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John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr., Ward Bond, Mae Marsh, Mildred Natwick ... see more see more... , Jane Darwell , Guy Kibbee , Dorothy Ford , Ben Johnson , Pedro Armendáriz , Ruth Clifford , Charles Halton , Fred Libby , Cliff Lyons , Don Summers , Hank Worden , Michael Dugan , Francis Ford , Richard Hageman , Jack Pennick

John Ford had already directed one of the three previous film versions of Peter Kyne's novel under the title Marked Men (1919) with his mentor Harry Carey, a great cowboy star of the silent era who ha... read more read more...d recently died. It's not difficult to see how the story's sentimentality and Christian symbolism might have appealed to the director's sensibility. John Wayne stars as Bob Hightower, the leader of a trio of thieves who rob a bank in Arizona and take off with the posse of Sheriff Buck Sweet (Ward Bond) in close pursuit. Although they need to stop to water their horses and care for the wounds of Abilene (Harry Carey Jr.), their accurate suspicion that the sheriff is laying an ambush for them at the Mohave water tank leads the gang toward the more distant Terrapin tanks. However, en route, they're waylaid by a terrible sandstorm which scatters their horses. Forced to go on foot, they come upon a lone woman (Mildred Natwick) in a covered wagon who is about to give birth. She dies in childbirth, but not before extracting a promise from the three to take care of her child. Under a blistering sun, they head for New Jerusalem. ~ Michael Costello, Rovi

Flixster Users

77% liked it

2,110 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

10 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: John Ford

Release Date: December 1, 1948

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DVD Release Date: June 6, 2006

Stats: 118 reviews

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Pedro Armendariz Pedro Armendáriz, John Wayne and Harry Carry, Jr. 3 Godfathers
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Flixster Reviews (118)

  • bbcfloridabound
    November 16, 2010
    bbcfloridabound
    Number 3 in the quest of 30 by Christmas. This one talks about Christmas but doesn't have a overall theme of Christmas till its end. The Duke John Wayne plays a bad guy in this film, something that was rare, after robbing a bank The Duke and his partners go across the desert to a... read morevoid the law, when they happen upon a women having a baby, before she dies she makes them the boys godfathers and promise to keep her baby alive, so sets the theme for this Mild Western. Found it on a list of Christmas movies, have never seen it on TV, again has a Christian theme and gospel singing, a rarity on TV these days. Today's Hollywood is based on the more smut the better even this time of the year. Its worth your time and 4 stars
  • ythelastman89
    July 27, 2010
    ythelastman89
    This is just a great movie that's both fun and well made. It must be the first John Wayne/John Ford movie in color and it's truly beautiful to look at. While it's a premise that certainly could have become corny, it doesn't and manages to have a great message. The chemistry betwe... read moreen the three bank robbers is one of the many qualities it has, friendship is such a powerful theme in this. While it draws parallels with the three wisemen, it definitely doesn't steal and is extremely original and fresh.
  • deano
    September 7, 2008
    deano
    Director John Ford's second version of Peter B. Kyne's biblically oriented Western features John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr., and Pedro Armendaria as three good-hearted outlaws who discover a baby in the desert and dedicate themselves to saving its life. The three leads work well toge... read morether, and Ford's stock company adds grit to the sentimental story.
  • fb68600877
    January 20, 2012
    fb68600877
    Intriguing movie that is well-paced and decently-enough acted until it becomes ridiculous at the end. This was a bit of a strange film for John Ford to take on. I guess I just thought it was unusual more than anything else.
  • manishboy
    January 6, 2010
    manishboy
    This is not only a great western but one of my favorite Christmas movies. It is fun to watch and has a really great script!
  • Devylyn
    July 1, 2008
    Devylyn
    How can u make one show completely based on a guy trying to cross the desert with a baby??? I don't know but the Duke did it.
  • indixiesheart
    July 9, 2007
    indixiesheart
    OH such a MOVIE.. YOU cry for the criminals.. AND for their plight to save a child.. AND done at time od christmas.. LEAD to believe as the story of JEsus in way filmed.. SEEN over 200 times..

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Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

There are humor and honest tear-jerking in this visually beautiful film. Full Review

November 27, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A wonderful, sentimental western. Full Review

Tom Milne
June 24, 2006
Tom Milne, Time Out

he last reel, with Wayne explicitly identified as the Prodigal Son and a general collapse into mawkishness, might almost have strayed in from another movie. Full Review

Steve Crum
October 16, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Reworking of the 3 wise men story out west is very good Ford.

Dennis Schwartz
June 25, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Wayne as the Prodigal Son delivering the Christ child seemed a bit of a stretch. Full Review

Ken Hanke
August 13, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Gorgeously photographed Ford version of the often filmed story.

May 24, 2003
Film4

It's phoney, it's bunk -- and it might just persuade you of a beautiful lie. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 19, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Andy Klein
March 30, 2005
Andy Klein, Los Angeles CityBeat

No review available.

Carol Cling
August 22, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

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