Search - The Iron Horse (The Ford at Fox Collection) on DVD

Choo-choo good

E. D. Deuss | Phoenix, AZ | 01/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Iron Horse" (Fox, 1924) is the grandfather of the Epic Western, and this film made John Ford's career. What's interesting, I think, is that what would later be cliches in this film actually became cliches later in many Western films, but they were used here first.



The print quality is superb and, more importantly, is run at the proper speed. The score is likewise very good, and the film as a whole is excellent. There are two versions included on this DVD: the US version, and the international version, which is a little longer -- why, I don't know.



This DVD is a must-have for any serious (or non-serious, take your pick) collector. While it's a part of the "Ford at Fox" boxed set, it is also (like a few others in this set) available as a single. Highly recommended!"

Early American Cinematic Achievement

Randy Keehn | Williston, ND United States | 03/26/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I taped this John Ford film some months ago and was saving it for a rainy day. Given that Winter lasts a long time in North Dakota, I should have just waited for a snowy day. "The Iron Horse" is a very good movie and I was easily drawn into the characters, the action, and the plot. Come to think of it, characters, action and plot are the key elements of just about every John Ford film I've seen. The scope of the movie stretches across most of the country as well as roughly 20 years in the latter half of the 19th Century. It literally has a cast of thousands (although the herd of "10,000 cattle" seemed to be more like a couple of hundred if you count the calves as well). It has love interest, cowboys and Indians, murder and mayhem, great scenery, historical recreations, good guys and bad guys, etc etc etc. What it doesn't have is any notable big names in the cast. George O'Brien is the only name I could acknowledge and it must have been a lot later that I saw him in other movies because I barely recognized him in "The Iron Horse".



This film moves along at a pretty good clip and it's aided by an earlier version of the Victor Mclaglen/Ward Bond loveable misfits that permeated Ford's later films. There always seems to be several subplots going on simultaneously which helps maintain the interest. All in all "The Iron Horse" was a better movie than I thought it would be."

Sandy's way

Sanford Hoffman | HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK, US | 02/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly, considering this is a silent film, the acting was fantastic. The viewer can feel (yes feel, not hear) the pain, joy and everything else about the characters and know what they are really saying. I don't think that the color today used for films can come anywhere near the B&W that John Ford used. You get a real thrill from the action as you open your heart to the story. Don't even get me started on the lighting John Ford used. All the computers and other digital equipment today can never match the lighting in this film.



sh"

GREAT SILENT ACTION FILM

Waitsel Smith | Atlanta, GA USA | 02/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the few silent films that doesn't disappoint. It's full of action, and George O'Brien is always interesting to watch. There aren't many of his films that are good enough quality to enjoy, but this one is. Plus, any movie about trains, and any movie by John Ford, are always good bets. If you like silent action movies, George O'Brien, early westerns, John Ford or movies about trains, you'll like this one. Waitsel"