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How The West Was Won (DVD, 2008)
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This is a light-comedy epic from 1962 about C19th US western expansion. It features an all-star cast, though many, like John Wayne, are just there for 3 minute cameos. The action is not meant to be educational, as both history and geography take a backset to entertainment. However, this is no problem for a US audience, who learn the outlines of their own history before their teenage years, and know this is just hokum. Karl Malden is the bible-thumping father of two good-looking and head-strong daughters, played by Debbie Reynolds and Carroll Baker. Karl's plans to emigrate west are disrupted by river pirates. Amid the fallout, Carroll Baker falls hard for handy trapper, James Stewart. She turns him into a farmer, and they start a family. Debbie Reynolds' character wants to realise her talents for singing and dancing. Over the course of the film, she performs 5 different numbers, first as demure daughter, a couple (with tumbling) as a music hall girl, then some singing around the campfire on the way West. Despite several of offers of marriage, she is determined to remain an independent businesswoman, even if she has a weakness for handsome tin-horn, Gregory Peck. Sprinkled in amid the family history of the Prescotts are scenes of the Civil War, a few hollering Indians, and a Tombstone-like town in the 1880s, where Reynolds' nephew, George Peppard, is marshall. For the finale, a middle-aged Peppard chases a bandit on a train. Quite a bit of the budget is spent on innovative cinematography for this train sequence. There are some nice pictures looking directly down the barrel of a shotgun, and there's an impressive crash. Overall, the film is only a partial success. It is neither an epic taking itself seriously, nor does it have the brevity that comedy demands. Just in 1962, The Comancheros and The Man who Shot Liberty Valance were both better westerns; The Longest Day was a better all-star cast film, and Lawrence of Arabia was the best epic. Nonetheless, Debbie Reynolds is excellent and really holds everything together. The starry cameos and the big-budget scenes are also enjoyable. 6.5/10Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A film originally shot for MGM in Cinerama. A technique no longer in use, made for curved cinema screens, but transfers very well to the flat screen of TV. Technical aspects of the film are very well covered in the associated commentaries, and explain the slightly unusual look of the film. The story is told unsentimentally of the people who lived and died, and who dreamed of a new life in a, largely wild and uninhabited part of America. A host of film stars are in the cast, including the late Debbie Reynolds, and a surprisingly large role for George Peppard. Well worth watching, although my copy did need a good clean in order for it to play smoothly, otherwise 5 stars!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Always, when puchasing films, one wonders what has been done to the original format (in this case Cinerama). In this case the reproduction of the D.V.Ds has been done to match the wide screen media version of the film. My wife has now watched the D.V.Ds and is well satisfied with the quality and content of the package.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
The movie may be made in the 1960's but it has a good storyline and some of the scenes are very exciting. It's the first movie I've seen where Richard Widmark plays a baddie!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
the dvd how the west was won is an excellent film if you are a fan of western films.the dvd I purchased was good value for the price.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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