Copyright 12 July 1940 by Republic Pictures Corp. New York opening at the Criterion: 18 August 1940. U.S. release: 12 July 1940. U.K. release through British Lion: 11 November 1940. No Australian theatrical release. 9 reels. 79 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Dust Bowl farmers move themselves and their North Dakota township 1,500 miles to Oregon.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Downbeat but inspiring. Suitable for all.
COMMENT: John Alton's atmospheric cinematography is the major asset of this odd Americana drama. Although he has close to a characteristic role (a stubborn leader, a man of action and strong principles, yet comradely and romantic), John Wayne is not exactly going to please most of his fans, who are sure to find the setting bizarre. At the time of the film's release, Republic capitalized on Fox's The Grapes of Wrath, but few present-day viewers will make this connection. Another problem is that in order not to be accused of a direct steal from Steinbeck, this film's writers have clouded the central story with a major sub-plot about a refugee doctor, his beautiful daughter and (virtually right at the finish) a former suitor who turns out to be a Nazi. One feels that the story would have come across with more impact had some of these plot strands been eliminated and the Wayne character filled in and backgrounded instead. In fact, the focus of the film is firmly on Coburn for the first half, with Wayne playing a subsidiary role.
The location scenes still impress. The dust-storm episodes are unforgettable - even when Alton's striking images are undermined by obvious studio cut-ins. Coburn handles the central role with his usual cunning authority, Sigrid Gurie is charming enough, while Spencer Charters makes the most of one of his biggest roles as Wayne's sidekick and town fixture. Bardette plays a minor villain with grumpy finesse, Russell Simpson over-acts the minister. The rest of the players, including thankfully Sonny Bupp (who I must admit is quite adequate here) have no more than cameos.
OTHER VIEWS: Strikingly photographed by John Alton in a tone that is appropriately bleak and gray, Three Faces West is a bit of an entertainment no-no. The script's two stories are imperfectly welded, with audience focus and character motivation changing abruptly. Director Vorhaus is not much help. He's a great fan of close-ups, but does precious little to help the story's pace and drama. What paltry action there is, he seems anxious to get over with as quickly as possible, so that he can get back to more humdrum scenes with foregone-conclusions and lots of beating-about-the-bush dialogue.
SYNOPSIS: Dust Bowl farmers move themselves and their North Dakota township 1,500 miles to Oregon.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Downbeat but inspiring. Suitable for all.
COMMENT: John Alton's atmospheric cinematography is the major asset of this odd Americana drama. Although he has close to a characteristic role (a stubborn leader, a man of action and strong principles, yet comradely and romantic), John Wayne is not exactly going to please most of his fans, who are sure to find the setting bizarre. At the time of the film's release, Republic capitalized on Fox's The Grapes of Wrath, but few present-day viewers will make this connection. Another problem is that in order not to be accused of a direct steal from Steinbeck, this film's writers have clouded the central story with a major sub-plot about a refugee doctor, his beautiful daughter and (virtually right at the finish) a former suitor who turns out to be a Nazi. One feels that the story would have come across with more impact had some of these plot strands been eliminated and the Wayne character filled in and backgrounded instead. In fact, the focus of the film is firmly on Coburn for the first half, with Wayne playing a subsidiary role.
The location scenes still impress. The dust-storm episodes are unforgettable - even when Alton's striking images are undermined by obvious studio cut-ins. Coburn handles the central role with his usual cunning authority, Sigrid Gurie is charming enough, while Spencer Charters makes the most of one of his biggest roles as Wayne's sidekick and town fixture. Bardette plays a minor villain with grumpy finesse, Russell Simpson over-acts the minister. The rest of the players, including thankfully Sonny Bupp (who I must admit is quite adequate here) have no more than cameos.
OTHER VIEWS: Strikingly photographed by John Alton in a tone that is appropriately bleak and gray, Three Faces West is a bit of an entertainment no-no. The script's two stories are imperfectly welded, with audience focus and character motivation changing abruptly. Director Vorhaus is not much help. He's a great fan of close-ups, but does precious little to help the story's pace and drama. What paltry action there is, he seems anxious to get over with as quickly as possible, so that he can get back to more humdrum scenes with foregone-conclusions and lots of beating-about-the-bush dialogue.