The Way West (film)

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The Way West
Directed by	Andrew V. McLaglen
Produced by	Harold Hecht
Written by	A.B. Guthrie Jr. (novel) Mitch Lindemann Ben Maddow (screenwriter)
Starring	Kirk Douglas Robert Mitchum Richard Widmark Lola Albright Jack Elam Sally Field Stubby Kaye
Music by	Bronislau Kaper
Cinematography	William H. Clothier
Editing by	Otho Lovering
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date(s)	May 24, 1967
Running time	122 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

The Way West is a 1967 epic western film based on the novel by A. B. Guthrie, Jr.. The film stars Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Richard Widmark, and Sally Field in her first film role. The film was directed by veteran television director Andrew V. McLaglen and featured breathtaking on-location cinematography by William H. Clothier. Though reviews were mixed, critics such as Roger Ebert praised the film for its realistic portrayal of settlers and their motivations. [1]

[edit] Plot

The film follows former senator William Tudlock (Kirk Douglas) as he leads a wagon train from along the Oregon Trail from Missouri with the help of hired guide Dick Summers (Robert Mitchum). After several accidents which cost settlers lives, a mutiny of sorts develops and his position is overtaken by Lije Evans (Richard Widmark). Soon, different factions develop amongst the train as they try to survive their trek to Oregon.

The film is notable for being the first big-budget western since 1930's The Big Trail to show pioneers lowering a wagon train over a cliff with ropes.

[edit] Cast

Actor	Role
Kirk Douglas	Sen. William J. Tadlock
Robert Mitchum	Dick Summers
Richard Widmark	Lije Evans
Lola Albright	Rebecca Evans
Jack Elam	Preacher Weatherby
Mike Witney	Johnnie Mack
Sally Field	Mercy McBee
Stubby Kaye	Sam Fairman
Katherine Justice	Amanda Mack
Michael McGreevey	Brownie Evans
Connie Sawyer	Mrs. McBee
Harry Carey Jr.	Mr. McBee
Paul Lukather	Mr. Turley