Stagecoach [1939] - The Classic John Wayne Collection

This review is for the star studded (Crosby/Ann Margaret) DVD from Signal One/Hollywood Classics. The DVD is a very good Scope transfer (bars top and bottom) showing off the splendid location photography. The sound I found to be just the wrong side of good, but not enough to spoil enjoyment. No Subs, but an audio commentary. The film? Why remake a classic? But it is true to say thaqt sometimes a remake can be as good as or better than an original. However, that isn't quite the case here. Viewed as a stand alone western (Try and forget Ford) this isn't bad at all. It begins with a (very) violent massacree by Sioux of a Cavalry troop - Moves quickly on to a just as brutal fight between 2 soldiers over Ann Margaret, which leads to her banishment from the town along with Drunken Doc Boone (Crosby) Her transport is a seemingly very roomy stagecoach with fellow passengers Red Buttons, Mike Connors, Bob Cummings and Stephanie Powers. The coach is driven by Slim Pickens and riding shotgun is Marshall Van Heflin. )n the trail they pick up the Ringo Kid (Alex Cord). After much talk problems and quarrels - well - the Indians attack, leading the climax in Cheyenne. The actors are of course on a hiding to nothing because western fans will have seen and loved Ford's film (won't they?), but to be fair they all do their best and are good. Standouts for me were the ladies, Slim Pickens, Van Heflin, and at the end Keenan Wynn. The price is good. The quality is good with correct ratio. It's fun for me anyway comparing the performences, and I suspect you will too. Ford it isn't but well worth a punt. (Oh and I don't think you will recall a western where so many Indians are killed in the chase sequence...)

Excellent film. Saw it on TV and had to have it. Ideal companion to the original John Wayne version but with sufficient differences to storyline to make it enjoyable in its own right. Securely packaged and fast delivery

Rough and ready by todays slick standards this appears as if John Ford felt obligated to get every old fashioned Western storyline in one film. Brilliant.

An OK movie, but it did not draw me into the action as I thought it would have done! The scenery and action shots were excellent, but the story line for me got a little thin trying to keep so many lead actors occupied!

Good acting except for Bob Crosby who messed up some lines. Alex ans Ann are great.The biggest issue is real native americans weren't represented - should have got Wes Studi for example.Maybe someone will do another remake.

a nice all star movie that really you could only get in the 60's and 70's, before wage packets made it impossible..reasonable print too, long been a favourite western, although not a patch on the John Wayne original.

No problems with your delivery of this DVD and would recommend you to anyone

Absolutely pointless of Amazon to offer this great classic of the American Western genre in such an appallingly bad quality file. Shows complete ignorance of film heritage and the market of aficionados who expect a quality experience and will be utterly disappointed.