Review of Stagecoach (1939) by Danny R — 11 Jan 2012

A peerless western masterpiece flawlessly directed by John Ford, this is the film that caused a renaissance in the western genre by reinvented it, the possibilities as spectacle reaffirmed and a new classicism was born in the maturing of the western, balancing character study with a treasury of memorable performances from it's exceptional cast beginning with John Wayne, as the Ringo Kid a good-guy gunslinger; in a brilliant star-making performance that propelled him to genuine superstardom, Thomas Mitchell in a memorable turn that won him an Oscar as the drunken Doc Boone, Claire Trevor as a "good" prostitute, John Carradine as a aristocratic gambler, George Bancroft as the compassionate sheriff, Andy Devine as a grizzled stagecoach driver, Donald Meek as a whiskey drummer, Louise Platt as a woman of quality and Berton Churchill as a crooked banker, all of these assorted passengers are on the same stage going into dangerous Indian country, their reactions under stress and the impending Indian attack only adds to the suspense.

Stunt legend Yakima Canutt provided the hair-rasing thrills in the lengthy indian attacks. Filmed in John Ford's beloved Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border A majestic, exciting, dramatic western classic motion picture, and one of the all-time greats.

Highly Recommended.