This remake of the original John Ford-directed 1939 version sticks to the same characters and mostly to the same story details, based on the 1937 short story "The Stage to Lordsburg". However, there are a number of significant differences. First, in many viewer's minds,is the replacement of John Wayne as the Ringo Kid by Alex Cord, who simply lacked the charisma of "Big John". Second, this version was shot in color, still a rare privilege in '39, not enjoyed by Ford's film. To me, this makes a huge difference, especially with the verdant scenery of the Colorado Rockies replacing the dry dusty Monument Valley scenery of the original. Although the unusual erosion remnants of that valley provide an unusual backdrop in Ford's film, they would have been much more spectacular in color, as realized in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and "The Searchers". Third, rather than scripted as taking place in AZ and NM, with Geronimo's bunch the main antagonists, here it is scripted as taking place in Wyoming, with Crazy Horse's bunch the main antagonist. Fourth, this longer version adds an initial massacre of a camped cavalry detachment by a Sioux war party to get the action started quickly. This makes an immediate impression that this is dangerous county for a lone stage to be traveling through vs. only hearsay that the Apache are on the warpath, in the original. The road is sometimes quite perilous, on a narrow ledge in the mountains, or a very primitive excuse for a road, more so than in the original. In both films, the stage personnel are far too efficient for realism in their shooting down pursuing Indians. This is a near universal criticism of westerns. Of course, the director knows that many in the audiences like to see antagonists fall over dead, especially from a galloping horse. Unlike the original, the stage personnel in this version don't need the help of the serendipitous arrival of a cavalry unit to beat off the remaining Indians chasing them. Also, unlike the original, the stage loses a back wheel, which makes the last leg of the journey vary precarious. I much doubt whether a stage could 'fly' in this condition.The showdown between Luke Plummer and Ringo is staged quite differently in the two films. In the original, it's a simple "High Noon" affair in the darkened street, and we don't see Luke and his sons fall. In this film, the shootout takes place in a fancy saloon. Ringo shoots down a chandelier, which starts a fire(no doubt aided by some gasoline sprinkled around). This brings out the hiding Plummers, and we see them fall.While Alex Cord was no John Wayne, Ann-Margaret is a much more cheerful woman that Claire Trevor, in the role of Dallas. That makes it a more pleasant experience, though perhaps Claire's dramatization is more realistic. Bing Crosby's Doc. Boone is more pleasant than Thomas Mitchel's brooding version. Van Heflin's portrayal of Curley, the Marshall, I prefer to George Bancroft's version. Mike Conner, as the card shark, Hatfield, is a cheerful dapper fellow, very different from John Carradine's dark menacing-looking character in the original. I prefer Donald Meek's characterization of the nervous whiskey drummer in the original over that of Red Buttons. I also prefer Andy Devine, with his unique manner of speaking and personality, in the original, over Slim Pickens, as the stage driver. However, Slim was also well cast in this role.On the whole, I prefer the remake over the original, despite the absence of a charismatic actor for Ringo. You may consider the generally darker atmosphere of the original more appropriate. I don't consider either version as among my favorite westerns. "Dark Command", Wayne's 1940 offering is more to my liking.

I don't know what to say about the taste of those who like the 1939 version of this movie. The original version just flat SUCKS. The acting of Wayne sucks, and everyone but Andy Devine as Buck stunk it up (even John Carradine as McCoy, Mike Connors showed him how it's done in the 1966 version). There is nothing, I mean nothing, even remotely worth watching in the original, once was all I could stomach of it. The ending was gawd-awful; the Luke Plummer character was a sniveling coward. Keenan Wynn's Luke Plummer was sensational, and the ending in the 1966 version was light-years ahead of the 1939 version. All the actors and acting is infinitely better in this version. With the possible exceptions of McClintock, The Conqueror and The Green Berets, Stagecoach is hands-down the worst movie John Wayne ever made. Even the 1986 version is better than the 1939 one, and it sucks too.

Agree with a comment about another Edition of Stagecoach.....that with Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings etc. DON'T COMPARE this with the John Wayne movie....Just enjoy it on its own. Alex Cord is cool, Ann Margaret beautiful, Red Buttons and Bing Crosby fun..... I still use Red's lines "la la la la la la etc............." Keenan Wynn is great as usual....Even at that...let's compare a little..... This movie is IN COLOR....and it has great credit art by Norman Rockwell.... I bought the book....don't remember reading it..... maybe it is good..... BUT the book had the portraits of the main characters by Rockwell and the Stagecoach, as does the movie. Very cool. Jerry Goldsmith's music is quite nice and the song Stagecoach to Cheyenne (Pockriss and Vance) and the twangy jews harp..... memorable!Also...Remember, this is just on the verge of the Revolution....when the movies went akilter....the antihero came on etc. This is in the last tier of basic Nice Pleasant movies, when you knew who the good guys were and who the baddies were.... 1966. Italian spaghetti westerns were just being made this year, too. The good writing from the first movie ....the basic plot is still here and it holds together.... This group of people have to or need to go to Cheyenne, even though it could mean attack from Indians. Danger.Slim Pickens is Great as Buck, the Coach Driver and Van Heflin, the co-star of Shane, is fun to see in a western once more,too..... Enjoy!

I saw this version (1966) a few years ago and cannot find it available. I saw it on television. They continue to show the John Wayne version, which is good, but people want variety. Just because some people are so enthused with the Wayne , others should not be deprived of the 1966 movie. besides this version was in color. I owned a DVD of the Wayne version and at this point tired of it. The acting in my opinion is done very well and the characters they portray are very believable. I especially like Ann-Margret's character. and Slim pickens adds a bit of humor. The color and the western scenes are just beautiful. Let those of us who like the 1966 version have it, please. I cannot find it at Best Buy, Tower Records, or anywhere else. What's going on here? THAT'S ABOUT ALL that I have to say.