The Sons of Katie Elder is a 1965 Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring John Wayne as John Elder, with Dean Martin, Earl Holliman, and Michael Anderson Jr. portraying his brothers. The movie begins with the funeral of their mother Katie Elder, and the four brothers reunite after years of being separated. John Elder, the eldest of the siblings, is a legendary gunfighter who has a reputation for being quick on the draw and for his willingness to take on any challenge. His brothers, Tom (Dean Martin), Bud (Michael Anderson Jr.), and Matt (Earl Holliman), are more peaceful men who just want to honor their mother's memory by regaining the family ranch.
However, they soon learn that their father had lost the ranch in a card game to Morgan Hastings (James Gregory), the town's powerful gunsmith. Hastings murdered their father in cold blood, and the brothers begin to investigate the circumstances surrounding their father's death. They discover that Hastings and his corrupt deputies are responsible for numerous illegal activities, including whiskey smuggling and blackmail, and are willing to do anything to keep their hold on the town.
As the tension between the Elder brothers and Hastings and his henchmen grows, John Elder must use his skills as a gunslinger to defend his family and set things right. The final showdown between John Elder and the corrupt sheriff takes place in a dramatic shootout in the town's main street.
The Sons of Katie Elder is a classic Western that explores themes of brotherhood, revenge, and justice. John Wayne delivers a powerful performance as John Elder, a man haunted by his past but determined to protect his family and clear his father's name. The film's action sequences, including a memorable bar fight, horseback chases, and the final shootout, are well executed and keep the audience on the edge of their seats.