The War Wagon

1967

1 hr. 41 min.

Western

List

82%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Rancher Taw Jackson (John Wayne) is out for revenge. He was shot by a gunslinger, Lomax (Kirk Douglas), on the orders of mining tycoon Frank Pierce (Bruce Cabot) and framed for a crime he did not commit. Now out of prison, he teams up with former enemy Lomax for an elaborate heist targeted at one of Pierce's gold shipments. Robbing the heavily fortified stagecoach, known as a "war wagon," won't be easy. But the payoff -- $500,000 in gold -- will be sweet payback indeed.

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Steve D

The supporting staff is strong but they can't save it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/24/23

Full Review

Carlos N

Sometimes a movie can be just silly enough to enjoy without having to declare it an Oscar contender. This is a fun movie about stealing the unstealable War Wagon, a Western versión of the genre that came later with the Thomas Crown Affair or The Italian job. Why overanalyze it when it is just fun to watch, acted by many of the days best, headlined by the Duke (Wayne) and Mr. Spartacus himself. (Douglas). Just sit back and grab some popcorn.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

james g

This feels flat, I am not sure why. It should have been better: John Wayne AND Kirk Douglas? Maybe neither wanted to be in a movie with the other.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

richard c

Nice performances cover for the sometimes shaky storyline.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

jeffrey g

This movie has always been a fun favorite. Just the right mix of drama, humor and light-hearted Western adventure. Many of these same actors will co-star with Wayne in The Hellfighters - another action-packed flick based on the life of Red Adair.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought it would be better given the intriguing cast, but I found it to be quite boring. (First and only viewing - 7/29/2020)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Burt Kennedy

Director

John Wayne

Taw Jackson

Kirk Douglas

Lomax

Howard Keel

Levi Walking Bear

Robert Walker Jr.

Billy Hyatt

Keenan Wynn

Wes Fletcher

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Pauline Kael

The New Republic

When it’s the tired comic spectacle of rich old men degrading themselves for more money and fame and power, does it much matter if it’s done poorly or with chic? In some ways the chic is more offensive.

Sep 20, 2023

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

The War Wagon is an entertaining, exciting western drama of revenge, laced with action and humor.

Oct 16, 2008

Full Review

Tom Milne

Time Out

No masterpiece, but very engaging.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Handled with care, allowing plenty of room to explore western traditions and allow the leading men an opportunity to trade barbs and suspicions as they attempt to out barrel-chest each other (spoiler: Douglas wins).

Rated: B-

Apr 20, 2014

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

John Wayne (in his 162nd film) joins forces with Kirk Douglas in this revenge Western that propagates rather dangerously vigilante justice, a theme Clint Eastwood will carry to an extreme in the Dirty Harry pictures.

Rated: B-

Jun 13, 2007

Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: 3/5

Mar 9, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Rancher Taw Jackson (John Wayne) is out for revenge. He was shot by a gunslinger, Lomax (Kirk Douglas), on the orders of mining tycoon Frank Pierce (Bruce Cabot) and framed for a crime he did not commit. Now out of prison, he teams up with former enemy Lomax for an elaborate heist targeted at one of Pierce's gold shipments. Robbing the heavily fortified stagecoach, known as a "war wagon," won't be easy. But the payoff -- $500,000 in gold -- will be sweet payback indeed.

Director: Burt Kennedy
Screenwriter: Clair Huffaker
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Polyphony Digital, Batjac Productions
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2014

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