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Stagecoach

Stagecoach

1939
Romance, Drama
1h 36m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 66.59% from 1620 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1620)
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Rated 14 Jun 2007
4
70th
John Wayne kinda comes off as this old, gruffy unlikeable bastard, so it was refreshing to see him as a young, clean-shaven, personable guy. This is one of the most archetypal westerns I've ever seen. Before I saw it I was already familiar with it, because it's been so thoroughly absorbed into the genre. There isn't a great amount of character here, but the story is nice, the direction and photography are excellent, the action and romance are exciting and entertaining. Lots of fun.
Rated 12 May 2019
80
83rd
Although, while the thought of horses, cowboy hats, and dusty landscapes still makes me quite drowsy, I'll have to eat a bit of crow since I surprisingly enjoyed this 'quintessential' western so much. Something made the movie feel super familiar, despite my lack of exposure to westerns. Maybe it was all the classic western tropes the film built from, or the new ones it established that later got re-used over the decades, but the movie captured a distilled universal essence of the genre for me.
Rated 25 Jun 2017
75
84th
Stagecoach set a new benchmark for westerns, but despite the protestations of synchophants and acolytes, it is neither a top tier genre entry nor is it close Ford's best work. There is more depth than commonly assumed--much of its meaning is communicated via subtle gestures and glances--and the interaction between the motley assemblage of stock characters surprisingly holds interest. Wayne shines in a breakout role, and Ford clearly demonstrates his increasing knack for visual storytelling.
Rated 16 Aug 2010
80
81st
I have had no experience with pre-Clintwood westerns, but Stagecoach was a surprising amount of fun. The premise is simple but effective, the cast is varied and colorful (but not that well developed), and it ends with a decent Apache showdown. Satisfying and entertaining.
Rated 15 Apr 2013
75
54th
The build is terrific as everyone knows there is a risk of danger waiting in the mountain range between point A and point B. Simple. The slow burn allows us to sit back and get accustomed to the characters. If only the characters had more consistent definition. Only drunk Doc Boone shines through as a well rounded character. Wayne is more tolerable than other roles & the first shot of him is the best camerawork in the film. It rings in with panache and presence. That's how you make an entrance!
Rated 27 Dec 2012
78
69th
Does a great job at being both an ensemble piece and a straight-up western. Lacks a certain grit that later westerns excelled at, but it provides some great humor and tension to make up for that. Thomas Mitchell is a highlight.
Rated 23 Oct 2007
90
88th
Love the pacing, the cinematography, and the characterizations that set the archetypes for Westerns for years to come. The cast of misfits and criminals that are carried along toward danger and almost certain death in the stage make for compelling dramatic pieces, particularly as Ford limits the dialog. However, the final chase across the salt flats is where this movie really shines--fabulous stunts, great camerawork, and superb editing.
Rated 25 Dec 2020
80
80th
There’s a strong cast and mix of characters - Mitchell’s drunken Doc Boone is a particular highlight - but this is undeniably John Wayne’s show, with his charismatic breakout role paving the way for over three decades of cowboy superstardom. The story is a little simplistic and the climax resolved too neatly, but fine dialogue and Ford’s tight direction ensure solid entertainment from start to finish.
Rated 29 Aug 2007
90
86th
One of the two or three greatest Western pictures ever made; and one that still offers surprises (not the least of which is a geuinely pleasing Love Story) all these years later. If for no other reason, watch this to learn the meaning and the value of the Supporting Actor . . . and reflect on what we've lost.
Rated 07 Oct 2010
74
53rd
Great fun, even if the story is rather simple. The apache attack scene is one of the best action scenes of all time, especially for its insane stunts. Thomas Mitchell as the drunk doctor is also top-notch.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
68
63rd
A classic and influential Western, but not one I love personally. Nonetheless there is plenty to admire, including some stellar photography and good performances. Technically still impressive in many ways, but the writing and set pieces feel dated.
