"We're blazing a trail that started in England."
John Wayne didn't really tame the wild, wild west; it just seems like he did. The man is larger than life and about as iconic as it gets. JOHN WAYNE - THE FOX WESTERNS doesn't come close to showcasing his best films, with two of the four - THE COMANCHEROS and THE UNDEFEATED - being merely passable fare. However, a third entry NORTH TO ALASKA is a good-natured, rollicking film, while THE BIG TRAIL is a little known but historically momentous cinematic gem.
Plenty to say about THE BIG TRAIL. Back in 1930, Marion Morrison was 23 years old and working as prop man on the movie lot when legendary director Raoul Walsh saw him and took an enormous chance. Marion's name was changed to John Wayne, and he was given the lead in Walsh's ambitious, sweeping western epic THE BIG TRAIL. Note that even though director John Ford had already planted Wayne in several films, it was as an extra. Wayne was very raw here, in his first starring role; but that doesn't mean he wasn't good...
A very good set for the price....real Wayne bookends...from 1930 to 1960+
This set contains an absolute GEM...which is the 2 disc THE BIG TRAIL from 1930(the 2008 Widescreen edition) and three lesser 1960's era Wayne colour widescreen films. The Big Trail is a must have for western, film or wayne fans and the three others are certainly fun later Wayne films that don't add much price to the package. I should add that earlier editions of these three films had nice / fun featurettes that have been elminated from this offering ..so if you have them I'd get the new BIG TRAIL on its own.
4 favorite Duke westerns
Not a collection of his greatest, but that are a lot of fun. The Commancheros is certainly an old favorite, Big Trail is a collector's item, North to Alaska is very funny, and the Undefeated is worthwhile. Nice to have them all in one set.
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