Westward the Women (1994, VHS)

Westward The Women has always been one of my favorite westerns! With a fantastic cast of both knowns and unknowns, this film tells the story of a wagon train of women headed west to the ranch of a wealthy man, to become the "barter brides" of his ranch crew. It was not an unusual thing for women to join such groups in the early days of our country. Single men were scarce in the cities for poor, uneducated women (unless a life as a "soiled dive" appealed), and the promise of a husband to care for and to protect her was a wonderful thought.

This film leads us west with Buck (Robert Taylor) and his hardened crew of men who are escorting the wagon train of tough, eager women to their new homes and lives. The rancher (John Ireland) is paying by the head, but he doesn't want any "soiled doves" for his men...no siree! He wants good, religious, hard working females who can be the kind of help-meets and wives a good hard working crew of ranch hands need beside them. He employs Buck to select a group of good women, and bring them safely home through dangers of the worst sort...hostile Indians, bands of outlaws, and some of the worst territory and the roughest to traverse in the world.

Buck picks winners by the dozens...women with good educations...women with solid religion...and women who can survive the hardships of their westward journey. And one for himself. (Denise Darcel) Only he doesn't know she's picked him out of the hundred or so pictures he has hung on the wall for the women to choose from. You see, unlike other such wagon trains of women, these gals are allowed to CHOOSE the man they want from the ranch hands and men who await them...no "sight-unseen" pairings here!

Buck has no patience for women, and thinks them unable to survive the hardships, but he is being paid well to bring home the brides, and he is a man who does the job well. Once on the trial, he realizes that one little blond has apparently set her sights on him, and that blows the tough trail boss away. He treats her to his tough guy routine and tells her he is not part of the deal, and she grabs one of the horses and high tails it in a fit of fury at his rejection. Of course, being the kind of guy he is, Buck can't let her ride off and end up in somebody's tepee! He gives chase, and catches her, tackling her and dragging her back. Of course, he grudgingly has to admire her spirit and her courage, even though he is unwilling to accept the fact that he is destined to be hers.

The film is filled with romance, exciting action, and then drama as the women must bravely take over responsibility for their own safety after the unsavory crew of males who would victimize them are all fired by Buck. He asks the women if they want to turn back because their "protectors" are no longer there to protect them. The women take a vote. They will continue on to their desperately desired new lives, even though dangers galore and even death are waiting on the trail ahead.

There are moments of laughter, and moments of poignant sorrow as the women bury their dead along the rutted road to freedom and love...but I won't spoil the trip for you. Take it with your family in your living room.

This is a VERY RARE, OOP film, and you have to beware because some sellers are selling pirated tapes, but when you can find a legal copy, jump! Expect to pay more than you would pay for most other films, but it is worth it.

I highly recommend this one!

I just recieved and watched my new movie and I loved it.This is a movie that I would recommend for a "family night" at the movies.

I've been trying to find this movie for a long time. It is one of my favorites. There is nothing negative to say about it. It's wonderful. Not enough movies concentrate on the hardships women faced going west. This one has marvelous characters, and lots of humor. Highly recommended.

A fun movie to watch! ONE OF MY FAVORITES!! It's about love, fear, hardship etc, with a little comedy thrown in! I have been watching this movie every chance I get since I was a little girl....when I saw it listed, I had to buy it!