Although there were Westerns before it, Stagecoach quickly became a template for all movie Westerns to come. Director John Ford combined action, drama, humor, and a set of well-drawn characters in the story of a stagecoach set to leave Tonto, New Mexico for a distant settlement in Lordsburg, with a diverse set of passengers on board. Dallas (Claire Trevor) is a woman with a scandalous past who has been driven out of town by the high-minded ladies of the community. Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt) is the wife of a cavalry officer ...
Read More
Although there were Westerns before it, Stagecoach quickly became a template for all movie Westerns to come. Director John Ford combined action, drama, humor, and a set of well-drawn characters in the story of a stagecoach set to leave Tonto, New Mexico for a distant settlement in Lordsburg, with a diverse set of passengers on board. Dallas (Claire Trevor) is a woman with a scandalous past who has been driven out of town by the high-minded ladies of the community. Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt) is the wife of a cavalry officer stationed in Lordsburg, and she's determined to be with him. Hatfield (John Carradine) is a smooth-talking cardsharp who claims to be along to "protect" Lucy, although he seems to have romantic intentions. Dr. Boone (Thomas Mitchell) is a self-styled philosopher, a drunkard, and a physician who's been stripped of his license. Mr. Peacock (Donald Meek) is a slightly nervous whiskey salesman (and, not surprisingly, Dr. Boone's new best friend). Gatewood (Berton Churchill) is a crooked banker who needs to get out of town. Buck (Andy Devine) is the hayseed stage driver, and Sheriff Wilcox (George Bancroft) is along to offer protection and keep an eye peeled for the Ringo Kid (John Wayne), a well-known outlaw who has just broken out of jail. While Wilcox does find Ringo, a principled man who gives himself up without a fight, the real danger lies farther down the trail, where a band of Apaches, led by Geronimo, could attack at any time. Stagecoach offers plenty of cowboys, Indians, shootouts, and chases, aided by Yakima Canutt's remarkable stunt work and Bert Glennon's majestic photography of Ford's beloved Monument Valley. It also offers a strong screenplay by Dudley Nichols with plenty of room for the cast to show its stuff. John Wayne's performance made him a star after years as a B-Western leading man, and Thomas Mitchell won an Oscar for what could have been just another comic relief role. Thousands of films have followed Stagecoach's path, but no has ever improved on its formula. Mark Deming, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Stagecoach (Two-Disc Special Edition) to cart. $25.99, new condition, Sold by Cornerstone Used Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Villa Park, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2006.
Add this copy of Stagecoach (Two-Disc Special Edition) to cart. $34.84, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2006.
Add this copy of Stagecoach (the Criterion Collection) to cart. $43.08, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Criterion.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell. New. 1939 Run time: 96. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Add this copy of Stagecoach (the Criterion Collection) [Blu-Ray] to cart. $48.76, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Criterion.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell. New. 1939 Run time: 96. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Over the past several years I have become interested in the Western genre in literature and film. I had never seen the venerable 1939 film "Stagecoach" directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor until today when I had the opportunity to see the movie on a large screen in a beautiful theater -- the American Film Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. It is a gift to be able to see classic films on screen in the manner for which they were intended.
Set in the 1880s, "Stagecoach" tells the story of a group of nine people making a treacherous journey through the Apache territory. In the course of the journey, the characters interact with and gradually come to know one another. They must confront their own prejudices as their past lives and stories are revealed. The acting is convincing, both by the individuals and in ensemble. The scenery looks authentic as much of it is. The musical score adds to the film, and the story is told briskly and holds the viewer's interest.
"Stagecoach" is more than an entertaining western. It is a story of the development of our country and of how people may learn to live together and to celebrate both diversity and unity.
I have seen an old Hollywood brochure promoting and explaining "Stagecoach" that still is worth considering. The booklet begins: "Our country is great. Our pride in what it stands for is real. Our gratitude for what it has given us is unquestioned." The booklet proceeds to describe the film as an incident in history and as a symbol of some of what is valuable in our country's development. Each person in the coach has his or her own past history while "ahead of each of them looms a personal future of much hope, but little certainty." The film includes criticism of the prejudices and biases of its characters. Yet it offers hope that America is broader than the biases of individuals and ultimately works to transcend them.
The western genre has had a long history and its fortunes have changed with changes in public sentiment and views of the United States. Through over-exposure and through the rise of an unhappy cynicism about the United States, past present and future, the western had a long decline. I have enjoyed revisiting and thinking about classic westerns and what may be learned from them in terms of ideals though which Americans may understand themselves. With this in mind, I was glad to see "Stagecoach" at last. While not the full story of our country, It still has much to teach a skeptical United States about some of our underlying values and aspirations and about the possibility of hope and development in our nation's future.
Robin Friedman
Jerry
Aug 18, 2015
Stagecoach!
Been a long time since I had seen this movie- probably 60 or more years. A very young John Wayne just starting out as an actor! Great film and very well made, though a bit worn at the edges. Would I do it again? You bet! Recommended!
![Stagecoach (the Criterion Collection) [Blu-Ray]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/cover/u96730z6fk3_t.jpg)
![Stagecoach [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/stagecoach-criterion-collection-blu-ray/cover/u96730z6fk3.jpg)
![Stagecoach [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/stagecoach-criterion-collection-2-discs/cover/u96729n1ajq.jpg)
![Stagecoach [Special Edition] [2 Discs]](https://www3.alibris-static.com/stagecoach-special-edition-2-discs/cover/t79641oxfnv.jpg)
