Sur la piste de la grande caravane

This movie has always been a mystery to me. I loved it and chuckled to myself all the way through it, however, for some reason I have never been able to explain,it just does not work like it should.

Great cast from top to bottom, good charaterization and many good scenes and some others that just don't quite work. I love it anyway and watch my copy at least twice a year.

The Hallelujah Trail is a spoof of the type of epic Western epitomized by such movies as Cimarron (1960) and How the West Was Won (1962).

The miners, headquartered in Denver, are threatened by thirst. The town's whiskey stocks, for what is expected to be a long, cold winter, are dangerously low. A wagon train of teamsters, led by Brian Keith, is hired to deliver more whiskey. The temperance ladies, led by Lee Remick, are trying to stop the whiskey. The Native Americans, a key figure among whom we will get to shortly, are trying to steal the whiskey. The cavalry, led by Burt Lancaster as assisted by Jim Hutton, is trying to maintain order. This leads to what is recorded, in the annals of the comedy West, as the Battle of...well, that would be giving too much plot away.

There are three memorable performances, all in supporting roles. One comes from the unseen narrator, who helps to chronicle events with his resonant voice and his, uh, uh, special...insight. Another comes from Martin Landau (Crimes and Misdemeanors, the TV series Mission Impossible). Landau plays Walks Stooped Over, a Native American who, from his role in peace negotiations, also goes by the name Symbol of Good Faith. Then we get to the sterling performance, which should have drawn an Oscar nomination. It comes from Donald Pleasance (James Garner's nearly blind POW buddy in The Great Escape). Pleasance plays Oracle, a visionary Denverite who is able to foresee the future, except that he first requires, uh, uh, lubrication.

I can think of only two other movies of approximately the same genre. At the head of the class, of course, is It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963). The other is the Japanese movie, Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald (1997). Okay, maybe three other movies. The extra one being Airplane! (1980). That should give you an idea.

John Sturges created this film with tongue planted firmly in cheek. It's best enjoyed in its "letterbox' format, as it was shot in Ultra-Panavision, which at the time was being touted as the "new, improved" CINERAMA. Robert Surtees' photography is wide and wonderful and Elmer Bernstein's jaunty score highlights the film perfectly. Also, it's an opportunity to see four greats who have now passed on, Lancaster, Hutton, Remick, and Pleasance at the top of their craft.

I saw the movie when I was a very young man (20's) and absolutely loved its spirit. It was great to see seasoned actors playing their roles broadly and for laughs. It is very unusual to see Burt Lancaster blustering this much and Lee Remick is a perfect foil for him. A young Martin Landau has obvious fun in the role of the Indian guide. The gem of casting was Donald Pleasence as the hilarious visionary who "sees" the alcoholic wagon train as it crosses the plains, giving the movie its name.

A Western comedy about a shipment of alcohol and the various groups that want to, drink it, steal it, destroy it, guard it, and sell it. The ensemble cast is phenomenal and the comic timing is great. Burt Lancaster and Timothy Hutton are the Soldiers assigned to escort the alcohol to its final destination. Martin Landau is one of the indians trying to intercept and steal the firewater. Lee Remick and her band of women want the alcohol destroyed. Brian Keith is in charge of getting the shipment to Denver. Donald Pleasence the guide that leads a group of Denver Miners out to help get the precious cargo to town before the harsh winter storms set in. All parties meet in the middle of a dust-storm and craziness ensues. I've seen this movie more times than I can count. It ran on TV for numerous years but I haven't seen mention of it in some time. A classic Comedy if ever there was one. For a good clean barrel of laughs this film has it all.