This movie was the inspiration for the television series Wagon Train.
The Los Angeles Times calls it "The most laid-back and unpretentious of epics". IndieWire opens by saying, "One of John Ford’s personal favorites among his films, Wagon Master (1950) is a film of modest ambition and enormous charm." Chicago Reader concludes with this: "A masterpiece beyond question—but a masterpiece that never degenerates into pomposity or self-consciousness. It's American filmmaking at its finest and most eloquent."
DVD Talk says,
a simple and heartfelt cowboys 'n' settlers story with a gentle touch; Ford produced it himself and avoided having a big star so make the experience as pleasant as possible. Here's where we find out what kind of film John Ford makes when he has his way ... If you like "pure" westerns that showcase good horse riding and other cowboy skills, Wagon Master is a must-see title.Empire Online calls it "utterly delightful, lyrical". Time Out says it's "A moral fable, but with a refreshing lack of rhetoric to its poetry." Rotten Tomatoes has an average critics score of 100%.
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I love Ben Johnson. My favorite character of his is Tyree.
ReplyDeleteHis career was remarkable -an authentic cowboy who could also act. He had a long career worked up until his death. I always enjoy watching him :)
DeleteIt sounds like a good movie.
ReplyDeleteI thought so. A basic Western.
DeleteOh gosh, that is an old film. One of these days I will sit down and watch one of your films....
ReplyDeleteI haven't had time to read you Arthur C Clarke short story either. But as you know I have my lovely mum with me and she is nearly blind so we can't watch movies.
Have a great weekend,
Lisca
It's a joy to have visitors you can share fond memories with. I know y'all are having fun :)
DeleteWhat's not to like ... I love westerns and John Ford always captures such beauty in his films, then there's the cast with Ben Johnson - perfect 😀. Happy Friday and Weekend! Jo x
ReplyDeleteYes, John Ford is always reason enough to watch a film, and his choice of a cast that didn't have a "star" name is interesting. He was thoughtful in his planning.
DeleteI don't recognize this name but I know when I was a kid my dad and I watched lots of westers-both TV shows and movies. SO even if I haven't seen it it brings back nice memories of spending time with my dad, which is a perfect though around Father's Day. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen this one. There are so _many_ old westerns we'll never be able to see them all lol My mother and daddy liked those western tv series, too :)
DeleteIt's ironic that when I was a child, I imagined I was on a wagon train and pretended, too. It was fun to fantasize about traveling across the plains, skirting the Rockies, etc. When I turned about 10 or 11, I decided that life was not for me, and I haven't been a fan of westerns since then. I can't pinpoint what specific thing caused me to change my mind, but I no longer wanted to live in, be reminded of, or even watch films about the old west. It's funny how our minds work sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI've always known I'd never want to live the Old West life. But I'd never want to live the life of many of the movies I watch ;)
DeleteI love movies like this-thanks
ReplyDeleteThere's something that appeals to me about those traditional Western films.
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