“Well, there are some things a man just can’t run away from.” —Ringo Kid
Today’s quick review: Stagecoach. Ringo Kid (John Wayne), an escaped convict looking to avenge the murder of his family, hitches a ride on a stagecoach making its way across Arizona. Ringo befriends the passengers, including a woman of ill repute (Claire Trevor), an alcoholic doctor (Thomas Mitchell), and the wife of a cavalry officer (Louise Platt). But with a band of Apaches in the area and no cavalry protection, the trip could prove fatal.
Stagecoach is a classic Western about a perilous stagecoach trip across Arizona. The story unites an ensemble cast, with characters from all walks of life. Left to work out their differences in a cramped coach, the passengers come to rely on one another as their journey grows more dangerous. The film combines this relatively simple premise with likable characters, interesting subplots, and a solid emotional core to make for an engaging watch.
Stagecoach builds a rich story out of ordinary parts. Every passenger on the coach has a reason to be there, whether it’s seeing a husband or simply getting out of a town that doesn’t want them. These reasons keep the journey going even as the trip gets more dangerous, and they lead to some very human personal conflicts. In particular, the budding romance between Ringo and Dallas (Claire Trevor) serves as an emotional backbone for the film.
Apart from its melting pot of characters, Stagecoach handles its storytelling well. There are always a few active plot hooks, ranging from Ringo’s hunt for the man who killed his family to Lucy Mallory’s (Louise Platt) insistence on reaching her husband as soon as possible. This churn of plot threads keeps the story moving at a good pace. Meanwhile, some light humor, a bit of romance, and a bit of climactic action balance the film nicely.
Stagecoach is a finely crafted film that succeeds on the back of strong fundamentals. Fans of the Western genre or classics in general will find it to be a rewarding watch, thanks in large part to its smart choice of characters and conflicts. Viewers looking for pure action may want to look elsewhere. For a darker movie about an ill-fated expedition that encounters an Apache band, try Duel at Diablo.
[7.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031971/). I give it a 7.5 for a rich story and likable characters.