User Reviews

this is(a far as i can tell)the third version of the classic movie first directed in 1939 by John Ford and starring John Wayne.i haven't seen the second film(1966)so i can't comment on that one.this 1986 version though,i can comment on.in my mind,it doesn't come near to the original,which is a classic,and one of the best movies i have seen.this version has in many of the starring roles,Country and western singers of the era,including Willie Nelson,Waylon Jennings,Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.also in the cast are John Schneider(TV's Dukes of Hazard),June Carter Cash,Jessi Colter(wife of Waylon Jennings),and Mary Crosby(TV's Dallas)the movie was an entertaining diversion,but the acting was underwhelming.The only decent performance of the bunch came from Kristofferson.most of the dialogue wasn't that great,either,including a lot of one or two word conversations.and what was up with Mary Crosby and those lips,which looked like she'd had an allergic reaction to peanuts or shellfish,or something.either way,it looked stupid.the movie was also slow,with not much happening of any consequence,and almost zero character development.when it was over,i was indifferent to it.it's nothing memorable and will probably have faded from my mind in a day or so.still,if you have nothing better to do,it passes about 90 minutes or so.for me Stagecoach(1986)is a 6/10

The iconic characters of Ernest Haycox's Stage To Lordsburg is given yet another remake with four country/western legends in the cast. Kris Kristofferson is the Ringo Kid, with Johnny Cash as the US Marshal, Willie Nelson is Doc Holiday, and Waylon Jennings as the gambler Hatfield. It's not the desert poetical version that John Ford made, but this can hold its own.

As you can see the doctor on the trip is the famous true life Doc Holiday instead of the inebriated former Union Army surgeon that Thomas Mitchell won an Oscar playing in the first version. There are other plot changes as well.

However without the showdown of Ringo Kid with Luke Plummer and the Apache attack on the moving coach this would not be Stagecoach and rest assured it is most definitely included. They are staged well if different from the 1939 and 1966 versions.

Others in the cast are John Schneider as the driver and he's not the comic figure that Andy Devine was. Anthony Newley is the whiskey salesman and Anthony Franciosa is the banker Gatewood who makes a very sudden decision to travel just as in the original.

The women are Elizabeth Ashley as Dallas the saloon girl and Mary Crosby plays the pregnant army captain's wife Mrs. Mallory. Her father Bing Crosby was Doc Boone in the 1966 remake.

The quartet of legends makes this one really work.

Some movies just shouldn't be remade. Gone With the Wind, Casablanca . . . and Stagecoach. For some reason, though, Hollywood can't keep its hands off it. It was remade (badly) in 1966, and this one is even worse. It looks like a bunch of wannabe cowboys with some money decided they could make a western better than John Ford could (Willie Nelson was the executive producer of this), and they couldn't possibly have been more wrong. Everything, absolutely EVERYTHING, about this movie is pathetic. Ted Post is normally a first-rate director, especially of westerns (he did most of the "Rawhide" series with Clint Eastwood), but he either had a really bad day, or (what seems to be more likely) everyone in the cast simply ignored what he told them; there doesn't appear to be any discipline at all in this film. Everybody keeps trying to out-ham everyone else, or they're either so laid-back they're practically comatose. The photography isn't particularly good, the editing is horrendous, the scenery around Old Tucson (where this was shot) is completely wasted . . . and on and on. A really sad waste of time and money. Skip it.

This version of Stagecoach is a lesser version of 1939 John Ford classic. But greater than the 60's remake starring Bing Crosby and Anne-Margret.

The Highwaymen and few other stars. Took a shot at actually acting. Now they didn't quit their day jobs. But Kris and Willie did have silver screen experience. This doesn't make this made for TV movie any worse. If you have time to kill and are fans of the Waylon, Willie, Kris or Johnny.

While watching this film, I was really wanting to enjoy the experience. All my favorite country singers were assembled into a cast that would make any fan of music quiver with anticipation. But soon into the film it was obvious that the quiver turned into shivers as most of the acting was low-quality.

The idea for the story was actually a nice idea. But what was missing was someone that could write a teleplay that would bring the idea to life and make the story interesting. In this movie, nothing seemed to gel. The writing was weak and the words delivered by people that really were not actors.

Johnny Cash, who is one of my all time favorite singers, was stiff as a board and seemed to be reading the lines with little, if any, emotion. Willie Nelson was nearly shameful playing Doc Holliday and having him deliver a baby was absolutely embarrassing and painful to watch. Throw in Waylon Jennings that seemed mortified to be on camera and you have a cast that brings nothing to the table. With the weak script and the poor acting- this movie never had a chance.

