It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

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

THE WAY WEST is a Hollywood western that might well be described as 'Oregon Trail, the movie'. Kirk Douglas leads a bunch of settlers from the Eastern seaboard to Oregon, and their wagon train must deal with numerous problems along the way. There are deep rivers to cross, valleys that need descending, arid salt pans to get through, as well as hostile Sioux tribes with murder in mind. Of course, the greatest conflict comes from within the group. I liked this character-based drama which moves along as nicely as the wagon train itself and has plenty of sub-plots to get involved with. The dream team of Douglas, Richard Widmark and Robert Mitchum were all seasoned western stars and do very well with the material they're given, while Sally Field has a memorable early role as a man-hungry teen. The ending is particularly strong here.

This film was, in parts, historically wanting. For instance, there is a conflict in the time-line concerning the year of travel and the discovery of gold in California. The movie ends short of some of the most dangerous travel on the Oregon Trail.The scenery is great and the landmarks added a sense of reality. I enjoyed seeing most wagons pulled by oxen, as emigrants preferred the sturdy animal over horses or mules.Characterizations left a bit to be desired. While the acting was adequate there was no depth to any individual. That aside, it was worth watching for the cast alone.The story had possibilities but came up short.

This particular picture I seemed to have missed and did not realize the great veteran actors who showed up in this film. This is a tale about the West and the very realistic life of having to travel in a bumpy hard seat Covered Wagon to Oregon along with flying arrows from Native Americans. Kirk Douglas, (Sen. William J. Tadlock),"Bad & The Beautiful,'52, had a big mouth in this picture and even had a friend beat him with a whip. Robert Mitchem, (Dick Summers),"Cape Fear",'62, gave an outstanding performance but really didn't belong in this film. Richard Widmark,(Lije Evans),"Kiss of Death",'47, was a pretty tough guy and has some very good fight scenes and seemed to knock himself out playing this role. Sally Field,(Mercy McBee),"Hooper",'78, played a very young girl, as she appeared in this picture, who got married and had a very nice surprise for her mom & dad and the entire town who attended the marriage ceremony. All these actors must have had a contract to full fill and I think they all wondered why they had to perform in this so called WESTERN.

this film is a great disappointment to those who enjoy westerns.2 out of 10. the boredom i got out of watching this film was so immense i literally fell asleep for real! the way west is so boring and dreary that it should be banned !! ok maybe that is too drastic, but honestly, for you western movie lovers, take my advice and do not watch the way west if you have not already...boredom is one word to sum it all up.