Rated 01 May 2010
0
4th
Terrible. The 20 minutes before John Wayne is introduced are painful to watch, a bunch of shitty characters that no one should care about cracking lame jokes and talking about nothing. Really bad. I keep hoping to find what others see in John Ford but in actuality he doesn't seem to be very good. Very overpraised and I really can't understand why, if you want a good western you shouldn't look to this film for it.
Rated 10 Dec 2016
7
49th
Renowned to this day for birthing the "modern" Western, 'Stagecoach' still mostly stands the test of time thanks to its fun cast of characters, Ford's direction, and an effective action climax.
Rated 19 Jul 2010
90
92nd
There's just so much to love here; every character is as fleshed out as they need to be, and most have enough elements left unsaid to keep them interesting the whole way. John Carradine is perfect, from his performance to his suave costume and every single frame he's on the screen. The cinematography is consistently beautiful but not overwhelming. While the film's tone tends to range from amusingly light to terribly dark, it just fits. Its iconic status is more than deserved.
Rated 19 Oct 2011
76
60th
Doesn't really have much depth to it but it's still a very exciting and well made film. The climatic chase scene has some extraordinary stunts.
Rated 27 Nov 2009
6
70th
I personally hate John Wayne. His persona he plays in just about every film is indescribably annoying. However I must admit that here, although he's still stiff as a board, his character is actually likable.
Rated 24 Mar 2017
90
33rd
"There are some things a man just can't run away from." The prostitute, the outlaw, the alcoholic doctor, the slow-witted driver, the gambler, the marshal, the whiskey drummer, the egotistical banker and the pregnant lady, these are the characters that make up 'Stagecoach', the film that spawned the western talkies that made John Ford the auteur he is regarded as today. A prototype western like no other, and the thought that went into executing it make it one of the finest films of the 1930's.
Rated 31 Dec 2016
80
63rd
I've never been much of a fan of the Western genre. I didn't grow up when those movies were king and my dad never really showed them to me indicating that he was a fan either. Stagecoach, on the other hand, is a Western that nearly anybody can enjoy. The story is universal, so much so that its been copied from here to tomorrow and it is a copy of a million other stories of rag-tag groups of people who set out on a mission only to be encountered by some kind of trouble.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
23rd
Overrated.
Rated 04 May 2009
80
86th
A true classic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
11th
I don't understand the popularity and praise for Stagecoach.
Rated 08 Apr 2016
78
58th
This is apparently the film that helped helped Westerns be taken seriously as a genre, and all the familiar tropes are here: the hooker with a heart of gold, the racist stereotypes of Native Americans, the gruff but morally decent outlaw anti-hero, the shootout on main street, the Monument Valley backdrop etc. Of note is the stuntwork, still impressive by modern standards, and the quickly paced editing, making it a film that moves lightning fast by 1939-standards.
Rated 03 Dec 2011
60
72nd
A true old-fashioned western. The cavalry comes charging to the rescue at the last minute and the hero and his girl ride off into the sunset. You have to like the old stuff to appreciate it, but it's worth a watch.
Rated 02 Jun 2009
4
74th
The first elevation of the western genre, and indeed a leap forward for all action adventure cinema. This deft blend of melodrama, action, and comedy is still a lot of fun to watch, and it's something of a photographic powerhouse. Unfortunate, though, that its progressive consideration of inequity stops short of sympathy for native tribes.
Rated 30 Apr 2009
79
70th
Some of the dialogue hasn't aged too well but it's still a damn good watch.
Rated 11 Apr 2011
88
87th
Never mind that Ford seems gleefully oblivious to the most basic rules of cross cutting (even in Wayne's historic entrance) - everything else is dynamite. Ford's economy of filmmaking gives the simplest characters and situations the illusion of depth, and his pacing is energetic - so what is stale becomes fresh. Besides introducing his trademark saunter, Wayne's entire filmic persona can be summed up by his line, "Sorry. No silver cups."