I will credit Kris Kristofferson, John Schneider and Elizabeth Ashley with their acting ability as they are the bright spots in this dismal cast. Even Anthony Newley and Mary Crosby did a nice job with their character but it was not enough to help the unfortunate situation.

It was a movie I so wanted to enjoy but felt uncomfortable the entire time. Not sure anything could have helped this troubled project.

The original 'Stagecoach' from 1939 is to me a timeless classic and one of the finest westerns ever made. The 1966 film was a fair one, very much inferior and uneven and one questions the point of it but at the same time it had several big pluses to make it watchable.

Admittedly, when hearing of this 1986 film expectations were very low. As talented as these country and western stars are, the whole concept just screamed of one big gimmick that could easily have gone disastrously wrong. That it had a limited budget too further added to the intrepidation, which had potential to severely diminish the western atmosphere, which ideally should have excitement and tension which was likely not to happen with low-budget.

Seeing it, and judging it on its own merits, 'Stagecoach' (1986) turned out to be not as bad as expected with some serviceable things. As feared though, it is even more uneven than the 1966 version, has more (and bigger) flaws, it is a little gimmicky somewhat and even on its own merits many people (myself included) are likely to question the point of it or find any reason for it to be made in the first place.

Certainly, there are some good things. Things do pick up in the second half, where the pace is given a sharper kick and more happens while the build up to the climax and the climax itself are exciting and suspenseful. The soundtrack is infectious and a lot of fun, while the costumes suit the western genre well. Some of the performances are good. Anthony Newley clearly is enjoying himself in his brief appearance, while Tony Franciosa does his nervous act well, John Schneider is handsome and charismatic enough, Mary Crosby allures and Kris Kristofferson while not as charismatic as John Wayne has far more presence and likability (also appropriately stoic) than the wooden and vacuous Alex Cord.

However, Johnny Cash is somewhat stiff while both Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings look uncomfortable, Jennings actually looks as though he didn't want to be there and Nelson clearly had no idea how to portray the character. Elizabeth Ashley looks pained throughout too, exposing a limited acting ability, lack of experience and lack of connection with her character (which is admittedly not an interesting one in the first place).

Furthering hindering the film are in particular a long-winded and drawn-out script that veers on the preachy at times. The direction is pedestrian, aimless even in the first half and failing to inject any urgency until late into the film. The story lacks the fun and tension of especially the 1939 film, and lacks the necessary grit too making everything feel bland. It also really struggles to come to life in the first half, although improving in the climax and its build up. The limitations in budget hurt 'Stagecoach' (1986) also, with a choppy and drab look that was crying out for more majestic sweep and the production design looking like it was constructed in haste. This is sad because the scenery is actually quite nice.

On the whole, definitely could have been much worse but just didn't see the point. Interesting to see so many country and western stars together, who are very talented at what they do in their own way, but some fare significantly better than others while others flounder. 4/10 Bethany Cox

I think too many people are reviewing this as if it was a legitimate effort to remake the original. I believe this was an opportunity to get several greats On screen at the same time. When are you ever gonna see Willie ,Waylon, Johnny and Chris together? Their interaction and Believe it or not, some acting ability was very enjoyable to watch .

This film begins with several passengers boarding a stagecoach in Tonto, Arizona which is heading east to Lordsburg, New Mexico. As they begin their journey they are told that Geronimo and his Apaches are on the warpath and that the stagecoach is possibly headed right into that general vicinity. Although this news causes some concern to the passengers they all agree to proceed as they each have important matters to attend to at their final destination. However, to make matters even more complicated, one of the female passengers by the name of "Mrs. Lucy Mallory" (Mary Crosby) is pregnant and due to have the baby at any time. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this remake of the 1939 classic is notable for having several Country-Western singers to include , Waylon Jennings (as the gambler named "Hatfield"), Willie Nelson ("Doc Holliday"), Johnny Cash ("Marshal Curly Wilcox"), Kris Kristofferson ("the Ringo Kid"), June Carter ("Mrs. Pickett) , and Jessi Coulter ("Martha"). Somewhat surprisingly, they all performed rather well with Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash probably standing out the most. In any case, while this film might not be quite as good as the original, it was still enjoyable enough and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

I loved this movie. A LOT of my favorite people in this show. Waylon Jennings, Jonny Cash, John Schneider, Kris Kristofferson just to name a few. LOVED THIS MOVIE wish I could find it on DVD.

With great country stars like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Krisofferson, and Waylon Jennings; not to mention June Carter Cash and not having one good song makes about as much sense as Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise hosting the Grand Old Opera. The only one of the four who can really act is Willie. If it would have been more like "Red Headed Stranger," with a few songs like "Red man don't take my scalp," "Forty miles to water," or "My butt gets sore in this old stagecoach," would have helped. This remake of the great, classic, John Ford original was a total failure. Mostly for the reason given above. I believe a great movie cannot be remade. This is proof.

