Filmed on location in Oregon and Arizona using Panavision cameras equipped with DeLuxe color film, "The Way West" retold the story of pioneers who crossed the Midwest to reach the new territory of Oregon in the mid-1840s. The film was directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, an established and well-respect Western director who had done "McLintock!" with John Wayne, "Shenandoah" and "The Rare Breed", both with James Stewart, "The Ballad of Josie" with Doris Day and Peter Graves, and "Gun the Man Down" with James Arness. He had also directed a number of Western television episodes on "Have Gun – Will Travel" with Richard Boone, "Gunsmoke" with James Arness, "Rawhide" with Clint Eastwood and "Gunslinger" with Tony Young. The cinematographer on "The Way West" was equally qualified. William H. Clothier was a two-time Oscar nominee for Westerns. He had worked on "Stagecoach", "The Rare Breed", "Shenandoah", "Cheyenne Autumn", "McLintock!", "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", "The Comancheros", "The Alamo", "The Horse Soldiers", "Gun the Man Down" and "Seven Men from Now". The movie was topped by Bronislau Kaper's soundtrack, a three-time Academy Award nominated composer. But even with all the star-power that Hecht had employed over the years, the film turned out to be a box-office disappointment.