Search - Dawn on the Great Divide on DVD

Best wagon train scene ever!

Derek Hagen | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | 10/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't seen this copy, so I don't know if they will publish this review, but I already have the movie. The almost-ten-minute wagon train scene near the beginning is priceless. It's constantly, slowly moving and done so well you really get the feel for what such a trip must have been like. A variety of people from that era are characterized rather well for a B western. There is tragedy at the beginning which leads to Mona Barry doing a rendition of "Rock of Ages" acapella which, along with her short commentary about herself after, will break your heart. I've never heard anything like it. Tears flow every time I watch it. Great stuff Mona, wherever you are.

Again Buck gets to hold a baby and call him "little shaver". I love that. Buck does a solid job as always. This was his last movie before dying in the Cocoanut Grove fire in '42. The story line is good and there is the occasional nifty quote - "I've got to hand it to you Easterners, you sure are slick with the brain-power" is my favorite.

This version probably follows Alpha's usual quality standards. Hey, at least they are putting them out there, so I give them full credit for that. Many of these movies would never be seen by a large number of us if it wasn't for them. Hey, Alpha, why don't you start a Digitally Remastered division and make this your first one. The audio and video of this 70 minute B Western epic simply cry out for digital enhancement.

Whatever the quality, for Buck and especially for the wagon train scene and Mona Barry's "Rock of Ages", I'm giving it 5 stars.

Gospel"