Stagecoach (1986)

** (out of 4)

Made-for-TV remake of John Ford's classic 1939 film is pretty lifeless from start to finish but fans of country music (or at least the actors here) will find some mild entertainment to be had. Willie Nelson (Doc Holliday), Kris Kristopherson (Ringo Kid), Johnny Cash (Marshal Curly Wilcox) and Waylon Jennings (Hatfield) lead the stagecoach into Apache territory where Geronimo is wanting some scalps. I'm somewhat shocked that they even bothered calling this STAGECOACH as it owes very little to the John Ford film. Sure, the entire set up is the same but it seems this film was more interesting in dialogue than any sort of action or drama. I think a lot of people will hate this movie with a passion or turn it off at the half way point unless they're fans of the cast and if that's the case they'll probably be able to make it through simply on their charm. I've always found Cash to be a fairly good actor (see THE GUNFIGHT with Kirk Douglas) and he clearly steals the film with his down to earth qualities that really come off quite charming. I think he fit the role perfectly well and there's not a second where you see Johnny Cash but instead you see the character. Kristopherson also comes off pretty well as he should since he's the most credited member of the cast. Nelson, as Doc Holliday, isn't going to go down as one of the greatest to ever play the role but he's not too bad and he does manage to get a few laughs with that dry sense of humor. Jennings doesn't get as good of a role but he's not too bad either. Fans of the Ford film really shouldn't compare the two movies as they're clearly both trying to do something different. This film here just wants to be fun and the cast delivers that but I think the screenplay is still full of holes and I have to wonder why they waited until the very end of a 100-minute movie to throw in some action. I think the film would have been better had some been sprinkled in towards the start of the film. With that said, country music fans will certainly want to see these legends acting together in one film and we even get the title song sung by Nelson. Look fast for other country folks including June Carter Cash and David Allan Coe.

A forgettable adaptation for TV in 1986 by Ted Post with Willie Nelson , Kris Kristofferson , Johnny Cash , Elizabeth Ashley , Mary Crosby , Tony Franciosa , and John Schneider . Inferior remake with interesting character studio , functional performances and glimmer cinematography from desert lands plenty of cactus . Unnecessary remake to the considered to be first adult Western , ¨Stagecoach¨ by John Ford that changed the course of the modern Western turning into intellectual Western and dealing with a motley crew of roles in a cross-country coach beset by Indians and thieves ; as on board are the followings : an outlaw , a doctor , a banker , a coward swank , a cavalry man's pregnant wife , a gambler , among others . The movie takes place in 1880 in a voyage throughout Arizona , in which a varied group of characters with nothing in common are stuck together inside a coach , they form a strange assortment of individuals , such as : a prostitute with a broken heart (Elizabeth Ashley in classic rendition interpreted by Claire Trevor) , the old John's Whiskey Salesman (Anthony Newley) , a crooked card-player (Waylon Jennings as Hatfield , the Gambler , previously performed by John Carradine) turned into protector to pregnant young wife (Mary Crosby) , a swindler banker (Tony Franciosa , previously by Barton Churchill) , a sympathetic coach driver (John Schneider) , the famous Doc Hollyday (Willie Nelson) , Ringo Kid (Kris Kristofferson , priorly by John Wayne) , an outlaw looking to revenge killings and a sheriff (Johnny Cash , formerly performed by George Bancroft) taking in his prisoner . The motley crew pull off a journey through Indian territory passing Apache Wells and towards Lordsburg . All of them riding to greatness across 2,000 miles of flaming frontier . At the beginning they're protected by a military detachment commanded by a brave lieutenant . The stagecoach is besieged by Apaches and several dangers.....

The plot is plain and simple , as the story follows a stagecoach ride through Old West Apache territory , portraying in depth characters and brooding events with allegorical issues running beneath surface . This so-so and old-style TV western written/produced/played by Willie Nelson as well as score composer ; being redeemed by its decent main stars and supporting cast . As protagonists , the notorious Country singers : Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson recorded several albums as The Highwaymen . Based on the story 'Stage to Lordsburg' by Ernest Haycox and this one based on Guy De Mauspassant's novel . Acceptable main cast and secondary cast , passable edition , regular cinematography by Gary Craver and atmospheric musical score make it an average film , and very far from original . Shot on location in Sonoran Desert, Old Tucson and Sierrita Mountains , Arizona . The motion picture was middlingly directed by Ted Post , with no originality . Post gives a slow and some dull direction . He's a Western expert , in fact his best movie is still a Western called ¨The legend of Tom Rooley¨ . Besides , he directed Clint Eastwood many times , starting working on Eastwood's television Western series, ¨Rawhide¨. When Eastwood returned to America after his successful Sergio Leone movies , he called for Post who directed him in Western ¨Hang'Em high¨ and the second entry Dirty Harry pictures : ¨Magnum Force¨. Ted Post also directed notable Sci Fi : Beneath of the planet of apes , Harrard experiment and horror movies : The Baby , Dr Cook's garden .

