Review of Paint Your Wagon (1969) by David B — 28 Dec 2009
Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood star as the up-and-coming prospectors in this unusual but ultimately dispiriting musical. Courageously they sing their own songs but, in truth, should stick to acting, particularly as what's on offer here is dour.
Shot on location, Wagon certainly feels different than other frontier musicals, with grit and grime adding a welcome layer of realism.
But it's hard one to warm to: we first celebrate polygamy, then a wife auction and more (reverse) polygamy again. The town finally swallows itself in a fitting statement on morality but our interest wanes long before.
This review of Paint Your Wagon (1969) was written by David B on 28 Dec 2009.
Paint Your Wagon has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
