Watch Westward Ho the Wagons!

Westward Ho the Wagons! is a Western film from 1956 directed by William Beaudine and starring Fess Parker, Kathleen Crowley, and Jeff York. The movie is set in the 1840s when pioneers were traveling the Oregon Trail in search of a better life. It is a classic Disney adventure about a group of people who face many challenges on their journey to the West.

The film follows John Mason (Fess Parker), the wagon master who leads a group of settlers, including a wagon train of circus performers, across the Rocky Mountains. John is a skilled leader and has a deep respect for the nature that surrounds them. He is constantly on the lookout for potential dangers and tries to keep the travelers out of harm's way.

The movie starts with John and his team arriving in St. Joseph, Missouri, where they meet the circus performers who want to join the wagon train. The group includes a circus owner, Otto (Sebastian Cabot), his daughter, Fleurette (Kathleen Crowley), and a variety of colorful characters – a tightrope walker, a clown, and a strongman.

As they travel west, the group encounters obstacles such as rough terrain, treacherous river crossings, and hostile Native American tribes. The wagons are attacked several times, and the travelers have to fight to protect themselves and their belongings. Along the way, John develops a romantic interest in Fleurette, who is reluctant to leave her comfortable life as a circus performer.

The movie also explores the theme of friendship and loyalty. We see how the different characters in the group interact with each other and how they come to rely on each other during their journey. There is a particular bond between John and Charlie (Jeff York), a former trapper who joins the wagon train to escape his past. Charlie is fiercely loyal to John and helps him to navigate the dangers of the trail.

Westward Ho the Wagons! is a family-friendly film that is both exciting and educational. It gives us a glimpse into what life was like for pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail in the mid-19th century. The movie is also notable for its stunning landscapes, which were shot on location in Utah's Wasatch Mountains.

The film's cast is excellent, and Fess Parker gives a strong performance as the heroic wagon master. He brings a sense of authority and experience to the role, making John Mason a character we can root for. Kathleen Crowley is also great as Fleurette, bringing warmth and humor to her character.

One of the highlights of the movie is the scene where the wagons cross a river surrounded by rocks and rapids. The sequence is well-shot and conveys the sense of danger and excitement that the pioneers would have experienced. Another memorable scene is when the wagons are attacked by Native Americans, and the travelers have to fight to defend themselves.

Overall, Westward Ho the Wagons! is an entertaining and engaging Western film that is perfect for the whole family. It combines action, drama, and comedy, and has a great cast and beautiful scenery. The movie is a reminder of the courage and perseverance of the pioneers who settled the American West and is a testament to the timeless appeal of the Western genre.

Westward Ho the Wagons! is a 1956 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.