How the West Was Won: Classic Hollywood epic

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 06 November 2008 10:43

Each week, the Reel Dad looks for a film for parents to share with children. Some of the reviewed films are new; some are classics; all are selected for their “nutritional value” as part of a family’s movie experience. This week, the Reel Dad takes a fresh look at a classic film, How the West Was Won.

Sharing movies with your children can create memories that last a lifetime. Not only can the film be memorable, the entire experience can be well remembered by everyone in the family. From the popcorn to the previews to the feature, going to the movies can be a favorite family time, even in the comfort of your own home.

When I was eight, the movie to see was the all-star drama, How the West Was Won. Not only was it a nominee for the year’s Best Picture Oscar — for the excitement of its story and the passion of its drama — but it was presented in the ultimate widescreen process called Cinerama. This long-since-abandoned format — that surrounded filmgoers with images from three separate but connected projectors — is actually closer to today’s IMAX experience than a standard widescreen presentation. Only a handful of theaters in the 1960s were equipped to show films in Cinerama and, for the lucky ones of us who saw this fabulous film in that format, movies would never look the same.

For years, the only available copies of How the West Was Won — first on VHS, then on Laser Disc, and later on DVD — were severely cropped (eliminating much of what was shot for each frame) and pieced together from three film sources for each image (with visible seams showing where the images were joined). While this preserved the narrative, and the performances from such greats as Debbie Reynolds and James Stewart, it destroyed the magic of the original presentation. Cinerama didn’t translate to home viewing.

Until now. The new DVD transfer of How the West Was Won in Blue Ray is phenomenal. Its first disc offers the film in a digital widescreen format that shows all the imagery of the original but without the distracting seams. But it’s the second disc that makes home video history. Miraculously, the creators almost simulate the original Cinerama experience by formatting the film into what is labeled a “smile” shape. Simply, the video image expands at its corners to simulate how it felt as a moviegoer to sit in a Cinerama theater surrounded by vivid images. The experience is thrilling.

As a film, How the West Was Won stands the test of time. While its explanations of the reasons for American expansion may feel a bit simple, and its treatment of Native Americans a bit dated, the core of the drama still works. At its heart, this is a film about the strength of family and the passion for a country. For a family sharing the film together, this 1963 classic can provide a wonderful opportunity for conversation and fun, just like an evening at the movies should be.

Based on a Life Magazine series of articles, How the West Was Won traces the evolution of the settling of our country through the lives of a pioneer family. The fictional Prescotts battle rapids and river pirates to journey from the East to the West and, through later years, journey in covered wagons, fight in the Civil War, participate in the building of the transcontinental railroad, and confront reckless outlaws. Along the way, as every Hollywood star of the 1960s seems to make a guest appearance, we are treated to a most sumptuous collection of vistas and visuals beyond anything we see at the movies today. To say they don’t make them like this anymore is an understatement. This is a most extravagant and entertaining family film.

Years later, I can remember every detail of the first time I saw How the West Was Won, from the candy I selected at the concession counter to the color of the draperies in the theater. As parents, we hope our children remember their lives so clearly. Share this movie with them.

How the West Was Won

* Content: High. The story of the settling of the American West is as universal as any film can offer.

* Entertainment: High. Even with strong, serious content, there is plenty of action, human interest and visual splendor to entertain anyone.

* Message: High. Ultimately, this is the story of a country filled with “can do” spirit. And we can all use a dose of that now and then.

* Relevance: High. No matter how many times I see this film, I am always inspired by the persistence of its characters.

* Opportunity for Dialogue: High. From the amazing visuals to the touching drama to the vivid action, How the West Was Won can make for a great family movie night.