A star studded Westerm. this one casts actos in roles they usually don’t play. It is a larger than life look at a larger than life wagon leader who is like a tragic Shakespearean king. His descent into madness is slowly ralized by those around him. The subplots all weave together to make this a true classic.
The characters are all very believable, including the one who becomes the noblest and most honorable, yet for all practical purposes, never appears; the Native American chief whose son was killed by a member of the train. Instead of wiping out the entire party, the chief only requires justice. He is possibly the grandest character in any Western ever made. And it really falls into place.
This is an action packed movie, with adventure every step of the way, and great scenery, mixed in with everyday drama.
This movie works. One of the lost classics.