Epic and episodic tale of the development of the American West from the 1830s through the Civil War to the end of the century, as seen through the eyes of the pioneer Prescott family. As the Prescotts struggle with danger and loss, and newfound love, the vast canvas of US history unfolds around them. Top notch production values and a "who's who" of performances have solidified this as a Hollywood classic.
Hollywood's most celebrated luminaries--behind the camera as well as in front of it--combined talents to present this epic tale of the development of the American West from the 1830s through the Civil War to the end of the century, as seen through the eyes of one pioneer family. The film, divided into three chapters--"The Civil War" (directed by John Ford), "The Railroad" (directed by George Marshall), and "The River, the Plains, the Outlaws" (directed by Henry Hathaway)--tells the story of the Prescotts, a spirited group of easterners who make a declaration to migrate west. When their parents are lost in a tragic river accident, Eve (Carroll Baker) and Lilith (Debbie Reynolds) go their separate ways. Eve remains on the land that took her parents, settling down with the well-intentioned Linus Rawlings (James Stewart), while Lilith becomes a singer who is courted by the conniving Cleve Van Valen (Gregory Peck) when he learns that she has inherited a fortune in California. As time passes and the Civil War takes the life of Linus, the newest generation of Prescott offspring struggles with even greater danger and loss, in the form of fierce Indians as well as family archrivals. Top-notch production values and an endless string of solid performances have earned HOW THE WEST WAS WON the well-deserved label as one of Hollywood's most revered classics.
Theatrical release: February 21, 1963.
Filmed at the MGM Studios and on location in Custer State Park, Black Hills, and Rapid City, South Dakota; in Uncompaghre National Forest, Rocky Mountains, Montrose, Durango, and Silverton, Colorado; on the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers and in Paducah, Kentucky; in Oatman, Perkinsville, Superior, and Canyon de Chelly, Arizona; in Monument Valley, Utah; in Eugene and Grand Pass, Oregon; in San Francisco, Lone Pine, Bishop, Simi, and Scotia, California; and in Tonto National Forest and Inyo National Forest.
The picture was named on the National Board of Review's list of the 10 Best Films of the Year.
James R. Webb's script was suggested by a LIFE magazine series.
Action sequences from "The Civil War" section of the film were borrowed from the 1957 Edward Dmytryk movie RAINTREE COUNTY. Shots of marching Mexican troops were from the 1960 John Wayne project, THE ALAMO.
The film's opening credits bear this dedication: "To the officials of the state of South Dakota, the United States Forest Service and Bureau Reclamation we express deep appreciation."
When the film was released in 1963, there was no MPAA rating system in place. It was rated G by the MPAA for its 1970 reissue.
From February 1978 to April 1979, ABC aired a MGM television series based on the film. Also entitled HOW THE WEST WAS WON, this extravagantly produced series was filmed on location in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Southern California, and starred TV Western icon James Arness, along with Fionnula Flanagan, Bruce Boxleitner, Kathryn Holcomb, William Kirby Cullen, and Vicki Schreck.
Bob Morgan, a stuntman in "The Outlaws" sequence, lost a leg during production.
Appearing in the film as "Indian Chiefs" were Ben Black Elk, Jr., William Shake Spears, Chief Oglalla Hansaka, Chief Weasel, and Red Cloud. Appearing in the film as "Indians" were members of the Brulee Sioux, Oclalles Sioux, Minnecanjous Sioux, Arapahoe, and Cheyenne Nations.
The film originally featured seven-track magnetic Cinerama sound, which utilized the standard five channels behind the screen as well as two additional surround channels on either side of the audience. The Westrex Recording System was used in the production of the soundtrack.
The film's process shots and background scenes utilized Ultra Panavision 70 cameras and lenses, which were provided by Panavision, Inc. Matte shots and shots using backdrops and rear projections could not be filmed with Cinerama cameras, because they could film past and "around" flat backgrounds. Robert R. Hoag of the MGM Laboratories Optical Department supervised the transfer of this 70mm material to the three-panel Super Cinerama in order to match the rest of the footage. Original Cinerama aspect ratio: 2.59:1.
Original prints of the film featured footage of "modern" San Francisco, in order to show how far the West had come since. Because 1963 San Francisco is no longer be considered modern, many prints have eliminated this sequence in order to avoid dating the film.
MGM later destroyed all Super Cinerama prints, and only a 70mm Super Cinerama dupe remains. A 35mm anamorphic version of the film also exists. It features four-track stereo, but lacks an overture, the intermission, and exit music. The title card for the intermission was left in, just in case a theater might want to break anyway. Three separate 16mm versions of the film exist: an anamorphic version with a 2.74:1 aspect ratio; a Metroscope version that measures 1.75:1; and a 1.37:1 Metroscan version.
