Stagecoach: A Story of Redemption

"Stagecoach: A Story of Redemption" is a short video made in 2006 to accompany a DVD release of the classic 1939 Western, "Stagecoach." That was the movie that launched John Wayne's star as a movie actor, and established him as THE leading man of Westerns. But, the 1939 film also ignited a resurgence in Western films in Hollywood for the next four decades. And, of course, for three of those, John Wayne would be the most famous of the Western stars. But the popularity of the Western genre was such that virtually every leading man in Hollywood during those decades starred in at least one Western - and a good number played in several Westerns.

All of the above is what is covered in this very good short about the background of the 1939 classic film, and its making. And, how John Ford foresaw and led the resurgence of Westerns, and how he stood up for wouldn't back down in picking John Wayne as the star.

Author and film historian Rudy Behlmer and director, writer and actor Peter Bogdanovich lead the commentary. John Ford's grandson, Dan Ford, provides some interesting background and a couple others add information.