Stagecoach (1986)

Masterful Movie

disgusting, overrated, pointless

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

If you haven't seen the 1939 original directed by John Ford to make the comparison, this film doesn't stack up too badly. It pretty much follows the script of the earlier movie, with characters who remain mostly the same with a couple of minor variations. Willie Nelson's Doc Holliday is the notable exception, appearing here with fellow country music legends Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Seeing as how as an actor, Kristofferson is no John Wayne, it wasn't surprising that his entrance as The Ringo Kid didn't have the same high drama as that of Wayne's Ringo. The stakes weren't as high either, "Stagecoach" was the film that launched Wayne's career after only about fifty other films prior that he appeared in.The picture could probably have used a bit more humor to liven things up a bit. One of the things that impressed me about the original "Stagecoach" was how most of the characters started out as caricatures and wound up being people you either cared about, or so repulsive that you wanted to see them get what was coming to them. I didn't get the same sense of that here, as most likely, the celebrity status of the principals kept intruding on their portrayals. I thought Willie Nelson did the best job in his role as Doc Holliday, by contrast I felt Johnny Cash was rather bland as Marshal Curly Wilcox. Waylon Jennings was OK as gambler Hatfield, while Kristofferson's take on the Ringo Kid seemed watered down by his relationship with reformed hooker Dallas (Elizabeth Ashley). It didn't help that the chemistry between them seemed non-existent, except for Ashley's swooning eyes whenever she gazed on The Kid.So if I'm forced to make the call, I'd say see the original "Stagecoach" at some point, but if you're a fan of any of the principals, I don't think you'll come away disappointed. You might even learn a thing or two from the likes of Doc Holliday, like washing your hands with whiskey before delivering a baby. It's supposed to kill germs, right?

this is(a far as i can tell)the third version of the classic movie first directed in 1939 by John Ford and starring John Wayne.i haven't seen the second film(1966)so i can't comment on that one.this 1986 version though,i can comment on.in my mind,it doesn't come near to the original,which is a classic,and one of the best movies i have seen.this version has in many of the starring roles,Country and western singers of the era,including Willie Nelson,Waylon Jennings,Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.also in the cast are John Schneider(TV's Dukes of Hazard),June Carter Cash,Jessi Colter(wife of Waylon Jennings),and Mary Crosby(TV's Dallas)the movie was an entertaining diversion,but the acting was underwhelming.The only decent performance of the bunch came from Kristofferson.most of the dialogue wasn't that great,either,including a lot of one or two word conversations.and what was up with Mary Crosby and those lips,which looked like she'd had an allergic reaction to peanuts or shellfish,or something.either way,it looked stupid.the movie was also slow,with not much happening of any consequence,and almost zero character development.when it was over,i was indifferent to it.it's nothing memorable and will probably have faded from my mind in a day or so.still,if you have nothing better to do,it passes about 90 minutes or so.for me Stagecoach(1986)is a 6/10

Sorry I'm one of those sad people that loves this film because of it's cheesiness. I adore "The Outlaws" and sometimes that's enough. This is the third version f this film that I have seen and even though I am a huge John Wayne fan, his version loses out by being made so long ago. It was one of those movies I tend to forget when listing my favourites. Then there was Alex Cord (Archangel from Airwolf), blessed with Bing Crosby as Doc Holliday and Ann Margret as "Dallas" that one had some great points. I appreciate that Kris is a bit old to be a "Kid" but hey the whole cast is getting on a bit. This film is a must for those who enjoyed the old Kenny Rogers series "The Gambler", well that was me....actually probably only me.

Willie, Waylon, Johnny, and Kris play tough old west gunslingers who are on a coach in injun territory. This is a tale that has been told and re-told a thousand times. Nothing new here, but it may be a hoot for country fans to watch their heroes do a western. Not too bad acting out of the singers, except for Waylon. A cigar store indian is less wooden than he was. I guess the best thing about the film was that none of the gunslinging heros broke into song. Honestly though folks, Willie Nelson as Doc Holiday?