ianlouisiana Review of Stagecoach

Stagecoach (1986 TV Movie)

"Who exactly is this.. Geraldo.. fellow?"Mr A.Newley

[6/10 · 28 November 2014]

In "Stagecoach" the late Mr T.Post treads a difficult line between the original Ernest Haycox story "Stage to Lordsburg" with it's frontier values and the rather more liberal views of a mid 1980s audience to some of whom Geronimo might appear to be a freedom fighter rather than a brutish savage. His voice is articulated by Mr W.Nelson,one of the most significant Country artists of the 20th century who appears slightly uncomfortable as "Doc" Holliday,a man plucked from history to be the conscience of the movie. Having appeased contemporary sensibilities,Mr Post goes pretty much down the traditional Western road with a brave if not very bright lawman (Mr J.Cash),a bar girl (Miss E.Ashley),a gambler(Mr W.Jennings) and that most revered of American figures a pregnant lady(Miss M.Crosby) amongst others travelling on a stagecoach through Apache territory. It's a pleasing enough picture that lovers of TV Westerns should enjoy. There are some funny lines,many of which are deftly handled by Mr A.Newley as an itinerant whisky salesman,a role in which he was allowed to retain his English accent.Half - hearing a conversation about Geronimo,he says.."Excuse me..who exactly is this ..Geraldo.. fellow?" a line which,if spoken in American would have been meaningless but as he says it immediately brings to mind that most determinedly English of English bandleaders. Unfortunately,Mr Newley is whisked away in such haste as to almost appear rude,and the picture is rather diminished by his going. Nonetheless the second half is enlivened by the appearance of Mr K.Kristofferson as the Ringo Kid and he is twinkly but determined to get his vengeance on those who murdered his brothers. This is all good TV Movie stuff and my generation can sigh at the appearance of Mr L.Larue whose adventures at the Saturday Morning Pictures set many an 8 year - old heart a - flutter. You don't have to love Country Music to enjoy "Stagecoach" but it sure doesn't harm in any either.