Westward the Women (1951)

Good movie but grossly overrated

Good concept, poorly executed.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This has been my favorite movie from the first time I saw it as a kid. When Videos first came about, I sought this on lists of new releases as often as I came across such lists. When It finally did come out, I had one VHS in color and one in B&W. I can't tell how many times I've seen this gem, but I do believe I have the lines all memorized, and I "know" the ladies. It has become a perfect back- ground movie for me.In fact, when my sister and I first saw this in the early 60's, we loved the "I can't pay the rent" joke so much that we've shared it all of our lives. When my children finally saw the movie (in VHS), they were excited to see Ito tell this joke that they'd heard their whole lives.Even having read everyone else's reviews, I still don't see any failings in the movie. It's great escapism! I can tell you of some "flaws" (crossing tire tracks in the desert scenes, for example), but to me, they're just charming fingerprints left by the director. My only problems are that I want more! I wanted to stay with the women as they developed the town...to see Patience and her husband be leading citizens, to watch Fifi throw pans at Buck, and to watch Rose Meyers dear husband help her raise her son.I'd love to see someone remake this great movie--but only if they are true to the intentions--and allow us to continue to share their western lives. It would be terrible, however, if they spoiled it with 21st Century trashiness. Time to go watch it, again. :)

Between 1930 and 1960, 97% of all movies (that's 14729239520520 films) were westerns--or so it would seem. And, sadly, almost all of them have one of about five different plots and variations on these plots. Because of this, I really have very little patience with the genre--though I must admit that I have reviewed quite a few westerns. The ones I like are often ones that are somehow a bit better--despite the familiar plots, fine acting and direction make them watchable. Rarely, very rarely, do I see one that not only has fine acting, direction AND a novel plot--and all that is in "Westward the Women".The film begins in a remote part of the old west--so remote that there are no women for all the men. Because of this, the men hire a tough trail boss (Robert Taylor) to recruit the women and bring them toa small outpost. The problem, however, is that the only way is a long trek across the prairie--through Indian land and desert. These women sure have to be tough--otherwise they'll never make it. And, in fact, unlike any other western I can think of, many of the women DON'T.What also makes this a very good film are the nice little characters within the film. So it's NOT just a Robert Taylor film but excels because of the fine ensemble cast. One of the standouts is Hope Emerson--a brawny actress who made a name for herself playing gangsters and other scary characters.Overall, there's not a lot to dislike about the film and it's a nice little story about American history you don't normally hear. Worth seeing and a top-notch production--with a real lump-in-your-throat ending. Sweet, sentimental and exciting.

I know this film has some problems with continuity, but some of it is in the effort to keep the film a reasonable length. However, it does paint a picture of what people, especially women, endured on the long treks to the West. While the subject is rather serious, there are many incidents of humor, and pathos. I have wanted a copy of this film for a long time; I recently purchased a used VHS tape at twice the price of most new DVDs. If it were produced on DVD, I would buy one. Westward the Women was one of the first colorized movies, so, a DVD containing both the original black & white version and the colorized version would be a great idea!

This movie was excellent. I have owned it on VHS for many years, and have watched it over and over again. I am going to have to order it again, because I am afraid it is going to wear out and I don't want to be without it. The characters were excellent and it most likely captured the hardships that women faced on wagon trains during that era. It is an exciting and moving film from beginning to end. Westerns have always been my favorites and this one is my favorite by far. I own many black/white movies on VHS and now many of them are available on DVD. I am currently updating my collection to DVD's as they are available. I agree with John from New Mexico and it is now available on DVD. Dorothy from Beckley, WV