Review of How the West Was Won (1962) by Stephen C — 08 Jan 2014
They really dont make them like this epic anymore and despite a slow start this really is a great western.
The film does have a story as we follow the trails and tribulations of the Prescott family who become part of American History as the Wild west begins to take shape.
Three directors have a hand in crafting the story dealing as it does with the Wild Rivers,Wagon Trains ,The Civil War ,The Railroad and Outlaws.
Of all the sequences in the film its the last two which really kick into high gear with buffalo stampedes and an excilting train robbery sequence with George Peppard battling with Eli Wallachs bad guy.
The cast is of course stellar with appearances from the Likes of John Wayne,Henry Fonda and James Stewart.
Spencer Tracy adds quality narration and yyou can see that the 15 million dollars was well spent bringing this film to the screen.
Of the directors its Henry Hathaway who brings the most out of The Cinerama scope ,although I would have loved to see more of John Fords Civil war section as it was all too brief.
A huge epic in places then but amid all the scope there is some detail in the story.
This review of How the West Was Won (1962) was written by Stephen C on 08 Jan 2014.
How the West Was Won has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