The original ¨Stagecoach¨ is a very superior rendition in 1939 by John Ford , being perfectly played by excellently assembled actors : Claire Trevor , George Bancroft , Louise Platt , Tom Tyler , Tim Holt and Thomas Mitchell who deservedly won Academy Award for secondary actor , and of course , John Wayne , who arose his career languishing in Poverty Row and being first pairing of Ford and Wayne . And stunningly shot by John Ford in the mythical Monumental Valley , capturing its particular air , a place that Ford was often to revisit and he befriended Indians tribes . Besides , ¨Stagecoach¨ (1966) by Gordon Douglas with Alex Cord , Anne Margret , Slim Pickens , Red Buttons and Bing Crosby , Mary Crosby's father .

Willie, Waylon, Johnny, and Kris play tough old west gunslingers who are on a coach in injun territory. This is a tale that has been told and re-told a thousand times. Nothing new here, but it may be a hoot for country fans to watch their heroes do a western. Not too bad acting out of the singers, except for Waylon. A cigar store indian is less wooden than he was. I guess the best thing about the film was that none of the gunslinging heros broke into song. Honestly though folks, Willie Nelson as Doc Holiday?

This story from the pen of Ernest Haycox with his short story "Stage to Lordsburg" has been put on the screen a number of times both as theatrical and TV movies and as episodes of TV shows. This version starring the "Highwaymen", Cash, Kristofferson, Jennings and Nelson is not the worst of the remakes. Johnny Cash is competent as the marshall and Kris Kristofferson is good as the Ringo Kid. Classics should not be remade. That being said this is a fair crack at redoing a classic, director Post knows his stuff. I revisited this version after enduring the horrible 1966 remake with the stellar cast of Ann Margaret, Bing Crosby et al. If you need to while away some time this is not an unpleasant film. Desimac.

The acting is fine. The scenery is great. The plot is famous. The directing is good. The country music is fantastic. And if you can't watch Willy, Waylon, Kris, Johnny, and a great cast you should stick with the Hollywood crowd cause you don't understand fine movies by legendary entertainers of several skills. Personally, I love all these guys and they made a thousand movies I'd watch them all.

Despite its all star cast, the movie drags. Sometimes it is better not to do a remake of a movie. This third remake of the original classic is one of them. John Ford's 1939 is by far the better movie.

Sorry I'm one of those sad people that loves this film because of it's cheesiness. I adore "The Outlaws" and sometimes that's enough. This is the third version f this film that I have seen and even though I am a huge John Wayne fan, his version loses out by being made so long ago. It was one of those movies I tend to forget when listing my favourites. Then there was Alex Cord (Archangel from Airwolf), blessed with Bing Crosby as Doc Holliday and Ann Margret as "Dallas" that one had some great points. I appreciate that Kris is a bit old to be a "Kid" but hey the whole cast is getting on a bit. This film is a must for those who enjoyed the old Kenny Rogers series "The Gambler", well that was me....actually probably only me.

When the movie was first made virtually the entire cast was very familiar and it was difficult to see the people as their characters since they were so famous. Now that time has passed I watched it again and found it very enjoyable. The movie is a remake of the John Wayne classic and when it came out that version was still being played on TV and was popular on DVDs. Since then a flood of other movies have come out and made that one a little more distant. I love the John Wayne-John Ford version and this one sticks pretty close to that story but with the "Highwaymen" taking 4 of the lead roles. It's a really interesting cast with lots of family and friends popping in for small parts.

The basic story of a group of people wanting to get across a piece of country where Apaches have been raiding. They have different reasons revenge, wanting to repay old debts, escaping from the law, running from the past, etc.

There are changes from the original as the doctor (Willie Nelson) is now Doc Holiday rather than the town drunk. The gambler (Waylon Jennings) is openly a card shark with a very shady past rather than the rigid southern gentleman.

The stagecoach crew has to contend with many problems and the story never lags. There is a nice "Hollywood ending" but that was fine with me.

If you feel like sitting back and enjoying a modern "B" western this is a good one. It's a throwback to the old TV Westerns like Gunsmoke and does a very good job of it!!

Come on man! Dukes of Hazzard teams up with the Highwaymen. Combined with the Cash family picnic. I love them all on stage but please don't try and follow the " Duke!"