The War Wagon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

John Wayne teams up with the guy who shot him to rob a gold-filled tank-stagecoach, mostly because fancy stagecoaches are cool.

🍿 The War Wagon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Taw Jackson’s Return and Revenge

Taw Jackson, played by John Wayne, is released from prison after being framed by the corrupt businessman Frank Pierce. Pierce stole Jackson’s ranch and made a fortune after discovering gold on the land. Taw returns to seek revenge and reclaim what was stolen from him. His plan is to rob the ‘War Wagon,’ an armored stagecoach Pierce uses to transport his gold.

Recruiting Lomax and the Team

Jackson enlists the help of Lomax, played by Kirk Douglas, a skilled gunfighter and safe cracker who was initially hired by Pierce to kill him. Lured by a share of the gold, Lomax joins Jackson’s team. They recruit other members, including Levi Walking Bear (Howard Keel), an Indian scout, Billy Hyatt (Robert Walker Jr.), an explosives expert with a drinking problem, and Wes Fletcher (Keenan Wynn), a disgruntled worker on Pierce’s payroll.

Planning the Heist

The team faces challenges and mistrust as they prepare for the daring robbery. Billy’s alcoholism and Wes’s jealousy over his young wife create tension. Meanwhile, Pierce becomes aware of Jackson’s presence and plots to eliminate him, leading to a series of conflicts and close calls. The team also obtains nitroglycerin needed for blowing up a bridge from Pierce’s safe.

The War Wagon Robbery

The team puts their plan into action, using a diversionary attack by local Indian tribes to isolate the War Wagon. They blow up a bridge to prevent reinforcements from arriving. Jackson and Lomax board the War Wagon, leading to a confrontation with Pierce. The War Wagon crashes, scattering the gold, which is then stolen by peaceful local Native Americans who thought it was flour.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Taw Jackson (John Wayne): A former rancher and ex-convict, Taw seeks revenge on the man who stole his land by planning to rob his armored gold transport.
• Lomax (Kirk Douglas): A skilled gunslinger and safecracker, Lomax is initially hired to kill Taw but joins him in the War Wagon heist for a bigger payout.
• Frank Pierce (Bruce Cabot): The ruthless and corrupt businessman who stole Taw’s land and gold, using the ‘War Wagon’ to transport his ill-gotten gains.
• Levi Walking Bear (Howard Keel): A cynical and resourceful Indian, Levi acts as a liaison with local tribes and provides comic relief to Taw’s team.
• Billy Hyatt (Robert Walker Jr.): A young and somewhat unreliable explosives expert with a penchant for alcohol, Billy is recruited for his skills in demolition.
• Wes Fletcher (Keenan Wynn): A greedy and paranoid old man working for Pierce, Wes is an inside man for Taw’s gang, motivated by personal gain.
• Kate (Valora Noland): Wes’s young and mistreated wife, bought from her poor parents, who becomes an object of sympathy and a potential love interest for Billy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lomax: “You’re the only man I ever shot and didn’t kill.” – Lomax says this to Taw when they first meet, highlighting their complicated and violent past.
• Lomax: “Mine hit the ground first.” – After shooting down two bad guys, Lomax jokes with Taw about who was faster, showcasing their competitive nature.
• Taw Jackson: “Mine was taller.” – Taw replies to Lomax with a witty remark, continuing the playful banter after shooting the bad guys.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5.7 million
• Domestic Gross: $11,990,000
• Worldwide Gross: $11,990,000

💥 The War Wagon Reviews

Personal Review

I love this movie! Wayne and Douglas are fantastic together, and the War Wagon itself is such a cool idea. The bar fight is hilarious, and the whole heist is a blast to watch. It’s a classic Western that I can watch over and over. The Indian exploding the nitro glycerin is a memorable highlight for me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “John Wayne and Kirk Douglas fans”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-packed heist movies”
  • “People looking for entertaining and light-hearted films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence, including gunfights and explosions”
  • “Alcohol use and portrayal of drunkenness”
  • “Some dated depictions of Native Americans and Mexicans”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A fun, if formulaic, Western elevated by the chemistry between John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. The action is solid, and the humor is dry and enjoyable. While not one of Wayne’s best, it’s a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.
• IMDb: “A western caper movie with great location photography and music. Not a brilliant story but entertaining with a good cast of actors that helps lift it up, including Keenan Wynn, Howard Keel, and Robert Walker, Jr. The Duke and Kirk have nice chemistry and banter.
• IMDb: “Wayne and Douglas work very well together here. Wayne plays a rancher run off his land who is returning to seek profitable revenge on the man who stole his ranch. With a very good gang of characters he will not be alone. The performances are good and well acted.

Audience Reactions

The dynamic between Wayne and Douglas provides endless entertainment.: Viewers consistently praise the on-screen chemistry between John Wayne and Kirk Douglas as a highlight of the film.

The unique concept of the War Wagon itself is a standout element.: Many audience members appreciate the creative and visually appealing armored stagecoach.

Overall Consensus: A fun and entertaining Western, primarily praised for the chemistry between its leads and the unique concept of the War Wagon.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kirk Douglas was late to the set because he was shooting a commercial endorsement for the Democratic Governor of California, Edmund G. Brown. John Wayne was furious, and was late to work the next day because he was shooting a commercial for the Republican candidate Ronald Reagan.”
• “The film is based on Clair Huffaker’s novel ‘Badman’.”
• “The movie was filmed in Durango, Mexico, a popular location for many Westerns.”

🖥️ How to Watch The War Wagon?

The War Wagon can be found for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for streaming availability on services like Paramount+ or Fubo, which may offer it as part of their movie libraries.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The War Wagon, you might like these similar films:

• The Professionals (1966): Features a group of skilled men hired to rescue a kidnapped woman, sharing the heist and team dynamic.
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): Another classic Western featuring a duo of outlaws, with a similar blend of action and humor.
• The Wild Bunch (1969): A gritty Western about aging outlaws planning one last score, sharing the themes of loyalty and desperation.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): A modern heist movie where a group of specialists plan and execute a complex robbery, similar to the caper elements of The War Wagon.

🛒 The War Wagon Related Products

• The War Wagon [Blu-ray]: Experience ‘The War Wagon’ in stunning high definition. Perfect for collectors and fans of classic Westerns, this Blu-ray edition offers enhanced picture and sound quality.
• John Wayne: The Man Behind the Myth: A deep dive into the life of the actor John Wayne, a great addition to understand this Hollywood legend.
• Western Cowboy Hat: Channel your inner cowboy with this authentic western cowboy hat. Made with high-quality materials, it’s perfect for cosplay, themed parties, or everyday wear.
• Gatling Gun Model Kit: Build your own replica of the Gatling gun featured on the War Wagon! This detailed model kit is a great project for history buffs and model enthusiasts.

🎧 Soundtrack

The War Wagon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ballad Of The War Wagon” – performed by Ed Ames

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How John Wayne RETALIATED AGAINST Kirk Douglas while filming 1967’s “THE WAR WAGON”!

Ever wonder if movie stars get along on set? This video dives into a real feud between John Wayne and Kirk Douglas during “The War Wagon”! It’s pretty wild to see how they handled their disagreements – definitely worth a watch.

✨ Rate