Wagons East (1994)
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0% of critics liked it
(28 reviews) -
32% of users liked it
(7,568 ratings)
Comedian John Candy, who died during the making of this poorly received comic western, plays James Harlow, a 19th century wagon master who is heading back east with a wagon train full of oddball characters who have had their fill of Western life. They include ex-doctor Phil Taylor (Richard Lewis),… More Comedian John Candy, who died during the making of this poorly received comic western, plays James Harlow, a 19th century wagon master who is heading back east with a wagon train full of oddball characters who have had their fill of Western life. They include ex-doctor Phil Taylor (Richard Lewis), kind-hearted prostitute Belle (Ellen Greene), and a bookseller, Julian (John C. McGinley). Harlow is a drunken, washed-up leader who frequently gets lost. The travelers eventually discover that he was a member of the famous Donner party, which resorted to cannibalism when stranded in the mountains. Railroad magnates try to turn back the party, figuring it's bad publicity for people out East to learn that the West is not really a paradise. The tycoons hire gunfighters and villains to stop the expedition, but local Indians protect the wagons, because they are glad to see disgruntled white settlers leaving their lands. This "backwards" western was based on a story by Jerry Abrahamson. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- Peter Markle
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Aug 26, 1994 Wide
- On DVD
- Jun 18, 2002
- Studio
- Artisan Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
[An] anemic Blazing Saddles-wannabe.
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
A poorly focused and rhythmless collection of vignettes, Wagons East! does contain a few funny ideas and some decent performances that simply are not enough to rescue the movie.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A stridently unfunny western comedy that is equally lame in its writing and direction.
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Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
With credits that include such garbage as Hot Dog... The Movie, director and former hockey player Peter Markle displays an utter lack of comic sensibility.
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Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
A sunshiney hodgepodge of bad jokes, nice scenery and reverse stereotypes.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Candy
as James Harlow
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Richard Lewis
as Phil Taylor
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John C. McGinley
as Julian
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Ellen Greene
as Belle
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Robert Picardo
as Ben Wheeler
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Ed Lauter
as John Slade
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Rodney A. Grant
as Little Feather
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William Sanderson
as Zeke
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Melinda Culea
as Constance Taylor
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Robin McKee
as Lindsey Thurlow
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Russell Means
as The Chief
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Charles Rocket
as Gen. Larchmont
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Ryan Cutrona
as Tom
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Thomas F. Duffy
as Clayton Ferguson
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David Dunard
as Harry Bob Ferguson
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Steve Eastin
as Bartender
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Randy Hall
as Pony Express Rider
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Chad Hamilton
as Ricky Jones
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Don Lake
as Lieutenant
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Denver Mattson
as Card Player
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Marvin J. McIntyre
as Irving Ferjuson
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Joel McKinnon Miller
as Zack Ferguson
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Ethan Phillips
as Smedly
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Jimmy Ray Pickens
as Scout
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Tony Pierce
as Junior Ferguson
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Bud Davis
as Desperado Leader
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Mauricio Martinez
as Card Player
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Abraham Benrubi
as Abe Furguson
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Joe Bays
as River Townsman
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Lochlyn Munro
as Billy
