Three Faces West

• Directed by Bernard Vorhaus
• July 3, 1940

Austrian refugees-a doctor and his daughter-head to Dust Bowl America where they join the town in their plans to relocate and the daughter falls for the town’s leader.

While as a film Three Faces West is about the trials and tribulations of Everytown-In-The-Dust-Bowl USA it is mostly a melodramatic romance between John Phillips (John Wayne) and refugee Leni Braun (Sigrid Gurie) who is the daughter of Dr. Karl Braun (Charles Coburn). Fleeing Austria and the Nazis, both have arrived in this most rural of rural towns because they have no doctor. It was not exactly uncommon at one point in American history based on certain factors that very rural areas were largely devoid of medical care and getting to any when necessary was a bit of an effort.

Leni is torn between two men, the present John and the memory of her presumed dead love. But is anybody better than the strong and upstanding John Wayne ever? No. Especially when the competition turns out to be an actual Nazi.

The romance between John and Leni makes anything displayed in Star Wars look complex. Wayne and the film is at their best when Wayne is being the moral and paternal leader as well as taking it upon himself to save the day. Then again that was what he excelled at in his films. In the short runtime they favored focusing on the part played by the then rising star rather than the relationship which could have given this a strong emotional core.

Three Faces West was an anti-Nazi film designed to avoid the criticism from Nazi sympathizers of other anti-Nazi films from the time which were said to be propaganda or glorifying war. Along with the romance, it celebrates the pioneer spirit in this country along with a never say die attitude. It also contrasts that with the Nazi ideology/evils of Nazism. Yet what it does is not so in-your-face that it is beating you senseless. It crafts itself as much more of a morality tale by contrasting Germany and the US.

As a bit of an ode to the never say die or the never give up attitude of the US, the town uproots itself because there is just nothing left and one could draw a few parallels to the Exodus as John leads his people to a new land. There is doubting and dissent caused by a smooth-talking man who tries to lead them down an easy yet ultimately destructive and empty path. The people turn away briefly from the man whose way is harder even though it’s ultimately rewarding and more stable.

Despite 79 minutes Three Faces West packs plenty in. Maybe a little too much since it neglects the romance. The pacing of the film is fast but it manages to avoid a sensation of careening to the finale. While John Wayne is the star he’s not as heavily featured here as what he would be in later films. This was trying to speak on concerns of the day so Leni and her father get as much play as John.

If there is anything against this it is how short the movie is. It needed more time to dig deeper into the assorted elements of the film. The romance between Leni and John. Dr. Braun and Leni wishing to leave the town at first and then deciding to stay. The decision to uproot and the trials that come with the journey. Not bad but weaker than it could have been.

Three Faces West is an enjoyable John Wayne romantic film. Light on excitement but heavy on drama. It’s just a good watch for Wayne fans.