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The War Wagon

The War Wagon

The War Wagon Rolls And The Screen Explodes!

1967101 minUnratedMidcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Director
Burt Kennedy
Starring
John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Howard Keel, Robert Walker Jr.

An ex-con seeks revenge on the man who put him in prison by planning a robbery of the latter's stagecoach, which is transporting gold. He enlists the help of a partner, who could be working for his nemesis.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The War Wagon?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The War Wagon streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The War Wagon?

The War Wagon earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is The War Wagon worth watching?

The War Wagon's Midcredits score is the 75th percentile of all films, from 17K ratings across 5 sources. 68% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

75th percentile

Better received than 75% of films

78th percentile among Drama72nd percentile among 1960s
Acclaim (how much people like it)72nd
Approval (how many liked it)76th

68 /100

72nd percentile of all films

75th percentile among Drama71st percentile among 1960s

Critics 65 · Audience 68

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.0 — solid but not unanimous.

68% liked it

76th percentile of all films

78th percentile among Drama72nd percentile among 1960s
68% rated it 7–1032% rated it 1–6

Critics 82% · Audience 77%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 0 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

84th percentile

17K ratings across platforms

86th percentile among Drama89th percentile among 1960s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 28% in 30 days

Box office

Domestic gross$12M

What reviewers say

Common ground

An entertaining, light-hearted western caper that doesn't aspire to be more than a fun Saturday-matinee adventure.

Fans praised

  • Wayne and Douglas's charismatic, witty chemistry
  • Tongue-in-cheek, hybrid western-caper tone
  • Lively action set-pieces, especially the finale

Detractors panned

  • Generic, paint-by-numbers plot with implausible logistics
  • Howard Keel's miscast, embarrassing Indian portrayal
  • Silly, over-the-top war wagon design and slapstick chases

What stands out

ActingDivisive75

Chemistry between Wayne and Douglas praised; some supporting roles criticized as wooden

HumorDivisive70

Dry, bawdy comedy; much of it from Douglas's performance

DialogueDivisive65

Witty, sardonic banter between leads; otherwise forgettable

Plot and storyDivisive55

Generic revenge-caper structure; implausible contrivances noted

CharactersDivisive50

Stock, shallow characters; Douglas's Lomax more colorful than Wayne's

OriginalityDivisive40

Derivative heist-western hybrid with familiar tropes

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 12 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 10 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is The War Wagon like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It has a few laughs and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film presents its caper plot with a light, knowing touch, balancing dry humor with straightforward adventure.
The rideThe film maintains a steady tension around the heist and its risks, with moments of warmth between the crew, but never lets the pressure drop for long.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from Jackson's return through team assembly and the execution of the heist.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you entertained with a light, satisfying caper that ends on a playful note.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Quest
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% (this title) · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Treasure hunt: Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeTaw Jackson returns from prison and assembles a team to rob the armored gold shipment of the man who framed him, driving the story as a quest for treasure and payback.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRevengeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% (this title) · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% (this title) · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Revenge · 4% of filmsGreed · 3% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe story centers on Taw's desire for revenge against Pierce for framing him and stealing his land, intertwined with themes of greed and shifting loyalties among the heist crew.
StanceThe film treats the revenge quest and the eventual heist as a triumph of rugged individualism over corrupt power, celebrating the outlaw's way.

The world

19th centuryRuralIn transitRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Dimitri Tiomkin
Settinga frontier town and its surrounding ranch country, where a corrupt businessman controls the gold trade
MusicA classic Western score by Tiomkin, typical of the genre's sweeping orchestral sound.

Content guide

Is The War Wagon okay for kids?

Unrated

The War Wagon is not rated. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at minimal (8/100), language at mild (20/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (50/100) and frightening material at mild (25/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 3 other countries
  • Germany16
  • IrelandG
  • ItalyT
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (21 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The War Wagon have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The War Wagon?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

John Wayne
as Taw Jackson
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kirk Douglas
as Lomax
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Howard Keel
as Levi Walking Bear
Robert Walker Jr.
as Billy Hyatt
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Keenan Wynn
as Wes Fletcher
Bruce Cabot
as Frank Pierce
Joanna Barnes
as Lola
Valora Noland
as Kate
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Bruce Dern
as Hammond
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Gene Evans
as Deputy Hoag

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The War Wagon?

Movies like The War Wagon include Sneakers (1992), Topkapi (1964) and The Train Robbers (1973). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by Burt Kennedy, and most are treasure hunt stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its feel: playful. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The War Wagon?

1.2K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: outlaw. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.