Gold?

The Train Robbers (1973)

John Wayne plays his usual character in this western from director Burt Kennedy who had a number of collaborations with Wayne's production company. A widow wants to clear her husband's name by returning the gold he stole and hid to the railway company and John Wayne and friends are helping her for the reward (as well as “something to do”).

With John Wayne you know what you are getting and this is another solid if not especially good entry into his large body of work. There are some really nice sections of scenery, particularly as a back drop the to the travelling portions, which include a train buried upside down in the desert. The light hearted tone of the film replaces any serious depth and there is an eventual explanation as to why a nice young widow would have any interest in the ageing John Wayne which clears up the slightly unbelievable portion of the story.

3/5 the usual Wayne fare.