The Great American West (1973)

After several feature-length documentaries (Elvis: That's The Way It Is, Soul to Soul), filmmaker Denis Sanders returned to the short-length form with The Great American West. This 55-minute film was initially a TV special, titled The Great American West of John Ford. The life story of the fabled film director is depicted via interview sequences with Ford, and lengthy clips from such classics as Stagecoach, My Darling Clementine, the "Cavalry Trilogy", The Searchers and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Sharing hosting duties are Ford collaborator Henry Fonda, James Stewart, and, of course, John Wayne. The Great American West of John Ford was first telecast December 5, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi