★ 7 / 10
It's been four years since a William S
Nick M
It's been four years since a William S. Hart picture made it to the list. He was a problematic man in real life, and so many of his films suffer from feeling…
It's been four years since a William S. Hart picture made it to the list. He was a problematic man in real life, and so many of his films suffer from feeling "samey" and predictable, but I found this one more engaging than most of his others I've seen. His character, Buckskin Hamilton, is anxious to meet his brother whom he raised--now freshly graduated from medical school--as the two haven't seen one another in some time. On the way to meet him, however, the brother gets caught up with a pair of crooked gamblers whom he catches cheating him at cards. One of the gamblers draws a gun, and Buckskin's brother is shot to death in the scuffle. After hearing their story, Buckskin is persuaded that it was an accident, but isn't entirely convinced that he's being told the whole truth of the affair. They are all folded into a wagon caravan bound west for Santa Fe, and along the way Buckskin is given more reason to suspect foul play. He eventually learns the truth, but matters are complicated when he is faced with a decision that requires him to balance the lives of his brother's killer, himself, and the entire caravan. The acting was stronger across the board than I usually see in his films, and I was surprised to see new emotional depth from Hart himself. What's more, they didn't attempt to play up what must have been a tempting romance angle which would have damaged the integrity of the narrative. That took admirable restraint.
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★ 7 / 10
Legendary Star in Short Silent Western
dglink
A tidy western from the early days of silent films, "Wagon Tracks" stars William S. Hart as a buckskin-clad scout for a wagon train crossing the plains to…
A tidy western from the early days of silent films, "Wagon Tracks" stars William S. Hart as a buckskin-clad scout for a wagon train crossing the plains to Santa Fe. As Buckskin Hamilton, Hart pursues the truth behind the shooting death of his younger brother on a Mississippi river boat. Conveniently, the suspects and witnesses to the killing are traveling with Hamilton on the same wagon train. The plot is simplistic, the inter-titles border on florid, and the villain wears black and sports a dark mustache.
Made before the heights of silent film-making in the mid-1920's, "Wagon Tracks" is close to what many consider a typical silent film. The interior backdrops appear fake and flimsy, the acting is at times over-wrought, men are men, and women are, well, the weaker sex. Despite the age-related flaws, the nearly century-old film is worthwhile for many reasons. Among them, fine location photography, appropriate tinting to reflect time of day, and a formidable silent western star, William S. Hart. While not matinée-idol handsome, Hart was the epitome of the strong silent type, who preferred his horse over women, and, as Hamilton, his performance is not above showing emotion or nuance. Robert McKim is an appropriately dastardly villain, Lloyd Bacon is a weakling accomplice, and Jane Novak the easily manipulated female lead.
While "Wagon Tracks" is not a film to introduce silent movies to a new audience, this short western with a legendary star is a good follow-up for those who have sampled silent cinema and want to explore more films of the pre-sound era.
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