Where was the movie War Wagon filmed?
The 1967 Western film War Wagon directed by Burt Kennedy and starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, is a classic tale of revenge and redemption set in the Wild West. The movie follows the story of Taw Jackson (John Wayne), a notorious outlaw who is released from prison after serving 12 years for a crime he didn’t commit. Taw seeks revenge against the men who wronged him and teams up with a group of outlaws to steal a gold shipment from the town of Blue Rock.
Location Scouting
To recreate the Wild West atmosphere, the filmmakers scouted various locations in the United States and Mexico. War Wagon was primarily filmed on location in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, with some additional scenes shot in Mexico. Here are some of the specific locations where the movie was filmed:
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Spanish Fork, Utah | The town of Blue Rock was filmed in Spanish Fork, Utah. The town’s Main Street was used as the main street of Blue Rock, and many of the buildings were dressed up to resemble a 19th-century Western town. |
| Eureka, Utah | The town of Eureka, Utah, was used as the location for the mining town where Taw Jackson works before the movie begins. |
| Slate Creek, Utah | The Slate Creek area in Utah was used as the location for the scene where Taw Jackson and his gang steal the gold shipment. |
| Canyonlands National Park, Utah | Some of the movie’s exterior scenes, including the iconic scene where Taw Jackson and his gang escape from the posse, were filmed in Canyonlands National Park. |
| Gila National Forest, New Mexico | The Gila National Forest in New Mexico was used as the location for the scenes where Taw Jackson and his gang are hiding out from the law. |
| Agua Caliente, Mexico | Some of the movie’s interior scenes, including the scenes in the town’s saloon and the jail, were filmed in Agua Caliente, Mexico. |
Production Details
The filming of War Wagon took place from November 1966 to January 1967. The production team consisted of:
- Director: Burt Kennedy
- Producers: Marvin Schwartz and John Wayne
- Screenplay: Clair Huffaker
- Cinematography: Philip Lathrop
- Editing: Robert Lackey
The movie’s budget was approximately $3.5 million, which was relatively modest for a Western film of its time. Despite this, the film’s production values were high, with elaborate sets, costumes, and stunts.
Impact and Legacy
War Wagon was released in August 1967 and received generally positive reviews from critics. The movie holds a 7.4/10 rating on IMDB and a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While it was not a massive commercial success, the film has since become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the best Westerns of the 1960s.
Trivia and Fun Facts
Here are some interesting trivia and fun facts about the movie War Wagon:
- John Wayne’s iconic horse: John Wayne’s horse, Duke, was used in the movie and has become an iconic symbol of the film.
- Kirk Douglas’s first Western: War Wagon was Kirk Douglas’s first Western film, and he played the role of Taw Jackson’s nemesis, Lomax.
- Burt Kennedy’s directorial debut: War Wagon was Burt Kennedy’s directorial debut, and he went on to direct several other Westerns throughout his career.
- Real-life gold shipment: The movie’s storyline is inspired by a real-life gold shipment that was stolen from a train in California in the late 19th century.
In conclusion, War Wagon is a classic Western film that has become a staple of the genre. The movie’s unique blend of action, adventure, and revenge has made it a fan favorite, and its stunning location settings have added to its enduring appeal. While the movie was primarily filmed in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, with some additional scenes shot in Mexico, its legacy continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and Western enthusiasts alike.