Rated 23 Aug 2016
92
89th
The chase scene aside (which was fantastic), Stagecoach survives on the strengths of its characters, and those characters are so very often strong. My personal favorite were Ringo Kid (John Wayne) and Dallas (Claire Trevor). Ford's direction was also delightful - albeit, I am still trying to figure out why he made the characters look massive when filming them indoors.
Rated 06 Oct 2018
85
92nd
The classic western. It might seem stale since many other classics have adapted the tropes, but it holds up today. Great cinematography.
Rated 02 Apr 2019
7
84th
Compared to The Big Trail the framing is more simplistic, but in all other ways - its editing rhythms, naturalistic performances, and especially the composition of its final action scene - it feels thirty years more modern. So much of the DNA of the western and the adventure movie for decades to come is found right here, in the black and white expanse of Monument Valley. The extended denouncement in the town at the end does a feel a little anticlimactic after the wagon chase.
Rated 28 Feb 2020
84
73rd
The protypical action/disaster film with a band of distinctive character actors thrown together and battling the odds is still an enjoyable journey many years later, obviously giving Wayne his first major spotlighting (what an entrance!), and also featuring some wryly sophisticated comic relief from an amusing Mitchell (in the role McLaglen would play to irritating effect in later Fords). All builds to the stunning third act chase scene - MAD MAX eat your heart out! A rollicking good time.
Rated 22 Nov 2020
69
58th
I've decided to dig into classic Westerns a bit and figured this was as good a place to start as any. I always assumed this was a "lone cowboy" tale, so it was a nice surprise to get a cast of characters whose internal clashes drove things as much as the external threats.
Rated 24 May 2007
75
44th
Good movie with few flaws besides the incredibly annoying stagecoach driver. That said, there's little to really make the film special. The acting is very good at times, but bad at others, the cinematography shows some flashes of brilliance but is usually just ok, and while there are some intriguing dynamics between the characters they don't really feel fleshed out.
Rated 11 Aug 2011
63
19th
Hardly worth a mention, and not worth a watch. This movie is over rated, boring, and no one brought their "A" game. If this was the best that the western genre brought to the the table (and it's not), then it's no wonder the genre is now an endangered species.
Rated 01 Mar 2008
95
92nd
# 101
Rated 17 Apr 2007
90
92nd
# 99
Rated 27 Sep 2010
69
77th
ger; [Ringo; Höllenfahrt nach Santa Fé]; ein verhafteter mann soll in einer postkutsche zu einem gefängnis gebracht werden, die apachen erschweren dieses vorhaben und ringo will am ende noch an drei mördern rache nehmen.;
Rated 25 Nov 2011
25
4th
Still haven't found a John Wayne movie I can even half-way enjoy.
Rated 22 Jun 2012
87
86th
A Western that does practically everything right. Although some characters can annoy, the moral ambiguity of the screenplay makes them seem very human and very real (especially characters like Greenwood who don't seem all that uncommon today). John Wayne's onscreen introduction perfectly marks the rise of his legendary career. The editing and score make for a gripping nail-biter of a third act with amazing stunts. Everyone should see this.
Rated 10 Apr 2017
86
61st
The prostitute, the outlaw, the alcoholic doctor, the slow-witted driver, the gambler, the marshal, the whiskey drummer, the egotistical banker and the pregnant lady, these are the characters that make up 'Stagecoach', the film that spawned the western talkies that made John Ford the auteur he is regarded as today, a prototype western like no other, and the thought that went into executing it make it one of the finest films of the 1930's.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
82
65th
Classic John Wayne movie that is one of the only ones in his extensive catalog that can stand up against Clint Eastwood's best.
Rated 24 Feb 2016
17
93rd
Star Rating: ★★★★1/2
Rated 08 Jun 2013
90
59th
A journey of combines different sects of society
Rated 13 Apr 2016
93
94th
(...) Das Bild der Native Americans im Film ist unaufgeklärt. Indianer sind schlicht die mörderischen Wilden. Die Frage, ob die Weissen ihnen ihr Land genommen haben, stellt sich nie. Ford sollte dieses Bil in den folgenden 25 Jahren hinterfragen und ins Gegenteil verkehren. Im Jahr 1939 aber teilte er diese simple Perspektive mit allen anderen Western(...)
