Wagon Master – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Oct 11, 2009, 17:02 GMT

The rivers are wide and rapid. The desert is vast and unforgiving. And when the trail turns craggy, men use pick-axes to dig grooves for the wagon wheels. Mother Nature can be overcome, but human nature remains deadly and unpredictable: Outlaws are using the Mormon wagon train as a hideout from a pursuing posse. John Ford\'s "Wagon Master" is one of the legendary filmmaker\'s personal favorites, a visually stirring celebration ...more

“But ‘hell’ ain’t cussing.  It’s geography.”

John Ford’s favorite film finally stampedes onto DVD.  It’s not the picture we think of when we think of Ford.  It’s not going to supersede The Searchers in fame, but it’s obvious why he liked the picture so much.  

Elder Wiggs (Ward Bond) is leading a group of Mormons across the plains to establish a settlement.  They approach horse traders Travis (Ben Johnson) and Sandy (Harry Carey Jr.) to lead them through the hostile territory.  They encounter a traveling medicine show led by Dr. A. Locksley Hall (Alan Mowbray), who imbibes too much of his stock, along with showgirls Denver (the lovely Joanne Dru) and Fleuretty (Ruth Clifford). 

The group also encounters the villainous Cleggs (including a mute but menacing James Arness) led by Uncle Shiloh (Charles Kemper) as well as the other hardships of the prairie.  

John Ford sometimes listed Wagon Master as his favorite film and it’s not hard to see why.  It was certainly a family affair with his son Patrick co-writing with Frank Nugent, daughter Barbara serving as assistant editor, and brother Francis Ford appearing in a  showy bit part (the funny Mormon drummer).  It’s a film devoid of big stars. 

Harry Carey Jr. quips in the commentary when Ford approached him to be in the picture he asked “with Duke (John Wayne)?” and the curmudgeonly Ford retorted “What, you can’t make a picture without Duke?”  Though no big names appear, Johnson and Carey are up for the job and create memorable characters. 

From all accounts the shoot was a pleasant one and “Uncle Jack,” as Carey called Ford, was in an unusually pleasant mood and not as cruel as usual.  The film was a low-budget outing, supposedly shot for under one million, and shot around Moab, Utah.  A fun time was had by all and the result is a great little picture. 

Since such a family atmosphere was on the set it certainly fits that Ford would remember the shoot.  It may not reach the heights of Searchers, etc. on his filmography but it certainly is a rich film for one shot so cheaply.  Ford shoots it almost as a silent picture.  Turn down the sound and you’ll see what I mean. 

It has many close-ups and reaction shots where dialogue is not even needed.  Not that you’d want to turn down the sound since there are some top tapping songs by the Sons of the Pioneers.  Some familiar faces pepper the cast, character actor Hank Worden, Jane Darwell and her horn, and even Olympian Jim Thorpe appear. 

The film is a treat all around for Ford fans as well as those who enjoy a good western.  The biggest treat is found in the special features section.

Wagon Master is presented in fullscreen.  Special features include a lone commentary, but what a commentary it is.  Peter Bogdanovich sits down with star Harry Carey Jr. and Bogdanovich even brings along John Ford for the ride (tapes from interviews he did with him in the 1960s). 

Carey remembers many funny and interesting tales from the set as well as pointing out his co-stars and bit players.  I was amazed as I can barely recall lunch yesterday, but the spry 88-year-old recalls many anecdotes and names.  It’s a treasure trove of a commentary.

Wagon Master might not overpower The Searchers, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, or many other classics in Ford’s filmography but it is a fine film and leaves you with a smile on your face when the credits roll. 

As grand as the film is it is only complemented by a fabulous commentary with star Harry Carey Jr.  A must purchase for fans of Ford or those who enjoy a good western.  

Wagon Master is now available at Amazon. Visit the DVD database for more information.