Parents' Guide to

Stagecoach

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Classic John Wayne Western masterpiece promotes tolerance.

Movie NR 1939 96 minutes
Stagecoach Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 9+

Other questions to discuss

The ending scenes- the stunt work with the horses is just incredible. Those stuntmen were incredible. The scenery (Monument Valley, Utah) is so unique. Everyone should visit there at least once! I rated it a "just fine" do to culture concerns I have. To add to discussion questions listed on the main site for "Stagecoach": -Why is "the butcher Geronimo" on the warpath? Why has he "jumped the reservation"? -What do we know about Geronimo from this movies? -What speaking roles do the Apache have? -How could this movie be reshot today to include a more encompassing version of the same story?
age 11+

We were looking for a Western...

We watched this with my 11 & 9yo boys. The 9 yo repeatedly said he had trouble keeping the characters straight because they were in black and white! - Funny. This film took a little more explaining than I was expecting, but the quality of the story, and discussing prejudices was worth it.

This title has:

Great messages

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (3):

STAGECOACH is a supremely entertaining and engaging movie experience. John Ford was already an Oscar winner for best director when he made this movie, and it was clear even at the time that he had advanced the Western genre to a new level. It featured psychologically complex characters with an ironic twist on society's most and least accepted figures. Additionally, Ford ventured into Monument Valley for the first time, and instinctively used the Western landscape as an artistic, emotional, and physical enhancement for the onscreen drama, rather than just a backdrop.

The movie features some of the most dangerous stunts ever filmed, and they still dazzle. The archetypal characters are more than just archetypes; they still make an emotional connection. And nothing is more timely than the embezzling bank manager, who still manages to feel entitled, thanks to his high social standing. Stagecoach was a masterpiece in 1939, and it's a masterpiece now.

Movie Details

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