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Actors: John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Bruce Cabot, Keenan Wynn
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about The War Wagon |
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Filmed in 1967, one of John Wayne's later westerns. John Wayne plays Taw Jackson, a recently released convicted felon. He returns to his old haunts in New Mexico where he once owned a ranch. Everything is now owned by Pierce, played by Bruce Cabot, including the marshall. Pierce also owns Jackson's property. Since he was gone, Pierce discovered gold on the property and is now mining it. Jackson figures that Pierce obtained his property illegally so does not have the gold legally either. He decides to rob Pierce. He can't do it at the mine, there are too many people around. He figures to rob the gold dust while it is in transport to the bank. But the "war wagon" is an iron coach guarded by three dozen men. How can he get the gold? He gathers four other men and figures they can do the job. Kirk Douglas plays the wise-cracking Lomax, an expert in safe-cracking. Levi is an Indian who gets his friends to play a role. Billy is an expert with explosives. And Keenan Wynn is an employee of Pierce's who is always hauling material for him, but always steals from him. He can be loyal to Jackson and haul away the gold without suspicion. But first they have to overcome a far superior force. Can they do it?
--BethG, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of The War Wagon |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 30%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10%
Time/Era of Movie:
- 19th century
Western
Yes
Kind of western:
- prospecting/locating gold
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- accused criminal
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- short/standard straight (man)
Body type
- average (man)
Events of movie makes character more...
- happy
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average build (man)
Unclothed?
- chest
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- businessman, small
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 40%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Southwest
Desert?
Yes
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- non-gory references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- challenged
How many deaths in film?
- 8 or more
How much use of techno gadgets?
- 1 (None)
Kind of violence:
- guns
Any profanity?
- None
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 BethG
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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