Rated 30 Nov 2011
96
92nd
#81
Rated 23 Jan 2012
70
42nd
posta arabasi, kizilderililer, western, jerenimo, serif, yolculuk
Rated 23 Feb 2017
85
93rd
This is a classic movie, a road trip movie. The characters are interesting and well done, the acting is incredible and the action is really amazing, the stuntmen of that era where really incredible I was on the edge of the seat for the most part of the chasing scene.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
96
92nd
83
Rated 09 Jan 2011
70
69th
"Stagecoach" is interesting throughout but almost never thrills. It is certainly a well-directed film, with stunning photography and very good performances but is sadly unable of becoming fascinating despite the fine script, the most notable aspect of which are the characters.
Rated 24 Oct 2015
85
89th
Impressively well-done battle scene at the end.
Rated 07 Feb 2007
77
66th
Good pacing and some excellent photography. But man, I really can't stand Andy Devine and some of the comedic elements were downright hokey. Aside from that, though, Wayne is great, Mitchell is occasionally very charming and usually tolerable, and the whole thing is pretty entertaining.
Rated 09 Feb 2017
65
45th
It's fine. There are some genuinely great moments and very good acting but the film gets dragged on by some bad humor and a few poorly written characters. I liked the message regarding what is basically a class structure in Old West times. It's a theme that shows up in a few but most Westerns don't do it as well as this one.
Rated 29 Nov 2009
52
31st
Despite being very influential to future Westerns, I can't really call this required watching. Aside from the chase scene, there's nothing that truly stands out. And ho ho, the doc really likes to drink! - we got it after the 20th time you showed us!
Rated 12 May 2015
90
99th
Stagecoach, John Ford's masterpiece which single-handedly saved the western from it's wretched 1930s faith! A film most with an ounce of movie-interest have seen. Fantastic creation on every aspect, which doesn't sugarcoat it's troubled characters, discovering the humans in them, while visualizing a realistic west. Easily among the Top-10 most important movies to have been made in the 1930s. In other words: Stagecoach (1939) is a total rediscovery of the western.
Rated 02 Mar 2010
80
81st
watched: 2010, 2013
Rated 29 May 2012
68
14th
Wayne not as terrible as usual, and great visually, but man, this exemplifies everything which gives classic westerns such a bad rap.
Rated 24 Feb 2013
85
80th
Excellent stuff - from the characterisations and how enjoyable they are to spend time with, to the sense of humour, to the young John Wayne's plucky, outspoken charm in his role as the recaptured prison-escapee Ringo Kid, to the equally great performance as Dallas by Claire Trevor, to how charming and genuinely satisfying the romance between these two ostracised folks is, to the beauty of Monument Valley in all its starkness and towering majesty. And then the chase scene comes - wow!
Rated 18 Feb 2012
80
84th
Wow, this really improved upon a rewatch. A tight, enjoyable and witty script back by some pretty good acting. Half the fun is just seeing how the characters will act react, John Carradine as Hatfield being a pretty unsung hero in this respect. Also the action scenes are awesome, if you didn't know already.
Rated 22 Sep 2013
90
99th
89.500
Rated 21 Nov 2016
76
52nd
More interesting in how influential it was than it is good
Rated 15 Aug 2014
90
92nd
One of the best casts ever. Each actor creates a unique, fun character, and they have wonderful chemistry together. Thomas Mitchel is especially memorable as the drunk but well-meaning doctor. And John Wayne doesn't bug me here nearly as much as he usually does. The dialog is clever and downright funny at times, and the climactic Apache attack is legitimately thrilling. This is an all around great Golden Age western.
