Themes: White People Among Indians, Taming the West
Main Cast: Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Richard Widmark, Lola Albright, Jack Elam
Release Year: 1967
Country: US
Run Time: 122 minutes
Plot
Senator William J. Tadlock (Kirk Douglas) enlists the help of veteran scout Dick Summers (Robert Mitchum) to lead a wagon train of settlers from Missouri to Oregon in this plodding, routine western. A scared settler accidently shoots an Indian boy who is mistaken for a wolf, prompting Summers to order newlywed triggerman Johnny Mack (Michael Witney) to be hanged to avoid an Indian attack. Sally Field appears in her first big-screen role as the slatternly Mercy McBee. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
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; Elisabeth Fraser - Mrs. Fairman; William Lundigan - Michael Moynihan; Anne Barton - Mrs. Moynihan; Roy Barcroft - Master; Eve McVeagh - Mrs. Masters; Paul Lukather - Turley; Peggy Stewart - Mrs. Turley; Hal Lynch - Big Henry; Timothy Scott - Middle Henry; John Mitchum - Little Henry; Roy E. Glenn, Sr. - Saunders; Patric Knowles - Col. Grant; Nick Cravat - Calvelli; Gary Morris - Paw-Kee-Mah; Michael Lane - Sioux Chief; Michael Keep - Sioux Brave; Clarke Gordon - Caleb Greenwood; Ken Murray - Hank; Paul Wexler - Barber; Everett Creach - Cattleman; Jim Burk - Cattlemen; Gary McLarty - Cattleman; Stefan Arngrim - Billy Tadlock; Edward Little Sky - Sioux Brave
The film follows former senator William Tudlock (Kirk Douglas) as he leads a wagon train 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.
