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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Why is this not available in Region 2? Excellent western with plenty of action, well paced with every scene counting. Look out for Widmark killing an eagle with a chain and Apaches with his bare hands. Spectacular cinematography, sparsley but well sketched characters, and a bit of romance. The members of a small waggon train heading through dangerous Apache country pick up a sherrif and his 'murderous' prisoner Commanche Todd (Richard Widmark.) Todd and the younger members of the group survive an Apache attack and they are forced to rely upon Todd to help them survive the Apaches and the unforgiving terrain to reach safety. Can they trust him? As they each learn something about themselves through their ordeal and learn to respect Widmark will they hand him over to the authorities? Some characters are western cliches and the racial elements are not subtle but the movie is very satisfying and Widmark plays the role to perfection. Great soaring score too!
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film demonstrates Richard Widmark at his peak best. A haunting theme tune, sadly not released on it's own merit, plays throughout the film, greatly adding to the tense and violent as well as gentle and tender moments.
Clearly at home in the big outdoors, Widmark gives a superb performance as Commanche Todd - a 'renegade killer' who was captured as a boy and brought up as the son of a Commanche chief.
Later in the film we learn that when his young Indian wife and two sons were brutally killed by four Harper brothers he set out to kill them all. Todd suceeds in killing three of the brothers, but then, suffering from days of thirst and heat exhaustion he is captured by the fourth - Bull Harper. They join up with wagon train heading West, and here the story really begins.
Using his ability to say as much by facial expression and body language as he does via the script, Widmark convincingly leads the young wagon train survivors of an Apache attack, through the arid, hazardous Canyon of Death safely back to civilisation.
On the way, hatred shown to him by some of the youngsters, because of his Indian upbringing, gradually turns to respect as he steers them through the dangers. Equally the humanity shown to him by Jenny (Felicia Farr)and young brother Tommy(Tommy Rettig)turns to love.
If you are a Widmark fan, this film is not to be missed. Or, if you just like an entertaining western with fabulous scenery, a good story and a happy ending, then again - don't miss it.
Clearly at home in the big outdoors, Widmark gives a superb performance as Commanche Todd - a 'renegade killer' who was captured as a boy and brought up as the son of a Commanche chief.
Later in the film we learn that when his young Indian wife and two sons were brutally killed by four Harper brothers he set out to kill them all. Todd suceeds in killing three of the brothers, but then, suffering from days of thirst and heat exhaustion he is captured by the fourth - Bull Harper. They join up with wagon train heading West, and here the story really begins.
Using his ability to say as much by facial expression and body language as he does via the script, Widmark convincingly leads the young wagon train survivors of an Apache attack, through the arid, hazardous Canyon of Death safely back to civilisation.
On the way, hatred shown to him by some of the youngsters, because of his Indian upbringing, gradually turns to respect as he steers them through the dangers. Equally the humanity shown to him by Jenny (Felicia Farr)and young brother Tommy(Tommy Rettig)turns to love.
If you are a Widmark fan, this film is not to be missed. Or, if you just like an entertaining western with fabulous scenery, a good story and a happy ending, then again - don't miss it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Great news to see that Optimum releasing Western Classics have released this worthy film onto Region 2 format. The fifties was a halcyon period for the Western. By this time it had been refined to an art form and many fine directors like John Ford, Howard Hawks, Anthony Mann and Budd Boetticher were at their zenith. Competition was fierce and Delmer Daves was considered second tier in comparison. But on this showing he is far from that. He also made the very good "Broken Arrow"(50) and "3:10 to Yuma"(57). The screenplay was written by that prolific writer of Westerns James Edward Grant at the height of his powers. Daves wanted a pristine location to film in and found it in Oak Creek Canyon which does much to aid the fine cinematography. I have read a very similar story by Louis L'Amour, that prolific Western writer. But I have been unable to corroborate if the film is based on this story.
