The Way West (1967)

Director:

Andrew V. McLaglen

Writers:

A.B. Guthrie Jr. (novel)
Ben Maddow (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

24 May 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

In the mid-19th century, Senator William J. Tadlock leads a group of settlers overland in a quest to start a new settlement in the Western US...

Plot Keywords:

Wagon Train | Missouri | Oregon | Murder | Stabbing

Cast

Kirk Douglas	...	Sen. William J. Tadlock
Robert Mitchum	...	Dick Summers
Richard Widmark	...	Lije Evans
Lola Albright	...	Rebecca 'Becky' Evans
Sally Field	...	Mercy McBee
Katherine Justice	...	Amanda Mack
Jack Elam	...	Preacher Weatherby
Stubby Kaye	...	Sam Fairman
Michael McGreevey	...	Brownie Evans
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Mr. McBee (as Harry Carey)
Connie Sawyer	...	Mrs. McBee
Michael Witney	...	Johnnie Mack
William Lundigan	...	Michael Moynihan
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Mrs. Fairman (as Elizabeth Fraser)
John Mitchum	...	Little Henry

Also Known As:

Harold Hecht's The Way West (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (as De Luxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Norway:12 | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Bend, Oregon, USA

Company:

Harold Hecht Productions

Trivia:

There was a minor helicopter crash on the set.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Kirk Douglas' revolver was first made in 1860 or later. The time line of the period is 1843. He would have been using a percussion single Shot US Model 1842 or at best a civilian Patterson Colt with no trigger guard and especially, no side barrel extractor tube.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[Mercy flirts silently with Brownie]
Lije Evans: Best not be lookin', Brownie.
Brownie Evans: I ain't lookin'... as hard as I can.

Soundtrack:

The Way West

Larger than life western which succeeds

This is what you call a sprawling western with a vast array of big name stars, scenery, action, and characterization. There is never a dull moment. Its got tons of adventure and action mixed with important character points along the way. Widmark was best when he got away from his sadistic bad guy roles. Here, he plays a reluctant hero, and to be honest, the parts were well written and directed. The actors added their talent, and the results are a larger than life spectacular show. Douglas is very believable as the man who begins good and descends into a horrible human being. The way different characters handle revenge is stunningly poignant. The chief who lost his son could easily wipe out the whole band, but his love of justice makes his unseen presence totally visible. A monumental bit of writing to do this, to make such a character who practically never appears for all intents and purposes. The scenery is vivid and spell binding. Mitchum's role is one that any actor would covet, and he handles it with aplomb. Sally Field plays maybe her best role ever. he movie is never mentioned by critics, but is the unsung hero of westerns, and a great example of how superior they were before 1970.