The Way West

A mishandled version of AB Guthrie Jr's award-winning novel about a wagon train of pioneers charting the Oregon trail in 1843. The cast - Douglas as a frantically visionary senator, Mitchum as the veteran trail scout, Widmark as the leader of the settlers - is fine, and William Clothier's location photography impressive. But the script meanders badly, even taking time off for a bit of teenage romance involving nymphet Sally Field in her film debut, while McLaglen's direction is simply lacklustre.