Wonderful character development!

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

The Way West is directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and adapted to screenplay by Ben Maddow and Mitch Lindemann from the novel of the same name written by A.B. Guthrie Jr. It stars Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Richard Widmark, Sally Field, Lola Albright, Michael McGreevey, Jack Elam, Katherine Justice and Stubby Kaye. Music is by Bronislau Kaper and cinematography by William H. Clothier.1843 and a former U.S. senator leads a wagon train of settlers to Oregon where he plans to build a new town. However, his rules of discipline and organisational skills leads to growing dissatisfaction with his leadership.Frustrating! Such potential with the cast and story to hand, that The Way West meanders along and outstays its welcome is a crying shame. The blame is shared around, though, the screenplay doesn't offer up much for the cast to get their teeth into, which means Mitchum phones it in and Douglas tilts over the edge in trying to liven proceedings. McLaglen isn't confident enough to spruce the narrative with excitement, choosing instead a more maudlin approach as the many "pioneer character" threads start to feel superfluous to the story's worth. Especially bad is a teen romance between Field and McGreevey, as unnecessary as it is distracting.Clothier's photography around the various Oregon locations is superb, fit to be in a John Ford movie in fact. The vibrant landscapes and the 100% outdoor production ensure there is at least some good to take away from the movie. We can also say that the odd interjection of drama, such as that involving the accidental killing of a Sioux child - and the subsequent "internal" discipline that follows - maintains interest. But once we reach the finale, and Widmark's Lije Evans yells it's on to Oregon, you may find yourself angry that Clothier and yourself deserved a far better movie. 5/10

This film was, in parts, historically wanting. For instance, there is a conflict in the time-line concerning the year of travel and the discovery of gold in California. The movie ends short of some of the most dangerous travel on the Oregon Trail.The scenery is great and the landmarks added a sense of reality. I enjoyed seeing most wagons pulled by oxen, as emigrants preferred the sturdy animal over horses or mules.Characterizations left a bit to be desired. While the acting was adequate there was no depth to any individual. That aside, it was worth watching for the cast alone.The story had possibilities but came up short.

Kirk Douglas plays former U.S. Senator William Tadlock who ramrods a wagon train of Missouri pioneers to a new start in Oregon. Dick Summeres(Robert Mitchum)is goaded into scouting for the trek. He seemed to be the best choice. He did find mountains, water and the Grand Canyon; but then Indians did find the wagon train. A little bit of firewater helps the travelers gain free passage from the Indians. Drought and death does not deter the westward caravan. The heavy hitting lineup of stars include: Richard Widmark, Jack Elam, Lola Albright, Stubby Kaye, Harry Carey Jr. and "introduces" Sally Field as a sagebrush tart. Beautiful scenery throughout. Andrew V. McLaglen directs this movie that just seems to plod along and falls far from the status of a genuine classic. A great way to spend a long afternoon.

You would think that a film that starred three of the biggest male film stars of the post World War II era would have become a classic. These three who also happen to be three favorites of mine, walk around in a daze, looking like they'd rather be any place, but there.The sad thing is that The Way West definitely had some potential to be a classic. In these days of political correctness, a film about American pioneers and the travails of their westward migration is something not done now. It should have been better done back then.Kirk Douglas is a former United States Senator who's heading a wagon train west to build a settlement in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Being he's an ex-politician, he rates above the hoi ploi he's leading. The script calls for him to have not only a covered wagon, but a carriage to lead the train.You think that's ludicrous, you ought to see the whipping scene where Douglas orders his black servant, played by Roy Glenn to whip him. I won't spoil it by saying what causes Douglas to demand this of Glenn, but trust me, it's bad.Robert Mitchum is the trail guide and of the three stars he looks the most bored. There was supposed to be considerable friction on the set between Widmark and Douglas, but Mitchum just saunters through the film above it all.Maybe the friction helped somewhat because the movie calls for Douglas, a widower, to have an eye on Mrs. Widmark, played by Lola Albright. Now she's the best looking thing in the movie.The film billing says introducing Sally Field. This was made in between her Gidget and her Flying Nun days. She plays a piece of white southern trash with the musical comedy name of Mercy McBee. We first see her in the movie sitting on the back of her parents wagon, legs akimbo and inviting. Of course she gets taken up on her invitation.Her character is something like what's found in every trailer park in America and then again what was a wagon train, but one large trailer park on the move. Despite this film, Sally Field went on to a two Oscar career. What that woman had to overcome.Victor McLaglen's son Andrew directed this item and together with a lousy script turned this into a turgid mess. Shame on Andrew McLaglen, he's certainly done better in his career.And so will you, unless you're a stargazer.