Wagon Train
A long-running, episodic Western following a wagon train's journey westward, balancing frontier adventure with ensemble camaraderie and historical Americana.
The series initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later replaced upon his death by John McIntire, and Robert Horton as the scout, subsequently replaced by lookalike Robert Fuller a year after Horton had decided to leave the series. The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond, and harkens back to the early widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail starring John Wayne and featuring Bond in his first major screen appearance playing a supporting role. Horton's buckskin outfit as the scout in the first season of the television series resembles Wayne's, who also played the wagon train's scout in the earlier film.
Essence
Ensemble
Like Wagon Train
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Wagon Train
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Wagon Train, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Wagon Train, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Wagon Train, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
