Wagon Master (1950)

Fresh and Exciting

Captivating movie !

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

WAGON MASTER has been justly praised as one of director John Ford's most poetic films, with its vivid evocation of a lost world of a wagon train traveling west in the late nineteenth century, carrying a group of Mormons led by Elder Wiggs (Ward Bond) and guided by two horse-traders (Ben Johnson, Harry Carey jnr.)In view of its release-date (1950), however, it is possible to see the film as a lament for a lost world of community, where people of different interests learn to co-exist with one another: the horse- traders set aside their buccaneering lifestyles and agree to guide the Mormons, while the Mormons offer them their hospitality in return. The only possible threat to the survival of this community is Uncle Shiloh Clegg (Charles Kemper), who initially agrees to travel with them, yet ends up holding the Mormons and the horse- traders at gunpoint. Although pretending to be friendly, it's clear he's not someone to be trusted. This notion was something very much on the public agenda in the early Fifties, at the time of the anticommunist purges: no one could be trusted anymore. WAGON MASTER makes much the same point, and further suggests that those who appear to be the most friendly turn out to be the most dangerous.Ford emphasizes the importance of community not only through the screenplay, but through the musical score (by Richard Hageman) and the songs, which evoke a prelapsarian world in which people's first loyalty is to their God and their fellow human beings rather than themselves. Although leading a very precarious life, subject to attack by various forces, including questioning by an over-zealous Marshal (Cliff Lyons), the train keeps resolutely to its chosen path and eventually reaches its own particular El Dorado. The implication is clear: faith (that inspires people to embrace the frontier myth and proceed westwards) brings its own rewards.The film has a clutch of memorable performances, ranging from Bond's comically splenetic Elder, perpetually trying to stop himself from cursing, to Jane Darwell's Sister Ledyard, who is always willing to offer succor in the form of words and/or food to anyone in trouble. Perhaps WAGON MASTER is not one of Ford's most celebrated films, but it is nonetheless a little gem.

An underrated western by John Ford, "Wagon Master" watches as a group of Mormons trek their way toward Utah. They're led by Travis Blue (Ben Johnson) and Sandy Owens (Harry Carey), a pair of horsemen who know the terrain well.As he does in "Drums Along the Mohawk", Ford sculpts "Master" into a giant statement on "what it means to be American". In this regard, Americans are portrayed as bands of ostracised folk who are "pushed out of town" and who must learn to "survive in the wilderness". Here a nation's endurance depends on ordinary folk learning to work together, reconcile disparate agendas, and deal tactfully with other cultures, groups and persons of an "unscrupulous disposition". For all its nods to consensus building, however, and despite its positive portrayal of American Indians (reversing the stance of Ford's "Mohawk"), the film ultimately defers to the law of the bullet; drift too far outside the community, and you will be shot.At its best, "Master" indulges in a number of beautifully relaxed, low-key sequences. These scenes watch as new communities are built, pioneering spirits mesh and different groups (Mormons, criminals, Indians, horse traders, lawmen, prostitutes and show-people) come together. As a jovial myth, the film works well, but there's something dubious about the way Ford's cohesiveness depends on "Wagon Master's" violent opening scene, in which the film's villains announce themselves as bloodthirsty bogeymen.7.5/10 - Worth one viewing.

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.