The Way West

Released May 24, 1967

2h 2m

Western

List

29%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

41%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In search of greener pastures, Senator William J. Tadlock (Kirk Douglas) heads west, with scores of settlers following behind. Tadlock has hired an experienced scout, Dick Summers (Robert Mitchum), to accompany the caravan on the way from Missouri to Oregon. But hazards along the trail, and Tadlock's increasing megalomania, threaten to break up the expedition. Their problems get bigger when one of the pilgrims accidentally kills the son of a Sioux chief.

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Blu B

The music is pretty solid with a couple good original sung tracks but i really isn't that catchy or memorable on it's own. The cinematography isn't bad either. there is some amazing Ford inspired landscape shots and it's stunning to look at along with solid camerawork and framing. The issue is some scenes are a bit over the top or go on too long and drag. The small pox at the fort was a bit stupid and forced, crossing the river dragged way too long, the ending was a bit anticlimatic. It needed to have better scenes to match the epic scenery and really there isn't much action either. The hanging scene was the best part and really good. It's a shame it could'nt keep that up the whole way. Acting isn't bad either with the 3 leads being the standouts and giving solid performances. Everyone else isn't bad but kind of blends in...and than there is Sally Field...she is annoying and is one of the biggest reasons this doesn't work. She's whiny, makes dumb choices, and doesn't really add anything and feels forced in. The momentum comes to a big halt whenever it focuses on her. The editing isn't bad but it feels like stuff just happens at times without a clear flow save for the middle with the indian chase. It's a miracle the pacing is ok enough because of Sally Field. This could've been shortned down probably 15-20 minutes and not suffered at all. trim some of the farfecthed scenes, get rid of Sally, cut some of the scenes that drag and it would've probably worked. Anyone who is a fan of the director, any actors in this, or vintage westerns will like this though. There is enough here for some people to enjoy it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

TN T

At 1:01 (1hr, 1 min), a calf is killed ACTUALLY by 2 arrows in its side, & shown later as it is still breathing with arrows in it, dying. This is so foul it made my stomach turn & I went back to confirm it had been done. So foul.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

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j f

Great cast, decent cinematography, but dictionary definition of middy at best.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/24

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Audience Member

This one was amazingly good. Yes I highly recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, February 8, 2023.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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delysid d

i tried to like this, but it really is pretty crappy. what happened Kirk Douglas?!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/07/22

Full Review

Audience Member

The Way West features beautiful cinematography of awesome western landscapes. Horse and carriage driving enthusiasts will enjoy the colorful collection of old conestoga wagons, farm wagons, and interesting hitches of multiple horses and mules. There are also some nice teams of oxen and even a scene illustrating lowering an ox down a cliff by a pulley system.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Andrew V. McLaglen

Director

Kirk Douglas

Sen. William J. Tadlock

Robert Mitchum

Dick Summers

Richard Widmark

Lije Evans

Lola Albright

Rebecca "Becky" Evans

Michael Witney

Johnnie Mack

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Pauline Kael

The New Republic

The Way West is about as bad an epic Western as I’ve ever seen.

Sep 20, 2023

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Andy Mead

Toledo Blade

Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, and Richard Widmark help to oil the squeaky theme with their skill.

Jul 1, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The sort of Western that's typically described as "sprawling," the picture packs a lot of incident into its 122-minute running time, but only select bits deliver much of a punch.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 18, 2021

Full Review

Isabel Quigly

The Spectator

The Way West is made with spirit and feeling and, if it has all the old stuff in it, it also has three rock-like old-timers showing their - years but also their assurance, their professionalism, their sheer much-used talent.

Jul 18, 2018

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Victor McLaglen's son Andrew directed in a lackluster way this dreary epic of the move Westward.

Rated: C-

Jul 26, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

In search of greener pastures, Senator William J. Tadlock (Kirk Douglas) heads west, with scores of settlers following behind. Tadlock has hired an experienced scout, Dick Summers (Robert Mitchum), to accompany the caravan on the way from Missouri to Oregon. But hazards along the trail, and Tadlock's increasing megalomania, threaten to break up the expedition. Their problems get bigger when one of the pilgrims accidentally kills the son of a Sioux chief.

Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Screenwriter: Mitch Lindemann, Ben Maddow
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Harold Hecht Productions
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 1967, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 2m

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