Great Film overall

Excellent but underrated film

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

A couple of horse traders end up shepherding a group of Mormon homesteaders (and an errant "hoochie coochie show") across the desert to the San Juan River in Utah but trouble starts when they are joined by a gang of murderous bank robbers on the run from a posse. Unusual for a John Ford western, there is no 'big name star' (like Wayne or Fonda); the cast is primarily made of Ford's regular stock company. Ben Johnson is excellent as the affable and easy-going Travis Blue, as is Harry Carey, Jr. as Blue's younger, more emotive, sidekick Sandy Owens, and Ward Bond has fun with his role as a blustering but (barely) reformed sinner who has found Mormonism. The 'bad guys' are also excellent, with Charles Kemper as menacingly avuncular Shiloh Clegg and a hulking James Arness, Fred Libby and Mickey Simpson as his murderous nephews Floyd, Reese and Jesse. The fifth member of the gang, Luke, is played by Hank Worden as frighteningly 'off-kilter' and almost childlike (Wordon played the memorable "Mose" in Ford's masterpiece, "The Searchers", 1956). The film moves at a leisurely pace with more focus on the characters than on action and avoids (or disrupts) many of the standard Western elements, especially the pre-eminence of 'the gun'. The emphasis on pacifism (the Mormons are unarmed and neither of the 'heroes' are notable gunman) is unusual for the genre. Even the encounter with plains Indians is peaceful (the Navajo's preference for Mormons over 'white-men' in general is priceless). As always, Ford's Monument Valley cinematography is outstanding, and combined with a good story, excellent acting (especially by Johnson), fine horse work, and memorable characters, makes this one of Ford's best Westerns.

This movie is a typical John Ford effort, which is a good thing. It's main difference is that it doesn't have a dominant starring leading man.Here's what I liked:Ben Johnson is great in this. He should have gotten more work, especially with Ford. I forget when, but they had a big falling out not long after they made this movie. Johnson wouldn't tolerate Ford's abusive behavior and walked off a set. Ford never hired him again. What a shame. He's the best thing about this movie.I just love the little unique world Ford creates in his movies. Yes, it's all a little hokie, but somehow he pulls it off. There's always a special warmth and humanity to Ford's films you just don't see anywhere else.The heavy is very well played by Charles Kemper (who sadly died in a car accident soon after the film was released). Just as good are his evil brood of four dim witted sons, including an interesting early role by James Arness.Great stunt work with the horses and wagons.Almost all of the rest of the supporting cast is excellent. Nice to see Alan Mowbray reprise his drunken thespian character from "My Darling Clementine". Joann Dru is growing on me. Even Harry Carey Jr., who is normally annoying, is good in this.The Indians are well handled. Nice little bit about how dancing can bring different types of people together. Once again the evidence of Ford's movies contradicts complaints about his alleged racism.Here's what was not so good:Ward Bond is absurdly miscast as a Mormon spiritual leader. This must have been a joke by Ford, who was Bond's carousing drinking buddy in real life."Town" Westerns are OK in black and white. It's just no good for desert landscapes.There's just not much to the plot. "Mormons on wagon train. Heavies ride along and threaten them. They kill heavies."

This is a great Western drama, John Ford's lusty successor to 'Fort Apache' and 'She wore yellow ribbon'. Two drifters named Travis Blue (Ben Johnson ) and Sandy Owens (Harry Carey Jr ) are hired by leaders of a Mormons congregation (Ward Bond, Russell Simpson) as wagon masters of an expedition toward Utah frontier. They must guide a religious caravan throughout a dangerous rout formerly initiated by Brigham Young from Illinois-Utah. Along the way they meet a trio of drunks (Alan Mowbray, Joanne Dru) and some bandits(Charles Kemper, James Arness, Hank Worden) who are compared to snakes . Meanwhile Travis falls in love with Denver and the wagon train heading for the promised land.This classic picture ranks as one of the best of John Ford's work. It contains Ford's usual themes as a community decided to build the civilization on a virgin territory, friendship and comradeship among people and ample shots while wagons run over prairies and mountains filmed at Monument Valley and Professor Valley. Interesting screenplay by Frank S Nugent and Patrick Ford, booth of whom are John Ford's habitual. Excellent starring cast as Ben Johnson - formerly remembered as the sergeant in 'she wore a yellow ribbon' , here his first main role and years later achieved the best supporting actor Academy Award for 'The last Picture Show' -, he is awesome as roaming cowhand who join a congregation migrating West. Good cinematography by Bert Glennon and Archie Stout reflecting splendidly marvelous outdoors. Emotive score by Richard Hageman with wonderful songs by Stan Jones played by Sons of Pioneers. The movie is stunningly produced by Merian C Cooper - Argosy Pictures Production- and magnificently filmed by Ford with direction assistant by Cliff Lyons. Inspired the later successful TV series titled 'Wagon train' starred by Ward Bond and some episode directed by Ford. Avoid a horrible version shown in computer-colored. Rating : Very good, better than average.

although i liked this Western,i do have to say,it's not one of my favourite John Ford Westerns.for me,it just lacks a certain something that most of his other films(the ones i have seen anyway)possess)i'm nit sure what that something is.it's not something tangible.anyway,the gist of the story is about a Mormon wagon train which is being used by a band of outlaws as a hideout from a pursuing posse.Ford employs a lot of his regulars here.there are some interesting characters,some nice scenery,a bit of action,and excitement.it all adds up to a watchable experience.it's certainly not boring.just not quite up to the usual John Ford standard.for me,Wagon Master is a 7/10