Stagecoach
Director: John Ford
Year Released: 1939
Rating: 3.0
One of the defining films of both Ford and Wayne's careers - for the latter, especially, since it was his first important role. Acts as a giant metaphor for Western life: view of 'modern' life (at end) is more morally accepting/ambiguous (prostitution is accepted, Wayne's wanted killer character is redeemed through valiant behavior) as opposed to the outdated values of the town that everyone's leaving. It's one of the first road movies too (if the stagecoach itself is a stand-in for the fetishized car in American society), since the characters are affected by the haul (some live, some die, and those that live change as people). Feels a little remote, and the final gun battle is slapped on, but still quality moviemaking.
