How the West Was Won
Seen it?1962 | 164 min | Western
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 3 Oscars, it earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite a box office loss. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for most people. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Easygoing.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 44 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 2 hr 44 min.
- Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The epic tale of the development of the American West from the 1830s through the Civil War to the end of the century, as seen through the eyes of one pioneer family.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 3 Oscars: Best Writing, Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Sound. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$77K worldwide on a $15 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 238K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall
- Carroll BakerEve Prescott Rawlings
- Lee J. CobbMarshal Lou Ramsey
- Henry FondaJethro Stuart
- Carolyn JonesJulie Rawlings
- Karl MaldenZebulon Prescott
- Gregory PeckCleve Van Valen
- George PeppardZeb Rawlings
- Robert PrestonRoger Morgan
- Debbie ReynoldsLilith Prescott
- James StewartLinus Rawlings