Interesteg What makes it different from others?

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Ariella Broughton It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

TheLittleSongbird The original 'Stagecoach' from 1939 was, and still is, a benchmark of the western genre, and a wonderful film in its own right too. Considering the generally dodgy track record of how remakes fare in quality, was honestly expecting this 1966 'Stagecoach' to be an insult and with no point or merits.Expectations that were mostly proved very much wrong. Yes, it is a far inferior film to 1939's 'Stagecoach' (whereas the original is a masterpiece this is just fair), and, yes, one does question the point of it with so much of the content already seen previously and with much more impact. However, it does have a lot of merit, with it being made with competence, with respect being shown and with attempts to bring some freshness or build on what was seen previously (characters like Plummer being richer in characterisation here).Starting with the faults, not all the casting comes off. Mike Connors sleepwalks through a role in need of so much more intensity than what actually came off. Stefanie Powers is an attractive but rabbits-in-the-headlights blank, but coming off worst is Alex Cord as a pivotal character crying out for much more charisma and personality than what was given in Cord's very wooden and vacuous take on it.Gordon Douglas' direction is competent with a keen visual eye, but, in terms of momentum and storytelling, it's a case of everything done pleasingly and correctly with nothing offensive but with some lack of invention or oomph and with a sense of routine-ness about it all. The story is actually a good one and the characters are still interesting on the most part, but apart from a few scenes much of it has already been done before and with more excitement.However, it's a great-looking film. While the scenery doesn't have the magnificence of Monument Valley it's still sweepingly beautiful and the cinematography is similarly striking, especially in the aerial shot and the chase sequence. Production, set and costume design register strongly too and who can't help love those paintings. Jerry Goldsmith's score is rousing, atmospheric and extraordinary in instrumentation, while the theme song is very much a memorable one.Meanwhile, it's nicely scripted, and there are sequences that register strongly, especially the chase sequence (the highlight), the storm on the cliff and the opening massacre. Also appreciated an ending where what happens is shown with more clarity and less ambiguity. The cast are fine generally, Bing Crosby plays his boozy-doctor-with-a-heart role perfectly in his final screen appearance, while Van Heflin is similarly terrific, Slim Pickens brings some welcome humour and Keenan Wynn is frightening (even though not on screen long).Ann-Margaret shows how to be an alluring presence while also being able to act with sass and compassion, while Robert Cummings is good enough (he has been better though) and Red Buttons shares a strong touching rapport with Crosby in a remarkably subdued performance.Overall, inferior and maybe pointless but nowhere near as bad as expected. A lot is done right and nothing offends, but at the end of the day even whether compared to the 1939 film or out of context it just felt a little bland. 6/10 Bethany Cox

