Final Trailer for ‘Last Train to Fortune’ Western w/ Malcolm McDowell
by Alex Billington
October 21, 2026
Source: YouTube
“For a teacher – you got a lot to learn, old man.” Catch the last departure to view the official trailer for an indie film titled Last Train to Fortune, a western decades in the making, from filmmaker Adam Rifkin. Playing in theaters now and it’s on VOD soon. The western comedy follows Cecil Peachtree, a schoolteacher, and Dooley, an outlaw, as they strike a deal and develop an odd friendship along the road to Fortune after having to deal with gunfights, jailbreaks and saloon gals on the way. Starring Malcolm McDowell, James Paxton, Mary Steenburgen, Bernadette Peters, Laura Marano. Last Train to Fortune was originally written by Michele Rifkin, 37 years ago, and was supposed to star the late Bill Paxton in the role of Dooley opposite McDowell; Lindsay Anderson was set to direct, but passed away before filming. After Bill Paxton passed away, they started working with Bill’s actor son James Paxton, who eventually agreed to take on the role instead. Now after all this time it’s finally done and ready to watch. “Although [it’s] is set in the 1870s, its message could not be more urgent or relevant today. At a time when books are being banned across the country and education itself is increasingly under attack, the film reaffirms a timeless truth: education sets us free.” That is the gosh darn truth for sure. It looks mildly amusing but nothing more than that. Have fun.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Adam Rifkin’s film Last Train to Fortune, from YouTube:
Is the book mightier than the gun? Set within the backdrop of the American frontier, Last Train to Fortune follows uptight, schoolteacher Cecil Peachtree (Malcolm McDowell) and fearsome, outlaw Jedidiah Dooley (James Paxton), unlikely companions who embark on a perilous journey to the town of Fortune, where Peachtree has been hired as the new Schoolmaster. Last Train to Fortune is directed by American writer / filmmaker Adam Rifkin, director of the films Tale of Two Sisters, The Dark Backward, The Nutt House, The Chase, Denial, Welcome to Hollywood, Detroit Rock City, Night at the Golden Eagle, Without Charlie, Homo Erectus, Look, Shooting the Warwicks, Director’s Cut, The Last Movie Star, Airports previously. The screenplay is written by Michelle Rifkin – originally written 37 years ago. Produced by John Farrier, Michael P.J. Gerstein, James Paxton, Adam Rifkin, Carl Steen, Matt Williams, Brad Wyman. This initially premiered at the 2025 Ojai Film Festival last year. Rifkin’s Last Train to Fortune western already debuted in theaters starting September 18th, 2026 – it’s now available to watch in theaters + on VOD soon. Look any good?
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