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The Way West

The Way West

Action · Adventure · Drama · 1967

In the mid-19th century, Senator William J. Tadlock leads a group of settlers overland in a quest to start a new settlement in the Western US. Tadlock is a highly principled and demanding taskmaster who is as hard on himself as he is on those who have joined his wagon train. He clashes with one of the new settlers, Lije Evans, who doesn't quite appreciate Tadlock's ways. Along the way, the families must face death and heartbreak and a sampling of frontier justice when one of them accidentally kills a young Indian boy.

Movie details

The Way West

“Cracking Like a Whip From Here to Excitement!”

1967 Action · Adventure · Drama 2h 2m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.1 / 10

Community rating

In the mid-19th century, Senator William J. Tadlock leads a group of settlers overland in a quest to start a new settlement in the Western US. Tadlock is a highly principled and demanding taskmaster who is as hard on himself as he is on those who have joined his wagon train. He clashes with one of the new settlers, Lije Evans, who doesn't quite appreciate Tadlock's ways. Along the way, the families must face death and heartbreak and a sampling of frontier justice when one of them accidentally kills a young Indian boy.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Way West?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Where it lives

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Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Andrew V. McLaglen

Written by

Ben Maddow · Mitch Lindemann

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas

Sen. William J. Tadlock

Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum

Dick Summers

Richard Widmark

Richard Widmark

Lije Evans

Lola Albright

Lola Albright

Rebecca 'Becky' Evans

Jack Elam

Jack Elam

Preacher Weatherby

Stubby Kaye

Stubby Kaye

Sam Fairman

Michael McGreevey

Michael McGreevey

Brownie Evans

Court is in session

Put The Way West on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.