How the West Was Won (1962) is a movie that I recently watched on HBOMAX. The storyline follows a young married couple and their adventure to the west where they plan to settle and start a family. They encounter numerous challenges over time from actually settling, to the gold rush, the Civil War and ultimately the railroad coming through. We watch as the family evolves throughout the various circumstances.
This movie is codirected by John Ford (Stagecoach), Henry Hathaway (True Grit) and George Marshall (Dark Purpose) and stars James Stewart (Rope), John Wayne (True Grit), Gregory Peck (Roman Holiday), Henry Fonda (12 Angry Men), Carroll Baker (Baby Doll), Lee J. Cobb (On the Waterfront) and Carolyn Jones (The Addams Family).
The settings, props, attire and cast for this movie were well put together. The storyline is interesting with some fun circumstances. There is an entertaining rafting scene and magnificently shot cattle and Buffalo stampedes that were entertaining. The acting was inconsistent with some scenes being stiff and rigid causing them to feel less authentic than others; however, the cameos throughout the film were a lot of fun. The family dynamic was easy to root for and well delivered.
Overall, this is an entertaining addition to the western genre that's far from perfect but has some worthwhile elements. I would score this a solid 7/10 and strongly recommend it.
This movie is codirected by John Ford (Stagecoach), Henry Hathaway (True Grit) and George Marshall (Dark Purpose) and stars James Stewart (Rope), John Wayne (True Grit), Gregory Peck (Roman Holiday), Henry Fonda (12 Angry Men), Carroll Baker (Baby Doll), Lee J. Cobb (On the Waterfront) and Carolyn Jones (The Addams Family).
The settings, props, attire and cast for this movie were well put together. The storyline is interesting with some fun circumstances. There is an entertaining rafting scene and magnificently shot cattle and Buffalo stampedes that were entertaining. The acting was inconsistent with some scenes being stiff and rigid causing them to feel less authentic than others; however, the cameos throughout the film were a lot of fun. The family dynamic was easy to root for and well delivered.
Overall, this is an entertaining addition to the western genre that's far from perfect but has some worthwhile elements. I would score this a solid 7/10 and strongly recommend it.