Westerns of the 70’s.