How a 1967 Western heist film became a unique turning point for John Wayne

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The War Wagon stands out in the career of John Wayne, who famously took on a rare villainous role in this heist-driven Western. Directed by Burt Kennedy, the film follows a former rancher seeking revenge against a corrupt businessman, leading to a high-stakes robbery involving an armored stagecoach.

Released in 1967, The War Wagon features John Wayne as Taw Jackson, a man wrongfully imprisoned by a businessman named Frank Pierce. To settle his score, Jackson assembles a team to intercept a shipment of gold dust transported in an armored vehicle known as the war wagon. The ensemble cast includes Kirk Douglas as the gunslinger Lomax, alongside Howard Keel, Robert Walker Jr., and Bruce Dern. The screenplay, adapted by Clair Huffaker from his own 1957 novel Badman, underwent significant development, with Huffaker spending three months on the script after writing the original book in just ten days.

Production was a collaborative effort between Universal Pictures and Wayne’s own company, Batjac. Filming began in September 1966 and spanned 12 weeks, with locations including Durango and Churubusco Studios in Mexico. The shoot was marked by a lighthearted rivalry between the leads; after Douglas arrived late to film a political endorsement for Democrat Pat Brown, Wayne arrived late the following day to film a commercial for Republican candidate Ronald Reagan. Director Burt Kennedy noted that he allowed Wayne to direct his own performance, contributing to the film's reputation as a Western with a distinct, quiet humor.

The film proved to be a financial success, debuting at the top of the domestic box office and grossing over $9.5 million. Critics responded favorably, with Roger Ebert awarding it three out of four stars and highlighting the novelty of Wayne playing a character who is not a traditional hero. The production also featured a notable musical contribution, with a theme song composed by Dimitri Tiomkin and lyrics by Ned Washington, performed by Ed Ames. Ultimately, the story concludes with a twist: the gold is lost to the local Kiowa tribe, leaving the team to wait six months for their next opportunity to divide the remaining loot.

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