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The War Wagon Photos

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Movie Info

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.

Genre:

western
Original Language:

English
Director:

Burt Kennedy
Producer:

Marvin Schwartz
Release Date (Streaming):

Apr 1, 2014
Runtime:

1h 41m
Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Cast & Crew

John Wayne
Taw Jackson

Kirk Douglas
Lomax

Howard Keel
Levi Walking Bear

Robert Walker
Billy Hyatt

Keenan Wynn
Wes Fletcher

Bruce Cabot
Pierce

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The War Wagon

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (1)

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

October 16, 2008 | Full Review…

Variety Staff
Variety
No masterpiece, but very engaging.

January 26, 2006 | Full Review…

Tom Milne
Time Out
It's not a bad picture, just obvious.

May 9, 2005 | Full Review…

Bosley Crowther
New York Times
The War Wagon is that comparative rarity, a Western filmed with quiet good humor. It is also a point of departure for John Wayne, who plays a bad guy for just about the first time in his career.

October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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).

April 20, 2014 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Brian Orndorf
Blu-ray.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.

June 13, 2007 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Quote not available.

March 9, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
Lame, late-in-the-day Wayne actioner.

January 21, 2004 | Rating: 2/5

Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Together, Wayne and Douglas are adept at keeping the dialog light and the action fast.

November 20, 2003 | Full Review…

Tony Mastroianni
Cleveland Press
Quote not available.

November 13, 2003 | Rating: 3/5

Tony Toscano
Talking Pictures (U.S.)

View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for The War Wagon

Apr 17, 2011

A very enjoyable western, with Wayne in his usual top form, and Kirk Douglas with an on-screen charisma that is able to match the Duke. Definitely worth checking out, look for it on HD movie net.

Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
Jul 01, 2010

I just really love this movie, two of my favorite actors sharing the screen together in a buddy western. John Wayne and Kirk Douglas are so great together and really make things so much fun, every joke and banter lands perfectly. The plot is really cool, a heist on a battle wagon, it doesn't get much better than that. It's an easy flowing movie that is lovable down to the core.

Conner R Super Reviewer
Mar 22, 2010

Great Western. The Duke seeks revenge on a ruthless mine owner who had him framed and sent to prison. He plans to do so by stealing his gold. The War Wagon is great fun with plenty of exciting action and constant comic relief. The interplay between Wayne and Douglas was sharp and sarcastic, making them an entertaining duo Overall well worth checking out.

Jonny C Super Reviewer
Jan 22, 2009

It might not be great cinema but it's great fun!

Randy T Super Reviewer