The War Wagon

source: The War Wagon

Trailer—The War Wagon

The War Wagon

John Wayne seeks to avenge himself against big-shot Bruce Cabot, after the nasty mining company owner had him shot, run off his land, his goldmine stolen, and railroaded into prison. He assembles a team consisting of gunman/safe-cracker Kirk Douglas (the man who shot him!), drunken explosives expert Robert Walker Jr., sardonic Indian Howard Keel, and crazy old Keenan Wynn in order to take Cabot's iron-clad monstrosity and it's $500,000 cargo. Fast, funny, and full of action, The War Wagon is incredible entertainment. Wayne and Douglas are in fine form and make quite a team, heading a great, colorful cast. Director Burt Kennedy does a fine job of keeping the action rolling along nicely and the unpretentious, tongue-in-cheek script by Clair Huffaker has just the right amount of comedy without letting things turn silly. The exciting climax is quite a ride for action-lovers. Recommended.

John Wayne plays a man released from prison looking to steal a gold shipment from crooked Bruce Cabot, who set Wayne up to go to prison so Cabot could steal his land. He gathers together a gang to help pull off the robbery, starting with old nemesis Kirk Douglas. They've got their work cut out for them, though. Cabot transports his gold via the War Wagon, an armored wagon with Gatling guns. Duke and Kirk have nice chemistry and banter. Good support from Keenan Wynn, Howard Keel, and Robert Walker, Jr. Keel is lots of fun. Joanna Barnes and Valora Noland provide the pretty. It's an enjoyable western with a few twist and turns. It goes on a little too long and there are no classic scenes or lines. An enjoyable watch but one of the best from either star.

Former prisoner Taw Jackson (John Wayne) has returned to town. Frank Pierce (Bruce Cabot) sends his man Hammond (Bruce Dern) to offer Lomax (Kirk Douglas) $10k to kill him. Pierce had Jackson falsely imprisoned before and stole his ranch when gold was discovered. Lomax was the man who shot him but this time Jackson offers Lomax $100k to rob a gold shipment on Pierce's War Wagon, an armored stage coach. They rescue Levi Walking Bear from Mexican bandits. Lomax recruits drunken explosive expert Billy Hyatt. With an inside man and Indian warriors, Jackson aims to take back what was his. This is a no-brainer western. Wayne and Douglas together make a compelling duo. The recruitment is a little messy and the actual robbery needs to be bigger. There is a lot of talk of explosives but it's hardly used in the robbery. It's an old fashion western and a fun watch for the most part.

The chemistry between John Wayne and Kirk Douglas really came through. Howard Keel was very good as an Indian trying to move with the times. Great photography of the scenery around Durango, Mexico. Should be considered a John Wayne classic.