Stagecoach (1966)

A disparate group of passengers are thrown together by circumstances on a stagecoach traveling through Sioux territory making their way to Cheyenne. A remake of the 1939 John Ford film and directed by Gordon Douglas (TONY ROME). If Ford's 1939 masterwork STAGECOACH had never existed, this film would be seen as an above average exciting western. But when you're a remake of one of the great American films of all time, it's near impossible to stand on your own without being compared. Of course, a film like this, despite some genuine virtues, is going to suffer under comparisons. As it is, it's a solid western with colorful characters traveling amid the glorious Colorado mountains majestically lensed in CinemaScope by William Clothier (MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE). The film, not surprisingly considering the almost 30 years that have passed, is more violent. It opens with a soldier getting a tomahawk to the face, a man being dragged through fire and a horse stomping a solider to death. Some of the casting is off. Ann-Margret, in particular, with her Sydney Guilaroff hairstyles and anachronistic false fingernails is simply too young for the role of the prostitute Dallas and Robert Cummings, who normally can barely make an effort to act, overacts terribly. The rousing score is by Jerry Goldsmith. With Bing Crosby (very good), Van Heflin, Stefanie Powers, Red Buttons, Mike Connors, Slim Pickens, Keenan Wynn and in the role that made John Wayne a star, Alex Cord.