KINORAFIELD GUIDE TO FILM
1962 · 164 min · G

How the West Was Won

Directed by John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall · Western

How the West Was Won (1962) is a Western film, directed by John Ford, Henry Hathaway, and George Marshall set in St. Louis, San Francisco, and Arizona during the 1800s. It runs 164 minutes and is rated G.

A western, with a hopeful tone. Themes of family & loyalty play out through episodic chapters.

Composer
Alfred Newman
Cinematography
Charles LangJoseph LaShelleMilton KrasnerWilliam H. Daniels
Cast
Carroll BakerLee J. CobbHenry FondaCarolyn JonesKarl MaldenGregory PeckGeorge PeppardRobert Preston

The world of this film

Premise & themes

Premise
Tone
Hopeful

Shape

Protagonist
Ensemble
Pacing
Measured
  • 1986

    Manhunter

    Florida · Atlanta · Birmingham · St. Louis — 1980s
    Urban · Suburbandir. Michael Mann
  • 1944

    Meet Me in St. Louis

    St. Louis — 1900s
    Urbandir. Vincente Minnelli
  • 1987

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles

    Wichita · St. Louis · Chicago · New York City — 1980s
    Urban · Ruraldir. John Hughes
  • 1979

    The Jerk

    Mississippi · St. Louis · Los Angeles — 1970s
    Rural · Urbandir. Carl Reiner
  • 1993

    What's Love Got to Do with It

    St. Louis · Los Angeles · Tennessee — 1950s · 1960s · 1970s · 1980s
    Urbandir. Brian Gibson
  • 1990

    White Palace

    St. Louis — 1990s
    Urbandir. Luis Mandoki