jpdoherty 20th Century Fox's STAGECOACH (1966) is of course a remake of the classic 1939 John Ford production of the same name. But this later version, and because of its over cherished antecedents, has at times been rather unfairly pilloried by both critics and public alike. I have to admit myself to being never too fond of Ford's much vaunted western. While admittedly there are some great things in it I always found it quite dull in parts and a number of the supporting players not wholly conducive to their respective roles. Also the Ringo Kid's shootout with the Plummers towards the end is little more than alluded to and merely consists of John Wayne hitting the dirt and letting go with a Winchester. It is a cop-out really and is the movie's most disappointing aspect. On the other hand the later remake has none of these failings. All ablaze in awesome Cinemascope and DeLux color it is a sturdier more strident version of Ernest Haycox's story with a well chosen cast. And here Ringo's showdown gets the full treatment in a brilliantly staged and exciting confrontation which has about 15 minutes screen time. The picture is also graced with a terrific score by the great Jerry Goldsmith. Streets ahead of the creaky Acadamy Award winning music by Richard Hageman from the earlier film. Written for the screen by Joseph Landon from Dudley Nichol's original screenplay it was stylishly and excitingly photographed by William Clothier. His opening aerial shot panning across the lovely Colorado locations is breathtaking as it swoops down to track the speeding Stagecoach on its way to Dry Fork. A wonderful spine tingling few moments! Produced by Martin Rackin for Fox STAGECOACH'66 was perfectly directed by the estimable Gordan Douglas.Of course we all know the story which concerns a mixed bag of passengers who are thrown together on an arduous Stagecoach journey to Cheyeanne and fearing, among other things, an Indian attack along the way. There is the banished dance hall girl Dallas (Ann Margret giving the performance of her career), Gatewood the wily and mean spirited embezzler (an excellent Robert Cummings), a surprisingly good Bing Crosby as the whiskey sodden MD, a terrific Van Heflin as Curly the Marshal and shotgun guard, the wonderful Slim Pickins as Buck the stage driver (Pickins - an ex wrangler - was the only actor capable of handling a six team of horses) and Alex Cord making an impressive Ringo. The picture does however get a little bogged down in the middle but there is splendid character development in these scenes and once the Indians begin their pursuit of the stagecoach the action never lets up. Unlike the earlier film and the famous chase across the salt flats - here there is much more vegetation as the Stagecoach is pursued over mountains and through wooded areas and streams before a wheel collapses and the hapless travellers must now make a stand against the Indian horde who they eventually manage to beat off. (This whole chase sequence is quite riveting as the brilliant camera shoots from the air one minute and then from under the speeding coach). The stagecoach finally struggles into Cheyeanne and Ringo must now take on Luke Plummer (Keenan Wynn) and his two murderous sons in a blistering action packed shootout in the best tradition of the revenge western. The picture ends, just like the original, with Ringo and Dallas riding off side by side to begin a new life together.One of the great aspects of STAGECOACH'66 is Jerry Goldsmith's stunning score. The instrumentation is extraordinary! The main title is heard over that amazing aerial shot at the opening and distinctly discerned are jew's-harp, banjo, guitar, a lovely jazzy button accordion, solo trumpet, harmonica and pizzicato strings all lending an authentic and inspired western feel to the picture. Then there is an attractive love theme "I Will Follow" heard in the film's softer moments with Ringo and Dallas which gives their scenes together a tender and persuasive charm. STAGECOACH'66 is one of Jerry Goldsmith's finest scores for a western.STAGECOACH'66 is a good and exciting western and should not be judged as simply a remake of a classic. It should be enjoyed for its own intrinsic value plus the added quality that was brought to an old story with some fresh innovations and new techniques. And, who knows, perhaps in that way this STAGECOACH could itself become a classic too?

rose61348 I would have to say that this version of "Stagecoach"is by far the very best.Excellent acting by Ann Margaret and the all star cast.Ann Margeret's portrayal of "Dallas" was superb. I also think that there was more"Meat"to this version.I recommend that everyone see it,buy the video or CD version.It held me captive throughout the entire movie. Everyone's role was more fully expanded and scenes were portrayed better.I've loved Ann Margaret's performances in all the movies she has starred in.I think that she is an top of the line actress.I compare her acting with Elizabeth Taylor and Katherine Hepburn.She is vivacious,beautiful,and would look good even in a gunnysack.Sincerely,rose61348@gwtc.net

bombblasts I saw this version (1966) a few years ago and cannot find it available. I saw it on television. They continue to show the John Wayne version, which is good, but people want variety. Just because some people are so enthused with the Wayne , others should not be deprived of the 1966 movie. besides this version was in color. I owned a DVD of the Wayne version and at this point tired of it. The acting in my opinion is done very well and the characters they portray are very believable. I especially like Ann-Margret's character. and Slim pickens adds a bit of humor. The color and the western scenes are just beautiful. Let those of us who like the 1966 version have it, please. I cannot find it at Best Buy, Tower Records, or anywhere else. What's going on here? THAT'S ABOUT ALL that I have to say.