The Covered Wagon (1923) – A Silent Epic of Pioneer Struggles

“The Covered Wagon” is a 1923 American silent Western film directed by James Cruze, based on Emerson Hough’s 1922 novel. The film follows two wagon caravans that unite in Kansas and embark on a perilous journey westward to Oregon. Along the way, the pioneers endure harsh desert heat, mountain snow, hunger, and attacks from Native American tribes. The story also features a dramatic love triangle between Will Banion, Molly Wingate, and the antagonistic Sam Woodhull. The film was a major success and is considered one of the earliest epic Westerns, influencing later films in the genre.

Credits:
Director: James Cruze
Producer: Jesse L. Lasky
Starring: J. Warren Kerrigan, Lois Wilson, Alan Hale, Ernest Torrence
Screenplay: Jack Cunningham
Cinematography: Karl Brown

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