Michael Witney

This saga of the wagon-train journey of a group of Western pioneers from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon along the historic Oregon Trail (from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by A.B. Guthrie, Jr.) is known for its breathtaking photography of the Western expanse (by William H. Clothier). Kirk Douglas portrays a widowed senator who leads the wagon train, and Robert Mitchum plays the troubled trail scout--a man plagued by poor eyesight. The trials of the trail include Indian attacks and the inevitable human conflicts of men and women who are living in close quarters in a volatile, tense and dangerous atmosphere. Among the members of the party: a highly irascible and colorful Richard Widmark, and Sally Field in her first film role.

Julie Andrews made a bid to change her squeaky clean image with this elaborately mounted WWI musical. Lili Smith (Andrews) is a popular British music hall singer who is regarded as a femme fatale and has been known to throw a bit of striptease into her act. However, Lili has a secret: she's actually a German spy, and the uncle she dotes upon is really Von Ruger (Jeremy Kemp), a fellow espionage agent and her contact for the Huns. In hopes of gaining valuable information, Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Maj. William Larrabee (Rock Hudson), a top American pilot. However, Lili soon discovers that she's falling in love with Larrabee and can't find the courage to betray him; Larrabee discovers Lili's secret, but he refuses to turn her in.

Set during WWI, this movie is a cute spin on the Mata Hari legend.

In 1843 a former U.S. senator leads a wagon train of settlers to Oregon, but his megalomania leads to growing dissatisfaction with his leadership.