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How the West Was Won

Play trailer Poster for How the West Was Won G 1962 2h 44m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Setting off on a journey to the west in the 1830s, the Prescott family run into a man named Linus (James Stewart), who helps them fight off a pack of thieves. Linus then marries daughter Eve Prescott (Carroll Baker), and 30 years later goes off to fight in the Civil War with their son, with bloody results. Eve's sister, Lily (Debbie Reynolds), heads further west and has adventures with a professional gambler (Gregory Peck), stretching all the way to San Francisco and into the 1880s.
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How the West Was Won

Critics Reviews

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Kim Newman Empire Magazine Nov 20, 2017
3/5
In all the gargantuousness, however there are redeemable moments, especially in Ford's oddly scaled Civil War episode. Go to Full Review John Gillett Sight & Sound Jun 18, 2012
Here, then, is a film with apparently something for everyone. Certainly its team of four ace cameramen have provided a full quota of visual splendours and the rich colour definition in the long shots communicates an authentic thrill of pleasure. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Aug 26, 2008
It would be hard to imagine a subject which lends itself more strikingly to the wide-screen process than this yarn of the pioneers who opened the American West. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Feb 12, 2026
2.5/5
At least in its contemporary presentation, it feels like sitting at a very long, intermittently impressive museum movie. They called it Cinerama because there’s nothing sexy about what it feels like: a diorama. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Sep 20, 2025
3.5/4
To note that everything about How the West Was Won is big -- from its setting to its all-star cast to its Cinerama presentation -- is to issue an understatement. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Jul 20, 2024
7/10
Despite the amusement of the vast collection of stars and the whirlwind of Western adventure, it will surely be the score that persists beyond the other individual elements of this grandiose endeavor. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bear B @BearB Sep 6, 2026 Fun film that captures the mood and mindset of an era. Great to see so many iconic leading men in a single film. Really interesting cinematography. Debbie Reynolds, what can you say? They don’t make em’ like this anymore. CGI is the great cheapening. Strawberry fields… See more bruce C @bruce999 Aug 3, 2026 nicely done drama is interesting all the way. See more Steve B @RT36942293 Mar 29, 2026 Wait a second. They actually filmed a gigantic buffalo stampede. with closeups, without the aid of AI, in 1962 that was on screen for what seemed like 20 minutes. And it had James Stewart, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Debbie Reynolds and lots more. It can't be all bad. It wasn't. Great sets, big production. But it was a product of its time. Simplistic script, non-controversial and subtly suggesting that it was in EVEFRYONE'S best interest that the West was won by white American men. See more William G @RT28343036 Feb 9, 2025 This movie was a masterpiece. Some of the cinematography is just amazing… the Indian attack, the raft ride on the rapids ! Today it would be all CGI, but not back in ‘62. Wonder how they ever did it. Good story too. Worth watching! See more C @RT89813516 Nov 13, 2023 An ambitious movie for its time, 1962. Overall well written and acted. The Cinerama feature and color worked, having a modern feel to the movie. Historically, accurate enough, but seemed to bypass the cause of the Civil War, slavery. Grant was confident he could beat the Confederate forces at Shilo. The train chase ending was filmed real good. Great stunt work. Overall a good movie. Cheers. See more Jul 8, 2023 One very good movie out here with an all-star cast highly recommend it, James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, July 8, 2023 See more Read all reviews
How the West Was Won

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Cast & Crew

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John Ford

Director

Henry Hathaway

Director

George Marshall

Director

Richard Thorpe

Director

Carroll Baker

Eve Prescott

Lee J. Cobb

Marshal Lou Ramsey

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How the West Was Won

How the West Was Won (1962) How the West Was Won (1962) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Setting off on a journey to the west in the 1830s, the Prescott family run into a man named Linus (James Stewart), who helps them fight off a pack of thieves. Linus then marries daughter Eve Prescott (Carroll Baker), and 30 years later goes off to fight in the Civil War with their son, with bloody results. Eve's sister, Lily (Debbie Reynolds), heads further west and has adventures with a professional gambler (Gregory Peck), stretching all the way to San Francisco and into the 1880s.
Director
John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall, Richard Thorpe
Producer
Bernard Smith
Screenwriter
John Gay, James R. Webb
Distributor
Turner Pictures, Cinerama Releasing Corporation [us], MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Cinerama Productions Corp.
Rating
G
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 1, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 24, 2014
Runtime
2h 44m
Sound Mix
Magnetic Stereo 4 Track
Aspect Ratio
70mm
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