The plot concerns Comanche Todd a half breed scout played by Richard Widmark in what is one of his very best screen roles. Todd has been captured by the brutal Sheriff Bull Harper for murdering his three brothers. What is not made clear is that these brothers had murdered Todds Indian wife and children. The sheriff comes across a wagon train and warns them about marauding Apache. He decides to stay overnight. During the night the wagon train is attacked. The only survivors are a group of teenagers/children who have gone for a midnight swim and Todd who has been thrown over a precipice with a wagon he has been manacled to. Miraculously he is still alive. The fight for survival is on. Todd with his wilderness skills is the only person who can get them all home, but the chances are slim so deep in hostile Apache territory. Half the group admire him for his bravery and the other half hate him as an Indian loving murderer. The action is unrelenting and all Todds survival skills are needed if they are to stay alive.
I am a great admirer of this film. It is a simple enough story but done in some style. It works quite beautifully. The cast is largely unknown although James Drury before his Virginian days crops up briefly. It has a handsome look to it and is a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. Well done yet again to Optimum for making this little gem available. This is a top quality Western which I can only highly recommend you watch. A must have for collectors of the Western. As usual with Optimum there are no extras. You get the film and that is all, which is good enough for me.
The plot concerns Comanche Todd a half breed scout played by Richard Widmark in what is one of his very best screen roles. Todd has been captured by the brutal Sheriff Bull Harper for murdering his three brothers. What is not made clear is that these brothers had murdered Todds Indian wife and children. The sheriff comes across a wagon train and warns them about marauding Apache. He decides to stay overnight. During the night the wagon train is attacked. The only survivors are a group of teenagers/children who have gone for a midnight swim and Todd who has been thrown over a precipice with a wagon he has been manacled to. Miraculously he is still alive. The fight for survival is on. Todd with his wilderness skills is the only person who can get them all home, but the chances are slim so deep in hostile Apache territory. Half the group admire him for his bravery and the other half hate him as an Indian loving murderer. The action is unrelenting and all Todds survival skills are needed if they are to stay alive.
I am a great admirer of this film. It is a simple enough story but done in some style. It works quite beautifully. The cast is largely unknown although James Drury before his Virginian days crops up briefly. It has a handsome look to it and is a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. Well done yet again to Optimum for making this little gem available. This is a top quality Western which I can only highly recommend you watch. A must have for collectors of the Western. As usual with Optimum there are no extras. You get the film and that is all, which is good enough for me.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Last Wagon
Delmer Daves is a director best known for his westerns - though `Kings Go Forth', and `Dark Passage' are all well worth looking at - and this is one of his finest. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. Bernard Moss
Richard Widmark with a John Wayne voice
The one-star rating is for adults. If you are under fifteen it'll probably qualify for five stars. This is one of the Western Classics collection for grown-up children, those that... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Good book
He'll be safe. The first time he don't look safe, he'll get dead.
We open with a pursuit of a man across Canyon Of Death {Oak Creek Canyon}, the man being pursued is Comanche Todd. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Spike Owen
Super
This has to be one of Richard Widmark's finest westerns. Just as good ir even better than "Two Robe Together" Richard Widmark plays "Comanche Todd"(Widmark) accused of killing the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by "Smith" Reader
the last waggon
Ienjoyed this DVD very much Richard Widmark is always worth watching,a good story with a fine support from rest of cast great D.B.
Published 24 months ago by D. M. Bradley
WIDMARKS FINEST FILM .
just purchased this film due to the fine reviews and i have to agree with them , richard widmark has been in many a good western but the last wagon just about exceeds them and... Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2009 by BUBS.
A Fine Delmer Daves Western.
The fifties was a halcyon period for the Western. By this time it had been refined to an art form and many fine directors like John Ford,Howard Hawks, Anthony Mann and Budd... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2009 by Bob Salter
THE LAST WAGON (1956)
Another of Richard Widmark's good westerns.(1956-2006) - 98 minutes). The sheriff arrests "Comanche Todd"(Widmark) and wants to take him for hanging for killing his brothers. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2008 by Dr. S. S. Nagi
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