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Stagecoach

Play trailer Poster for Stagecoach 1939 1h 36m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
John Ford's landmark Western revolves around an assorted group of colorful passengers aboard the Overland stagecoach bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico, in the 1880s. An alcoholic philosophizer (Thomas Mitchell), a lady of ill repute (Claire Trevor) and a timid liquor salesman (Donald Meek) are among the motley crew of travelers who must contend with an escaped outlaw, the Ringo Kid (John Wayne), and the ever-present threat of an Apache attack as they make their way across the Wild West.
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Stagecoach

Stagecoach

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Critics Consensus

Typifying the best that the Western genre has to offer, Stagecoach is a rip-roaring adventure given dramatic heft by John Ford's dynamic direction and John Wayne's mesmerizing star turn.

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Critics Reviews

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John C. Mosher The New Yorker Aug 15, 2022
For the sake of the view, you forgive all. In Stagecoach, the view is certainly something, and it hardly matters at all what goes on. The credit for the valuable things in this film unquestionably belongs to the cameramen. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Feb 18, 2020
Directorially, production is John Ford in peak form, sustaining interest and suspense throughout, and presenting exceptional characterizations. Picture is a display of photographic grandeur. Go to Full Review TIME Staff TIME Magazine Feb 18, 2020
The rugged background of Monument Valley, Ariz..., the admirable pace given to the screen play by Writer Dudley Nichols and Director John Ford, the unostentatious acting of a well-chosen cast make it one of the season's most satisfactory pictures. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 10, 2025
4/4
Stagecoach raised the genre from being routinely dismissed as the home of lightweight matinee fodder to the realm of artistic works capable of complex characterizations and profound psychology. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Jul 30, 2020
8/10
The characters are interesting, the politics and social class discord intriguing, and the action-oriented cinematography above standard. Go to Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times Feb 18, 2020
5/5
Everything about this picture is perfection. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Arthur T @RT27299220 Aug 24, 2026 One of my best movies when I was young. Star cast and excellent filmmaking for its day. See more bruce F @bruce999 Aug 15, 2026 nicely done classic western. fun, exciting. face indians, or your enemy ? See more David M @RT67300336 Jul 24, 2026 The Drunk guy was lowkey funny See more Robert B @Zoidmeister Jul 1, 2026 Although as a child and adolescent I loved anything John Wayne did, but as I grew politically my taste changed universally, that being said the 1939 Stagecoach remains an absolute classic, as John Ford might criticize some of Wayne’s acting there was host of other wonderful actors giving great performances, and the script was so good that a cadre of newcomers would have given good performances considering the directives- definitely a gem of the golden year of the golden age of cinema. See more Drew D. @Roadwarrior52 Jun 23, 2026 The pacing is very good, and although it paints Apache natives in a somewhat negative light, John Ford’s classic western is one of the most important films in cinema. See more Daulton C @DaultonC Mar 5, 2026 This is the first inductee on the "Western Mount Rushmore". Easily transcends almost a century later. See more Read all reviews
Stagecoach

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Cast & Crew

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John Ford

Director

John Wayne

The Ringo Kid aka Henry

Claire Trevor

Dallas

Andy Devine

Buck

John Carradine

Hatfield

Thomas Mitchell

Dr. Josiah Boone

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Stagecoach

Stagecoach (1939) Stagecoach (1939) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis John Ford's landmark Western revolves around an assorted group of colorful passengers aboard the Overland stagecoach bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico, in the 1880s. An alcoholic philosophizer (Thomas Mitchell), a lady of ill repute (Claire Trevor) and a timid liquor salesman (Donald Meek) are among the motley crew of travelers who must contend with an escaped outlaw, the Ringo Kid (John Wayne), and the ever-present threat of an Apache attack as they make their way across the Wild West.
Director
John Ford
Producer
John Ford
Screenwriter
Ernest Haycox, Dudley Nichols, Ben Hecht
Distributor
UCLA Film and Television Archive [us], Warner Home Vídeo, United Artists
Production Co
Walter Wanger Productions, Inc.
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 2, 1939, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 29, 2011
Runtime
1h 36m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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