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Wagon Master [DVD] [1950]

Staring: Ben Johnson, Ward Bond, Harry Carey, Alan Mowbray, Charles Kemper
Director: John Ford
Average Customer Rating:

List Price: ~~£9.99~~
Our Price: £1.59

Product Details
Audience Rating: Parental Guidance
Binding: DVD
EAN: 5050582545999
Format: Black & White, PAL
Label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Pictures UK
Region Code: 2
Release Date: 2008-05-05
Running Time: 86
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
Theatrical Release Date: 1950

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Editorial Review
Amazon.co.uk Review
How is it that John Ford's greatest film remains largely unknown? All right, let's not kick sand on The Searchers, or The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, or Ford's many other masterworks. But the director himself numbered Wagon Master among his personal favorites, and it's an utterly unique and original film no one else could have made. This crusty, eccentric production, slipped in between installments of Ford's Cavalry trilogy, doesn't really star anybody. Ward Bond plays a Mormon elder, a reformed sinner still given to "the words of wrath" who asks a slightly larcenous young horse trader to lead a wagon train through the desert to a valley "the Lord has reserved" for them. The newly anointed wagon master is played by Ben Johnson, an amazing horseman Ford had been bringing along in character roles; at this point Johnson was still getting used to delivering lines, though that's part of his charm and serves his character beautifully.

A transcendent allegory of the opening of the frontier, Wagon Master follows no conventional, linear itinerary. The Lord moves in mysterious ways and so does the movie, which begins before it begins (that is, before the opening credits) and ends a few luminous seconds after THE END has come and gone. Storytelling takes a backseat to poetry, with long passages consecrated to savoring faces, landscapes, and raw sunlight. Some of these passages are supported by songs, and sometimes music rises faintly like an auditory mirage borne in from a great distance. The musicality extends to communal dancing, and to the demonic jingling of spurs that signals the appearances of "Uncle" Shiloh Cleggs (Charles Kemper), patriarch of an inbred outlaw clan whose dog-legged journey eventually intersects the wagon train's.

In keeping with Ford's vision of civilization and its discontents, Wagon Master is populated mostly by pariahs. Besides the deservedly outcast Cleggses, there are the Mormons, the vagabond horse traders played by Johnson and Harry Carey Jr., a medicine-show troupe, and the first people on the land, the Navajo. As individuals and groups drift and coalesce, then separate and coalesce again in fresh configurations, a new nation gets its footing while marching west--"out across the backlands, where the dust has lain so long...." This is the heart's-core of American cinema. --Richard T. Jameson

Customer Reviews

great western, 2008-04-24
one of john fords many great westerns, this time without john wayne but with ben johnson and the always entertaining ward bond.
shouldnt be missed if you are a john ford fan.

John Ford couldn't shoot an uninteresting scene if he tried, 2008-10-24
I was knocked out the first time I saw this movie about 7 years ago and with repeat viewings it becomes richer. I am so glad that it is out on DVD as I have drop-out on my VHS version now.

Wagonmaster is a low key western with immense charm and it creates a sense of community as it takes you along. At times it moves as slowly as Ben Johnson talks, but this gives you time to concentrate on the collectively excellent performances and sublime cinematography. The Sons of the Pioneers music is appropriately used, unlike in Rio Grande where at times it is intrusive. During the scenes when the wagon train is searching for the next waterhole, the music and the cinematography come together in perfect unison and the film becomes art.

I wish John Ford had used Ben Johnson in prominent roles more often.

Wonderful 'forgotton' western., 2008-07-10
Wagon Master is an outstanding John Ford Western. Not that much of a story but it does not need it. Great acting. This film gets better the more time it is watched. Showing how a Wagon Train would have looked. Full of interesting and people, there are no real stars and perhaps that is right as the film it's self is the real star!

not one of my favourite John Ford Westerns,but i still liked it a lot (3.5/5), 2010-03-15
although i liked this Western,i do have to say,it's not one of my favourite John Ford Westerns.for me,it just lacks a certain something that most of his other films(the ones i have seen anyway)possess)i'm nit sure what that something is.it's not something tangible.anyway,the gist of the story is about a Mormon wagon train which is being used by a band of outlaws as a hideout from a pursuing posse.Ford employs a lot of his regulars here.there are some interesting characters,some nice scenery,a bit of action,and excitement.it all adds up to a watchable experience.it's certainly not boring.just not quite up to the usual John Ford standard.for me,Wagon Master is a 3.5/5

Lesser Known Ford Classic., 2009-03-04
"Wagon Master"(50) is certainly one of John Ford's lesser known Westerns but it is certainly one of his better. Ford himself once said "I think Wagon Master came closest to being what I wanted to achieve". Coming from the master that should give pause for thought. Ford himself formulated the story which was then written by Frank S Nugent and Ford's son Patrick. The film was made in black and white on location in Professor Valley near Moab, Utah. Ben Johnson as Travis Blue and Harry Carey Jnr as Sandy Owens play the two lead roles. Ford opted for lesser known actors in this film. Ben Johnson was a former world rodeo star and was a stalwart support actor for the duration of his career. Harry Carey jnr was the son of a famous silent Western star who Ford had worked with in the past. Carey jnr had already taken a major role as one of Fords "3 Godfathers"(48). He too was to spend his career in support roles. Ward Bond provides solid support and Joanne Dru provides the romantic interest. Bond's role later propelled him into the star role for the TV series "Wagon Train" 57-65, later taken over by John McIntire after his death.

The film opens with the evil Clegg gang robbing a bank. They later force the wagon train led by Bond to hide them from a pursuing posse. Travis and Sandy have been hired by the Mormon wagon train to guide them through unfamiliar territory. Travis later falls in love with Joanne Dru who joins the train. Later one of the Clegg boys is whipped by Bond for molesting an Indian girl. The Cleggs swear vengeance. We head to a climactic shoot out as Sandy and Travis come to the Mormons aid.

I am pleased that this lesser known work has got a thoroughly deserved DVD release. The film is rich in gentle, nostalgic emotion with lighter comedic moments. It is deceptionally unpretentious, which was not always the case with Ford, and in many ways is the high point of his Westerns. His optimism and pessimism are well balanced. The whole film has a good balance to it and is a hugely enjoyable experience. Highly recommended.