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Poster for The Iron Horse

The Iron Horse

Seen it?

1925 | 149 min | Western, Drama, History, Romance

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (75% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Aimed squarely at people who like their stories with a little heart-flutter and anyone who likes stories from the past brought to life. Leaves you with something to think about. Same wavelength as Dances with Wolves or 3:10 to Yuma.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 29 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1925: an older pace and style.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

Brandon, a surveyor, dreams of building a railway to the west. He sets off with his son, Davy, to survey a route. They discover a new pass which will shave 200 miles off the expected distance, but they are set upon by a party of Cheyenne. One of them, a white renegade with only two fingers on his right hand, kills Brandon and scalps him. Davy is all alone now.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    75% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 14K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Ford

  • George O'BrienDavy Brandon
  • Madge BellamyMiriam Marsh
  • Charles Edward BullAbraham Lincoln
  • Cyril ChadwickJesson
  • Will WallingThomas Marsh
  • Francis PowersSergeant Slattery
  • J. Farrell MacDonaldCorporal Casey
  • Jim WelchPrivate Mackay
  • George WaggnerBuffalo Bill
  • Fred KohlerBauman