The day that Katie Elder is buried, her four sons return home to Clearwater, Texas, to pay their last respects. It is a he-man story, as well as, a drama of the maternal influence of Katie Elder, her sacrifice, love and incredible valor. The hopes and aspirations for her sons are movingly communicated from beginning to conclusion.

With his bronco-busting career on its last legs, Junior Bonner heads to his hometown to try his luck in the annual rodeo. But his fond childhood memories are shattered when he finds his family torn apart by his greedy brother and hard-drinking father. Now Juior must break the wildest bull in the West to bring his family together for one final moment of cowboy glory.