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Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel, Hope Emerson, John McIntire, Henry Nakamura ... see more see more... , Julie Bishop , Lenore Lonergan , Marilyn Erskine , Renata Vanni , Beverly Dennis , George Chandler , Bruce Cowling , Frankie Darro , Dorothy Granger , Guido Martufi

Though Frank Capra wrote the original story treatment for MGM's Westward the Women, he was too busy to direct the film, and handed the reigns instead to his former Liberty Films partner William A. Wel... read more read more...lman. This stark, no-nonsense outdoor drama stars Robert Taylor as a trail guide named Buck, who in 1851 is hired by California settler Roy Whitman (John McIntyre) to head a wagon train full of mail-order brides from Chicago to the West Coast. Though Buck spares the brides nothing in describing the hardships they're about to face, most of the ladies agree to undertake the journey. Starting out with 104 women, Buck leads the expedition through some of the most treacherous territory in the West. Several of the women die en route, killed off by the elements, Indian attacks, and sundry unexpected mishaps. Most of the male travellers likewise fall victim to disaster, save for Buck and his courageous Japanese cook Ito (Henry Nakamura). Even when the wagon train reaches its destination, the story is far, far from over. Though second-billed Denise Darcel is the most prominent of the women, the large cast generally works as an ensemble, with everyone pitching together for the common good, just as their real-life counterparts had done back in the 1850s. Throughout, the film abruptly (and effectively) switches moods, veering precipitously from raucous comedy to profound tragedy (some of the deaths occur so suddenly that they can still elicit gasps from the audience). An expertly assembled and reasonably realistic saga, Westward the Women is one story that needs to be told in black-and-white; the currently available colorized version should be avoided like the plague. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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85% liked it

386 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: William A. Wellman

Release Date: January 1, 1951

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DVD Release Date: May 18, 1994

Stats: 40 reviews

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Denise Darcel and Robert Taylor Westward the Women Westward the Women
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Flixster Reviews (40)

  • donnarenee2006
    November 2, 2008
    donnarenee2006
    This was a pretty good western movie. Interesting story of how a group of women trek west to find their mates when a town full of men request for women to marry. The endurance, and courage what they went through during the wild west. A must see.
  • jam233
    February 7, 2010
    jam233
    This is a little known gem of a western, the performances from everyone is excellent. Superb character development, an excellent mix of drama, action and adventure with touches of comedy. It?s a moving and inspiring story. Great direction from William Wellman. Well photographed a... read morend always interesting.

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
December 3, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Wonderfully ridiculous feel-good offbeat western based on the story by Frank Capra. Full Review

February 23, 2012
Variety

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