Rated 09 Dec 2008
80
44th
Slow, but with a really awesome chase at the end. And you can't go wrong with John Wayne and John Ford.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
50
35th
Classic western.
Rated 27 Feb 2011
80
72nd
would've given this a higher rating if they eased off on their attempts at humour.
Rated 04 Jul 2013
50
67th
Pretty much perfectly crafted, but not really my thing.
Rated 09 Apr 2014
82
54th
Was impressed by the characterization given to the minor characters, but the main plot line was just too archetypical - though I do realize it created the archetypes - for me to really care that much.
Rated 13 Jan 2010
96
92nd
83
Rated 23 Feb 2019
90
77th
89.50
Rated 14 May 2012
83
62nd
STAGECOACH might not be the immortal masterpiece some have hailed it as, but it's a very solid archetypal Western nonetheless. Dudley Nichols' script is fairly heavy-handed both in dialogue and characterization, but the acting is strong all around; Thomas Mitchell is good (and won an Oscar) as the drunk Doc Boone, while John Wayne, as the Ringo Kid, became an instant star. John Ford's direction shines, as does Bert Glennon's rich cinematography and the Oscar-winning score.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
55
31st
There's a lot to admire about Ford's filmmaking chops, and I enjoy sittin there watching how he blocks and paces the scene. I think I dislike the themes and how they're portrayed, which are tainted by a certain adolescence. I can't dig the Wayne.
Rated 05 Jun 2008
90
84th
John Wayne in one of his first films! He is the west! He is the Hero!
Rated 16 Dec 2017
86
81st
Seen 2x
Rated 20 Jun 2022
40
3rd
Somepartsikindacared
Rated 08 Feb 2010
90
83rd
The Dudley Nichols screenplay is a little too pat to make this a classic, but the acting and direction are very good. John Carradine, Claire Trevor and Thomas Mitchell are particularly fine.
Rated 15 Jan 2012
60
43rd
Westerns have to be something special for me to really like them. I guess it was good, but I couldn't really get into it. Parts in the middle were just boring to me. The climactic action scene was pretty cool though.
Rated 24 Aug 2013
95
93rd
I don't care who you are, this movie is awesome. Pretty much created and perfected the western formula in one swoop. Especially notable are the unfocused bravura of John Wayne's entrance and the straight ahead excitement of the chase scene.
Rated 10 Dec 2008
50
38th
Despite the high esteem in which I hold the genre, I've seen alarmingly few westerns. This still manages to back up my every assumption about the genre. It feels more like an ensemble film rather than it focusing on the main character, but everything else you'd expect is here. Good characters, with the semi-witty dialog between them making up most of the film, and beautiful scenery shots making up the rest. By far not perfect, but enjoyable. Too predictable by today's standards.
Rated 21 Jul 2010
83
41st
Obviously not the strongest western, but arguably among the important ones. Despite the praise heaped upon it, I'm not sure of how I feel about the structure. Regardless of all that, a very enjoyable ride.
Rated 12 Aug 2014
85
68th
Ford plays on the lurid diversions of the western: the substance of myth, with concentrated psychology and social editorial lugged through human exchanges and fleeting looks. Stagecoach turns trendy amusement into cinematic balladry.
Rated 27 Dec 2010
89
89th
88.750
Rated 24 Mar 2007
71
37th
The characters are annoyingly one-note. There wasn't much depth to the film at all, and all the plot threads resolved themselves quite predictably. But there were some whiz-bang action scenes, and a few nice shots. The setup reminded me vaguely of The Lady Vanishes, with everyone having their own motives for wanting the coach to move forward or stop, and ultimately uniting against a common enemy. A somewhat flawed, but generally enjoyable film.
Rated 04 Feb 2010
50
38th
Too many plot lines considering that John Wayne's is the only one worth caring about. The chase is kind of amazing with genuinely thrilling stunt work.
Rated 04 Mar 2018
85
66th
Impressive stuntwork during the climax. Score is a highlight.