The picture was one of the first story films to be produced in three-strip Cinerama. Five projectionists were required to operate the three 35mm projectors which, when placed side by side, to produced a seamless image on a huge curved screen.
Original running time: 162 minutes, plus an intermission and an overture.
How the West Was Won Quotes/Excerpts:
"That goddamned Cinerama... do you know a waist shot is as close as you could get with that thing?" -- Henry Hathaway
"The epic journey of four generations of Americans who carved out a country with their bare hands." -- line from the poster for the 1970 reissue
How the West Was Won Reviews:
"Hollywood's definitive all-star Western pageant....There's plenty of nostalgia to be gleaned from seeing James Stewart, John Wayne, Henry Fonda and so many more in their superstar primes..."
-- Mike Clark, USA Today
"The buffalo stampede, rapids run, and train robbery sequences are seamless..." -- Grade: A--- Chris Willman, Entertainment Weekly
"[T]he open-air sequences...with their unmoving camera, long-shot compositions and rootedness in the rural landscape, recall the work of the American pioneer D.W. Griffith."-- Dave Kehr, New York Times
4 stars out of 5 -- "[A]n epic western of staggering scale and ambition....The buffalo stampede is a pummelling experience on the small screen; writ large, it must have been terrifying."-- Samuel Wigley, Total Film
boaring Good cast,story to slow,not very much depth in acting. To many musical bits. Needed realizum. Submitted by a reviewer (Manahawkin,NJ USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
DAVID STROHMAIER'S DOCUMENTARY IS WORTH THE PRICE ALONE If the legendary creators of Cinerama could speak from the heavens, they would surely want to praise the efforts of David Strohmaier. He has not only led the crusade to save and preserve the art form of three strip exhibition but through his determination has defined a new and better way to see what Cinerama was like for those not available to see it in all its theatrical glory.
Smilebox is the creation and it is used to wonderful effect in the new DVD presentation of How The West Was Won. Through new and complicated technology, the curved look of Cinerama can be seen on the television screen. A Strohmaier creation, this duplicates the approximate look and feel as if you were in a Cinerama theater, sans the curved screen.
The presentation of this classic western also removes the join lines of the three strips of film, well, almost removes them. There are scenes where you will notice the joins but if that's where your eyes go to, you're seeing the film for the wrong reason. Purists will debate their removal but if they could have been taken out from the beginning, they would have. I believe Lowell Thomas and Cooper would approve.
As wonderful as the film is, it's the documentary, Cinerama Adventure that is the real prize here. Not since the days of Kevin Brownlow and David Gill has there been such a rich and loving look at a film genre. Told with footage from other Cinerama films, rare behind the scenes footage, photos and with interviews from those who were there, this is the fastest ninety minute ride a film fan can have. The early experiments of multi strip projection are fascinating. The sequence of going through a live volcano while the plane stalls in mid air is riveting. With music by the prolific John Morgan, the man who has reconstructed classic film scores of Korngold and Salter, this is a film to be viewed again and again.
Make no mistake, this is the DVD event of the year. The transfer (all new and meticulously prepared) of How The West Was Won is fabulous. The documentary is included as a bonus piece but, believe me, once you see it, you will be hooked. As a new Cineramaphile, you will want to know everything else there is to know about the process.
Thank you Dave Strohmaier for your creations of both Smilebox and your moving and delightful love letter to Cinerama.
Now why wasn't Ken Kramer's fine documentary on How The West Was Won included? Submitted by Keeper of the Celluloid (Filmland, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
BEST EPIC WESTERN EVER I HAVE SEEN THIS MOVIE ON THE BIG SCREEN WHEN IT CAME OUT. AND IT HAS CAPTIVED ME EVER SINCE. GOOD STORY AND MOVIE Submitted by James_Goss (MIDLAND, MI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
great film brill film glad could get it on DVD worth waiting for to get on DVD can watch it now when i like..... Submitted by raiski63 (England) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
A classic tale of our history of expansion This movie protrays the American pioneer spirit at it's best. A tale of one family who starts out in the early 1800's moving west, and their individual experiences and life path as time moves forward toward the late 1800's. Great acting and cast selection. Wonderful color and location selection. Submitted by sandybarnes007 (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
boaring
DAVID STROHMAIER'S DOCUMENTARY IS WORTH THE PRICE ALONE
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