Wagons East! (1994)

0% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(7,405 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

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Peter Markle
Genres: Western, Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 26, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jun 18, 2002
Studio: Artisan Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Everyone's creative burners were on low heat for this woeful outing.
, Time Out
The humour is sufficiently scattershot to hit the mark once or twice, but basically a no-brains comedy.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

A fun western wagon trek with John Candy. I liked the funny gay cowboy character.
Marion R

Meh, It's just so predictable and average. Very minimal laughs.
Leo L

Hilarious.
Sarah P

Funny parody of what would have happened if the settlers couldn't "hack it" and decided to just come back.

Cast

            John Candy as James Harlow

            Richard Lewis as Phil Taylor

            John C. McGinley as Julian

            Ellen Greene as Belle

            Robert Picardo as Ben Wheeler

            Ed Lauter as John Slade

            Rodney A. Grant as Little Feather

            William Sanderson as Zeke

            Melinda Culea as Constance Taylor

            Robin McKee as Lindsey Thurlow

            Russell Means as The Chief

            Charles Rocket as Gen. Larchmont

            Ryan Cutrona as Tom

            Thomas F. Duffy as Clayton Ferguson

            David Dunard as Harry Bob Ferguson

            Steve Eastin as Bartender

            Randy Hall as Pony Express Rider

            Chad Hamilton as Ricky Jones

            Don Lake as Lieutenant

            Denver Mattson as Card Player

            Marvin J. McIntyre as Irving Ferjuson

            Joel McKinnon Miller as Zack Ferguson

            Ethan Phillips as Smedly

            Jimmy Ray Pickens as Scout

            Tony Pierce as Junior Ferguson

            Bud Davis as Desperado Leader

            Mauricio Martinez as Card Player

            Abraham Benrubi as Abe Furguson

            Joe Bays as River Townsman

            Lochlyn Munro as Billy
See full cast

Wagons East! (1994)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

Marion R

Leo L

Sarah P

Cast

Trailers & Clips