Le convoi des braves

Original title: Wagon Master

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Two young drifters guide a Mormon wagon train to the San Juan Valley and encounter cutthroats, Indians, geography, and moral challenges on the journey.Two young drifters guide a Mormon wagon train to the San Juan Valley and encounter cutthroats, Indians, geography, and moral challenges on the journey.Two young drifters guide a Mormon wagon train to the San Juan Valley and encounter cutthroats, Indians, geography, and moral challenges on the journey.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

5.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
In the scene where Travis (Ben Johnson) gets bucked off his horse after Denver (Joanne Dru) throws water on it, Ben Johnson did his own stunts. They used a genuine rodeo bucking horse and John Ford promised Johnson if he rode the horse, he would not have to do any dialogue for the day, which apparently pleased Johnson. He lasted four bucks and came off so hard, he was almost knocked out. Unfortunately, the shot was ruined by one of the wranglers running out to him and asking if he was all right as he lay on the ground. Johnson had to get up and ride the horse again. This time he lasted ten bucks before he bailed off, and Ford got his shot.

Goofs
While the peaceful Mormon homesteaders may not have been carrying sidearms, that they would also not have rifles and shotguns (for hunting and protection from animals) seems unlikely. Certainly 19th century Mormons didn't have an aversion to firearms - one of the greatest gun designers in history, John M. Browning, was a practicing Mormon.

Quotes
Uncle Shiloh Clegg: You boys ever draw on anybody?
Travis Blue: No, sir. Just snakes.
[later, after Travis shoots Clegg]
Elder Wiggs: I thought you never drew on a man?
Travis Blue: That's right, sir. Only on snakes.

Connections
Edited into Trail Guide (1952)

Soundtracks
WAGONS WEST
Words and Music by Stan Jones
Recorded by Sons of the Pioneers (as The Sons of the Pioneers)
Sung (behind credits) by the Sons of the Pioneers (uncredited)

User reviews67

Featured review

8/10

First-rate Western masterfully directed by the great John Ford

This is a great Western drama, John Ford's lusty successor to 'Fort Apache' and 'She wore yellow ribbon'. Two drifters named Travis Blue (Ben Johnson ) and Sandy Owens (Harry Carey Jr ) are hired by leaders of a Mormons congregation (Ward Bond, Russell Simpson) as wagon masters of an expedition toward Utah frontier. They must guide a religious caravan throughout a dangerous rout formerly initiated by Brigham Young from Illinois-Utah. Along the way they meet a trio of drunks (Alan Mowbray, Joanne Dru) and some bandits(Charles Kemper, James Arness, Hank Worden) who are compared to snakes . Meanwhile Travis falls in love with Denver and the wagon train heading for the promised land.

This classic picture ranks as one of the best of John Ford's work. It contains Ford's usual themes as a community decided to build the civilization on a virgin territory, friendship and comradeship among people and ample shots while wagons run over prairies and mountains filmed at Monument Valley and Professor Valley. Interesting screenplay by Frank S Nugent and Patrick Ford, booth of whom are John Ford's habitual. Excellent starring cast as Ben Johnson - formerly remembered as the sergeant in 'she wore a yellow ribbon' , here his first main role and years later achieved the best supporting actor Academy Award for 'The last Picture Show' -, he is awesome as roaming cowhand who join a congregation migrating West. Good cinematography by Bert Glennon and Archie Stout reflecting splendidly marvelous outdoors. Emotive score by Richard Hageman with wonderful songs by Stan Jones played by Sons of Pioneers. The movie is stunningly produced by Merian C Cooper - Argosy Pictures Production- and magnificently filmed by Ford with direction assistant by Cliff Lyons. Inspired the later successful TV series titled 'Wagon train' starred by Ward Bond and some episode directed by Ford. Avoid a horrible version shown in computer-colored. Rating : Very good, better than average.