Rated 03 May 2019
80
18th
Classic John Ford. Easy to see some of the elements of this film in his other movies
Rated 25 May 2019
84
84th
What makes this western work so well is that it's a psychological drama and romance movie that just happens to be a western. It gives more depth to the shootouts and action later.
Rated 13 Jun 2019
100
96th
This film is all about the action climax, and it's magnificent. It's comparable to the final chase in "The Road Warrior", which it clearly influenced, in the sense that you can really tell that people are putting their lives on the line to create an amazing sequence (unfortunately in this case some of them are horses). 80 years later, this is still thrilling.
Rated 02 Feb 2020
65
45th
A romantic drama & character study carefully wrapped up as a western, it features strong performances & strong characters, with a good balance of humor, heart, drama & action. The dynamic between the various personalities & the tension created as a result of their close-quarters journey is very enjoyable to watch, & the development of the core romance is well done. For me, though, the third act dragged & took me out of it a little, & I didn't quite get some plot points. Still, a solid watch.
Rated 06 Jul 2020
68
16th
Entertaining, but too many characters. Great stunts. Lucky luke vibe.
Rated 25 Aug 2020
80
76th
Before John Wayne became a piece of wood
Rated 13 Mar 2021
40
8th
I guess the moral of the story is that the best team-building exercise for white Americans is shooting up Native Americans.
Rated 19 May 2021
72
92nd
A western road trip with drama that's driven by looming violence. I liked how Ford paired the characters into cliques for small conflicts and then shifted them. The first of several John Wayne/John Ford films that helped create the "Cowboy Code." That code affected an entire generation of American males.
Rated 20 Jan 2022
78
78th
It's a decent western with a strong story and interesting characters. Especially the coach driver was memorable with his slightly breaking voice and his goofy but lovable attitude. The actual coach journey was the most compelling part but the last bit after that seemed like it belonged in a different movie and didn't really do much for me. Overall it's still a very solid film with nice performances with some fairly daring views, for its time, about social issues. (But not native Americans.)
Rated 22 Feb 2022
95
80th
Great acting, interesting cinematography, and archetypal, mythic conflict. A great popcorn movie. And, of course, settler unity in the face of Indigenous resistance.
Rated 24 Oct 2022
90
16th
john waynes breakthrough, i really liked. undoubtedly an extremely influential movie for obvious reasons. a john ford masterpiece in storytelling.
Rated 20 Dec 2022
80
75th
If you had a weird voice and lived in this era, you probably had so much work as an actor. John Wayne is an ally to sex workers.
Rated 28 Feb 2023
95
98th
Movie miracle in so many ways -- from the introduction of Wayne's character to Boone pouring a drink every chance he can. It all looks so familiar because this is truly universal entertainment from start to finish -- when they get to Lordsburg, and the banker gets toasted, what a joy. A crew doomed to the proximity of death, Doc Boone shouting 'if I have only one hour to live, I'm gonna enjoy myself', romance blossoming on the road between the prostitute and the escaped criminal. Just beautiful.
Rated 16 May 2023
80
94th
My favourite Ford flick to date, up there with The Grapes of Wrath. The group of strangers who share the dangerous stagecoach ride is superbly written and cast, and acted in an appropriate manner by all the actors. Everyone of the eight coach riders possesses a unique personnae, their own conflict to resolve and demons to fight, and a character arc that goes somewhere. Excellent movie.
Rated 07 Jun 2023
73
65th
This was a fun western with good characterisation (for the most part) and a simple but effective story
Rated 17 Aug 2023
96
90th
Just a total freakin’ blast from beginning to end. The ingredients are pretty familiar by today’s standards, but I think it still deserves its reputation. It’s an excellent character piece for literally everyone on screen, leading to a final act that’s surprisingly gritty and intense. I love that there’s a final action sequence, and THEN a final 15 minutes of more tension and high stakes. What a weird, clever way to end a movie. Ahead of its time. Can’t recommend it enough. And that acting!

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