Fugitive bank robbers Robert (John Wayne), William (Harry Carey Jr.) and Pedro (Pedro Armendáriz) stand at a desert grave. Caring for the newborn infant of the woman they just buried will ruin any chance of escape. But they won't go back on their promise to her. They won't abandon little Robert William Pedro. Director John Ford's Western retelling of the Biblical Three Wise Men tale remains a scenic and thematic masterpiece. Ford adds color to his feature-film palette, capturing stunning vistas via cinematographer Winton C. Hoch, who would win two of his three Academy Awards for Ford films. Again, populist-minded Ford asserts that even men of dissolute character can follow that inner star of Bethlehem to their own redemption.
This film was first telecast in Minneapolis Wednesday 3 April 1957 on KMGM (Channel 9), followed by Chicago 14 April 1957 on WBBM (Channel 2), by Hartford CT 23 April 1957 on WHCT (Channel 18), by Philadelphia 3 May 1957 on WFIL (Channel 6), by New Haven CT 10 May 1957 on WNHC (Channel 8), by Tucson 23 May 1957 on KVOA (Channel 4), by Norfolk VA 19 July 1957 on WTAR (Channel 13), by Phoenix 25 July 1957 on KPHO (Channel 5), by Honolulu 8 August 1957 on KHVH (Channel 13), by New York City 4 September 1957 on WCBS (Channel 2), by Syracuse 13 September 1957 on WHEN (Channel 8), by Miami 19 October 1957 on WCKT (Channel 7), by Altoona PA 16 November 1957 on WFBG (Channel 10), by Binghamton NY 30 November 1957 on WNBF (Channel 12), by Los Angeles 20 December 1957 on KTTV (Channel 11) and, finally, by San Francisco 9 May 1958 on Channel 7 (KGO). At this time, color broadcasting was in its infancy, limited to only a small number of high rated programs, primarily on NBC and NBC affiliated stations, so these film showings were all still in B&W. Viewers were not offered the opportunity to see these films in their original Technicolor until several years later. See more »
Goofs
When Ben Johnston is standing in the buckboard when the sheriff and 3 deputies use it to chase the 3 bank robbers out of town, he has one leg behind him bracing himself to stay standing while the horses gallop. There is a strap secured to the tray of the buckboard and he has the toe of his boot wedged in it to help keep his balance. See more »
I'm surprised this one doesn't get more accolades. To me it's really one of the best westerns ever made. This is one of those films that proves that the western genre can produce true art. The filming, the performances -- this is one of Wayne's best it's quite overlooked that this guy could act: The desperation, the confusion, the exhaustion, it's all just amazing.
It's more of a character study than anything else, with the characters facing desperate thirst, an aching empty land, relentless sun, and the movie shows how these men deal with it, all the while they are attempting to care for a child. Something they are ill equipped to do.
There are clear religious elements to the movie, and they make this all the more compelling -- these are not good men, but they have a sense of honor and faith, in their own way. They can't break their word to a dying woman, to care for her child. Their faith in each other is touching.
It's gritty, yet very tender, a strange juxtaposition, like the beauty and cruelty of the desert.
See the movie if you can.
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I'm surprised this one doesn't get more accolades. To me it's really one of the best westerns ever made. This is one of those films that proves that the western genre can produce true art. The filming, the performances -- this is one of Wayne's best it's quite overlooked that this guy could act: The desperation, the confusion, the exhaustion, it's all just amazing.
It's more of a character study than anything else, with the characters facing desperate thirst, an aching empty land, relentless sun, and the movie shows how these men deal with it, all the while they are attempting to care for a child. Something they are ill equipped to do.
There are clear religious elements to the movie, and they make this all the more compelling -- these are not good men, but they have a sense of honor and faith, in their own way. They can't break their word to a dying woman, to care for her child. Their faith in each other is touching.
It's gritty, yet very tender, a strange juxtaposition, like the beauty and cruelty of the desert.
See the movie if you can.