Westbound

The not so good first. The use of weaponry by all of the characters years before it was available. Much of the clothing appears more appropriate for a modern day dude ranch rather than the 1860's west (although I always love Randy's dark blue shirt, dark blue pants and yellow bandanna). The writing and characterizations just were not on a par with the other Scott/Boetticher efforts.

The good news. This is a Randolph Scott western. None of the above matters. Enjoy!

Agree with other viewers that "Westbound" is the least of the seven Budd Boettcher/Randolph Scott westerns. But the assured work of both Director Boettcher and Star Scott take this up a notch or two from the run-of-the-mill fifties oater. Nice work too from Michael Pate as the arch villain (watch the way he moves). And it's good to see Virginia Mayo, even in a throwaway role. In most other respects, though, this just isn't up to Boettcher's other work with Scott, and the fact Boettcher dismissed and virtually disowned it is no surprise. The movie lacks the tough, lean feel that makes the others real classics that can be seen over and over. One viewing is enough for "Westbound."

Out of Warner Brothers and filmed in Warnercolor, Westbound is directed by Budd Boetticher & written by Berne Giler & Albert Shelby LeVino. It stars Randolph Scott, Virginia Mayo, Karen Steele, Michael Dante, Andrew Duggan & Michael Pate. The story is set in 1864 during the American Civil War where Scott plays John Hayes, the man charged with the task of running the Overland Stage Line between California and Julesburg, Colorado. The function of which is to transport gold and the mail to aid the Union war effort. In Julesburg, Hayes finds a host of problems with Confederate sympathisers led by Clay Putnam (Duggan), who also happens to be married to Norma (Mayo), an old flame of Hayes.

Of the seven Western film's that Boetticher and Scott made, Westbound is widely regarded as the weakest. Not part of the Ranown cycle they did that featured Harry Joe Brown on production and Burt Kennedy screen writing, it is a decent, if disposable, Western movie. The story is actually rather enticing, but with such a small running time and a condensed location shoot, the movie is never quite able to lay down some solid footings for the characters to flourish from. This leaves the supporting actors either exposed to their failings as thesps (Duggan is particularly bad), or playing underdeveloped participants (sadly the case with Mayo).

However, this being Boetticher & Scott it does have some nice passages to take in, unsurprisingly the best of which is when Scott is on screen. Be it cocking a rifle with one hand, throwing one of his best ever punches, squaring off against Pate's effective turn as henchman Mace; or laying on some reflective emotion around the two ladies of the piece, Scott is always captivating. What action there is is attention grabbing for the budget and David Buttolph provides a perky score that's at its best during the stagecoach sequences. With the exteriors primarily filmed at the Warner Ranch, J. Peverell Marley is able to photograph enough of the grassy hilled scenery to make an easy on the eye impact.

Enjoyable and safe fare for Western fans, but very much a low key affair from the normally dynamite partnership of director & star. 6/10

Greeting.

I cannot recall exactly how many times I have watched the film, "Westbound." I saw it in the theaters with my dad in 1959, and on TV many, many times since then. I have always enjoyed Randolph Scott, and Virginia Mayo (from St. Louis)! I liked the story of gold shipments from Julesburg, Colorado to the Federal Treasury. Confederates are waylaying the gold, and Randolph Scott returns to Julesburg to fix the problem.

Great story. Great story within a story of the one armed Federal veteran running a relay station. The color was good too. HOWEVER, what grabbed my attention, and still does, is the musical score! The music, especially the theme for traveling stagecoaches, is perfect, and very melodic!

Music is for me one of the major elements in a film. It must all be taken in together. I want desperately to purchase a VHS or DVD of Westbound so I can view it sans commercials, with great enjoyability!!! One of my very favorite Westerns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry Klasek

This is a decent western—how could it not be since it stars Randolph Scott, always a cowboy who could make you believe it. Here he's a cavalry officer charged with getting gold shipments back east for the Union war effort. Trouble is there are Southern sympathizers in town, including his romantic rival (Duggan) and the hired gunsel (Pate); on the other hand, Scott's only help is a one-armed ex-Union soldier and his eye-catching wife (Dante & Steele).

Most of the action occurs in town or at the stagecoach way station, but we do get some well-chosen scenic shots in Warner Color. Also, Dante makes a likable ally for Scott, as he shows us how to fire a rifle with only one hand; at the same time, he and Scott play off one another really well. However, Mayo's role looks like an inessential add-on, maybe for marquee value.

Unfortunately, that final shootout is not up to Boetticher's usual standards— for example, Mace (Pate) looks like he wants to get shot, standing in the middle of the street as bullets fly. Speaking of the versatile Michael Pate, he seems to have been in about every sage opera of the period. But then he's got such a different look, so well suited to playing baddies.

Anyway, the overall result is not on par with Boetticher's classic Ranown series of westerns, made at about the same time, (The Tall T {1957}, et al.). It's a comparison that may indicate the importance of producer Harry Joe Brown to that exceptional series. Nonetheless, Westbound is still worth a look-see as Scott turns in another fine performance.