Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!

ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

TheLittleSongbird The original 'Stagecoach' from 1939 is to me a timeless classic and one of the finest westerns ever made. The 1966 film was a fair one, very much inferior and uneven and one questions the point of it but at the same time it had several big pluses to make it watchable.Admittedly, when hearing of this 1986 film expectations were very low. As talented as these country and western stars are, the whole concept just screamed of one big gimmick that could easily have gone disastrously wrong. That it had a limited budget too further added to the intrepidation, which had potential to severely diminish the western atmosphere, which ideally should have excitement and tension which was likely not to happen with low-budget.Seeing it, and judging it on its own merits, 'Stagecoach' (1986) turned out to be not as bad as expected with some serviceable things. As feared though, it is even more uneven than the 1966 version, has more (and bigger) flaws, it is a little gimmicky somewhat and even on its own merits many people (myself included) are likely to question the point of it or find any reason for it to be made in the first place.Certainly, there are some good things. Things do pick up in the second half, where the pace is given a sharper kick and more happens while the build up to the climax and the climax itself are exciting and suspenseful. The soundtrack is infectious and a lot of fun, while the costumes suit the western genre well. Some of the performances are good. Anthony Newley clearly is enjoying himself in his brief appearance, while Tony Franciosa does his nervous act well, John Schneider is handsome and charismatic enough, Mary Crosby allures and Kris Kristofferson while not as charismatic as John Wayne has far more presence and likability (also appropriately stoic) than the wooden and vacuous Alex Cord.However, Johnny Cash is somewhat stiff while both Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings look uncomfortable, Jennings actually looks as though he didn't want to be there and Nelson clearly had no idea how to portray the character. Elizabeth Ashley looks pained throughout too, exposing a limited acting ability, lack of experience and lack of connection with her character (which is admittedly not an interesting one in the first place).Furthering hindering the film are in particular a long-winded and drawn-out script that veers on the preachy at times. The direction is pedestrian, aimless even in the first half and failing to inject any urgency until late into the film. The story lacks the fun and tension of especially the 1939 film, and lacks the necessary grit too making everything feel bland. It also really struggles to come to life in the first half, although improving in the climax and its build up. The limitations in budget hurt 'Stagecoach' (1986) also, with a choppy and drab look that was crying out for more majestic sweep and the production design looking like it was constructed in haste. This is sad because the scenery is actually quite nice.On the whole, definitely could have been much worse but just didn't see the point. Interesting to see so many country and western stars together, who are very talented at what they do in their own way, but some fare significantly better than others while others flounder. 4/10 Bethany Cox

ianlouisiana In "Stagecoach" the late Mr T.Post treads a difficult line between the original Ernest Haycox story "Stage to Lordsburg" with it's frontier values and the rather more liberal views of a mid 1980s audience to some of whom Geronimo might appear to be a freedom fighter rather than a brutish savage. His voice is articulated by Mr W.Nelson,one of the most significant Country artists of the 20th century who appears slightly uncomfortable as "Doc" Holliday,a man plucked from history to be the conscience of the movie. Having appeased contemporary sensibilities,Mr Post goes pretty much down the traditional Western road with a brave if not very bright lawman (Mr J.Cash),a bar girl (Miss E.Ashley),a gambler(Mr W.Jennings) and that most revered of American figures a pregnant lady(Miss M.Crosby) amongst others travelling on a stagecoach through Apache territory. It's a pleasing enough picture that lovers of TV Westerns should enjoy. There are some funny lines,many of which are deftly handled by Mr A.Newley as an itinerant whisky salesman,a role in which he was allowed to retain his English accent.Half - hearing a conversation about Geronimo,he says.."Excuse me..who exactly is this ..Geraldo.. fellow?" a line which,if spoken in American would have been meaningless but as he says it immediately brings to mind that most determinedly English of English bandleaders. Unfortunately,Mr Newley is whisked away in such haste as to almost appear rude,and the picture is rather diminished by his going. Nonetheless the second half is enlivened by the appearance of Mr K.Kristofferson as the Ringo Kid and he is twinkly but determined to get his vengeance on those who murdered his brothers. This is all good TV Movie stuff and my generation can sigh at the appearance of Mr L.Larue whose adventures at the Saturday Morning Pictures set many an 8 year - old heart a - flutter. You don't have to love Country Music to enjoy "Stagecoach" but it sure doesn't harm in any either.

bsmith5552 Around the time this film was made, stars Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings were performing concerts as "The Highwaymen" and they were good. So, having success as a performing group Nelson thought..."Why not make a movie together." Well sir, the one Willie chose (as Executive Producer) was a re make of the classic John Ford film "Stagecoach".By now any movie goer worth his salt knows the story line of "Stagecoach"....a group of unlikely travelers taking the stage to Lordsburg through hostile Indian territory. Veteran TV director Ted Post follows the original story to a point.The major difference is in the casting of the "Doc" character. In the original, Doc was a boozy reprobate on the make for his next drink. Willie Nelson however chose to play the character as "Doc" Holliday...yes THAT Doc Holliday complete with a pair of six guns and a brazen attitude. That made the character of Peacock the whiskey salesman (Anthony Newley) totally irrelevant so he quickly exits the story.The rest of the characters stick to the original. Kris Kristofferson plays Ringo, Johnny Cash, Curly the Marshal, Waylon Jennings the gambler Hatfield and John Schneider, Buck the stagecoach driver. Others in the cast include Tony Franciosa as Gatewood the banker, Elizabeth Ashley as Dallas the saloon girl and Mary Crosby as a very pregnant Lucy Mallory.Director post keeps the story moving and the action flowing. The Indian attack is well staged although without veteran stunt man Yakima Canutt, the stagecoach stunt work suffers in comparison. The final showdown with Luke Plummer (Alex Kubils) is changed somewhat to include all of the Highwaymen.As actors, one could say that the four principals made great singers although they do carry off their respective parts as best they could. Others in the country music oriented cast include June Carter Cash and son John Carter Cash as proprietors of a relay station, David Allen Coe as one of the Plummers, Billy Swan as a bartender and Jennings' wife Jessi Colter in a minor role. And for the old timers among you, there's a brief appearance in the Plummer sequence by veteran cowboy hero Lash LaRue.Given that this was a TV movie and the violence toned down somewhat, the boys give us a pleasant if not entertaining old style western. But because it tries to re-make a classic, it suffers in comparison. It just shows to go ya that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

helpless_dancer Willie, Waylon, Johnny, and Kris play tough old west gunslingers who are on a coach in injun territory. This is a tale that has been told and re-told a thousand times. Nothing new here, but it may be a hoot for country fans to watch their heroes do a western. Not too bad acting out of the singers, except for Waylon. A cigar store indian is less wooden than he was. I guess the best thing about the film was that none of the gunslinging heros broke into song. Honestly though folks, Willie Nelson as Doc Holiday?