The War Wagon
Performance & Direction: The War Wagon Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The War Wagon (1967) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Western.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Western is often anchored by its ensemble, and The War Wagon features a noteworthy lineup led by John Wayne . Supported by the likes of Kirk Douglas and Howard Keel , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The War Wagon (1967) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The War Wagon
Quick Plot Summary: The War Wagon is a Western, Action, Crime film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The War Wagon
Ending Breakdown: The War Wagon concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to western resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the western themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The War Wagon reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The War Wagon Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The War Wagon incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a western, action, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The War Wagon adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The War Wagon?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Western films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The War Wagon
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $6.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: The War Wagon
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The War Wagon Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe War Wagon Parents Guide & Age Rating
1967 AdvisoryWondering about The War Wagon age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The War Wagon is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.8/10, and global collection metrics, The War Wagon stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1967 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The War Wagon worth watching?
The War Wagon is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Western movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The War Wagon parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The War Wagon identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The War Wagon?
The total duration of The War Wagon is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.
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Critic Reviews for The War Wagon
"Lomax" (Kirk Douglas) has an axe to grind with "Jackson" (John Wayne). Indeed, he has sworn to kill him when he is eventually let out of prison. Meantime, "Jackson" has a cunning plan to relieve a greedy mining boss "Pierce" (Bruce Cabot) of a load of gold. Maybe they could work together? Well "Lomax" agrees on the basis that he gets a share and a daily rate. Extra if he has to draw his gun, even more if he has to fire it. Fair enough, now they must recruit others to help out. With their plans coming along nicely, they face a new technological problem. "Pierce" has gone and got himself an horse-drawn armoured car, compete with a turret-mounted Gattling gun that can fire hundreds of rounds a minute, mowing down anything in it's path. Now they must adapt their plans and engage the help of the local Indians led by "Levi Walking Bear" (Howard Keel) as well as the sleazy but wily "Wes" (Keenan Wynn) who has a wife young enough to be his daughter and the young "Billy" (Robert Walker Jr) who might just prove to be more of a liability than an help! The last twenty minutes of this are about as good as westerns get, with plenty of action, pyrotechnics, screaming Indians and just a little bit of just desserts. Wayne, Douglas and Wynn work well together and Cabot does the smugly suited bully well too. A proper western adventure that I really quite enjoyed.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
