Three Faces West (1940): cast, story & where to watch

1940 · Film · ★ 5.3

Three Faces West poster

Released in 1940, Three Faces West is a drama and romance film directed by Bernard Vorhaus, running about 79 minutes. “What barrier mars the path of their destiny...the fulfillment of their right to happiness?” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Viennese surgeon Dr. Braun and his daughter Leni come to a small town in North Dakota as refugees from Hitler. When the winds of the Dust Bowl threaten the town, John Phillips leads the townsfolk in moving to greener pastures in Oregon. He falls for Leni, but she is betrothed to the man who helped her and her father escape from the Third Reich. She must decide between the two men.

Who’s in it. Three Faces West stars John Wayne as John Phillips, Sigrid Gurie as Leni 'Lenchen' Braun, Charles Coburn as Dr. Karl Braun and Spencer Charters as Dr. 'Nunk' Atterbury, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.3/10, Three Faces West has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Three Faces West page.

If you liked it. Fans of Three Faces West tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Three Faces West (1940)?
In US, Three Faces West is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
Is Three Faces West worth watching?
Three Faces West holds an audience score of 5.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Three Faces West?
Three Faces West stars John Wayne, Sigrid Gurie, Charles Coburn, Spencer Charters and Helen MacKellar.
When was Three Faces West released?
Three Faces West was released in 1940, with a runtime of about 79 minutes.