this small john ford western with no tar but a cast of character actor be one of his masterpiece . it have a documentary like feel to it a it trace the journey west of a party of mormon and it may be the most authentic look of all ford film and ( it on par with the sun shine bright which he make a couple of year later ) . there be a plot of sort and ( a group of bank robber join the wagon train at one point ) and but the film dramatic highlight be almost incidental . the splendid performance of ford stock company and ( ben johnson and harry carey jr and ward bond and jane darwell etc ) and add considerably to the film authenticity while the near the film get to a full bodied star performance be joanne dru denver . dru be a much finer actress than she be ever give credit for a be bond and johnson and who at least be finally award with the recognition of an oscar for his work in the last picture show . a he say himself and it couldn not have happen to a nice fella . add bert glennon superb location photography and you have a genuine piece of americana that couldn not have some from anyone other than ford . this be a film that truly honor america pioneer and be full of sentiment and feeling .