The classic western, Sfagecoach, launched John Wayne as a major screen star and was the first of 10 epic films Wayne and director, John Ford made together.The first of a new sophisticated type of western, it re-established the genre as a box office draw. The spectacular Monument Valley is the backdrop as the drama of the stagecoach journey unfolds. A party of misfits; a drunken doctor,woman of ill-repute,a card shark, a whiskey drummer and an ailing cavalry officer's wife are enroute to Lordsburg,across Apache territory. Geronimo has jumped the reservation and is on the warpath. John Waynes entrance to the film is one of his most memorable scenes, and the swinging of the winchester" so effctive, was improvised by him. The Ringo Kid, Wayne, has broken out of jail to avenge the murders of his brother and father. He hijacks the stage only to find the marshall riding shot gun. The simple plot is enhanced by the class conflict amongst the passengers and the thrilling action scenes directed by Ford. The long expected attack by the Apaches, provides the first extensive Indian chase in western history. Yakima Canutt delivered the daring stunts.As Wayne later said, no such chase could ever have happened as the Indians would have shot the lead horses and that would have been that.Holywood never let truth get in the wy of a good scene The cavalry save the day and Ringo gets his just deserves. As the Ringo Kid ,Wayne begins to develop the character which became his own. The "diamond in the Rough" the tough, loner exterior with the heart of gold. A man who did not judge others by their reputation but by their deeds and words. A true gentleman when others fail the test. He is gentle and protective towards women but not pushy, usually tongue and reticent. John Wayne received only $3000 for the part although he was the leading male.However the career move from B to A movies, which it meant, was more important than the money. His good looks and athletic physique proved to be a winner with the college audiences and his film career never looked back as he grew to be the ideal of the all American hero. A truly great western, it received 7 Oscar nominations but only 2 awards, Best supporting actor for Thomas Mitchell as the doc and Best score. A must for all Wayne/western fans.