Night Passage
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Movie Reviews of Night Passage
Movie Review: night passage
Summary: 5 Stars
The film took longer to get here than I thought but well worth the wait..good film and good quality....I would order through amazon again...thanks...
Movie Review: awsome
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best western because it stars Audi Murphy and James Stewart. I just loved it.Movie Review: Two REAL American Heroes and stunning scenery in this enjoyable A-Western
Summary: 4 Stars
NIGHT PASSAGE (1957) this should have been another classic collaboration for James Stewart and Anthony Mann, following their acclaimed work on five westerns from WINCHESTER 73 (1950) to THE MAN FROM LARAMIE (1955). But they sadly fell out at the pre-production stage. Mann who was scheduled to direct wasn't too happy with the Bordan Chase script, of a story by Norman A Fox. But Stewart was desperate to do it for several reasons not least that it gave him the opportunity to do a lot of accordion playing, an instrument that he had learnt to play as a youngster.
Whatever the rights or wrongs of it Stewart pressed on with the film despite every ones advice perhaps not least because he had a stubborn streak running through him like many of his western personas. The new first-time director was James Neilson and many of the cast included those seen in the aforementioned five westerns like Dan Duryea Jay C Flippen, Jack Elam, Robert J. Wilke and others. Also drafted in were Brandon de Wilde (SHANE), Olive Carey (THE SEARCHERS) and last but not least the boyish-looking 32 year-old Audie Murphy who played Stewart's younger brother known as the Utica Kid
The story is basically of an itinerant-musician and erstwhile railroad detective Grant McLaine (Stewart) who had been wrongly accused of an earlier robbery was given one final chance to redeem himself by rail boss Ben Kinball (Flippen) to get the long-overdue payroll up to the railhead, in between is a manic Whitey Harbin (Duryea) and his gang, plus the on-the-fringe Utica Kid (Murphy) trying to stop him.
Much of the film was shot at around 9000 feet The film was shot in the rarefied atmosphere about 90 minutes drive away from Durango Colorado at times 8000 to 9000 feet above sea level, this made for exhausting work for all involved. William H Daniels was the cinematographer and Clifford Stine was responsible for the Special camera work, I assume that this included the stunning photography following the train along the river and up into the mountains?
This DVD is in the original Technirama widescreen aspect and it certainly gives the film at times an almost 3D quality to it. Also included here is the original theatre trailer -- At the time of writing this film is nearly fifty years old and has survived the test of time probably better than many of its critics of the day gave it on its release. -- No. This isn't a Classic Mann Stewart Western, but is still well worth watching if for the splendid photography and to compare those two "REAL" WW2 American hero's Stewart and Murphy close up. Dan Duryea was probably the common denominators between the two stars named ahead of the title, as he had worked with both separately on several occasions.
Movie Review: Forced characterizations, almost no conviction
Summary: 4 Stars
Anthony Mann had directed five excellent Westerns with James Stewart, such as "WINCHESTER '73" and "THE NAKED SPUR". But after he read the script for "NIGHT PASSAGE", he thought that the story and characters were merely copies of his previous Westerns with Stewart, and hired James Neilson to direct. Unfortunately, Neilson focused too much on unconvincing characters, flat dialogue, and a confusing story. However, our story (what there is of it) is of Grant McLaine (Stewart) and his attempts to regain his state of grace in a railroad company after his brother Lee/The Utica Kid (Audie Murphy) robbed the train and Grant let him escape. Now, he has a new assignment, his last chance before they fire him. He must protect the company's money while the train travels through the area that is the territory of outlaw Whitey Harbin (Dan Duryea), who happens to have The Utica Kid as one of his gang members. Along the way, Stewart makes a particular enemy with Concho (Robert Wilke), and friends with Charlotte "Charlie" Drew (Dianne Foster) and Joey (Brandon De Wilde).
As promising as it all may seem, the film tries much more than necessary. Therefore, many characters are potentially useless, such as Miss Vittles (Olive Carey) and Verna Kimball (Elaine Stewart). Even the better actors, such as Stewart and Flippen, seem to be forced. None of the characters seem to have much heart or personality. The main story winds around and around, never leaving us with anything special to remember. However, the film does have its advantages, such as in the generous cast, the widescreen photography, the immense locations and scenery, some great action pieces, and last but not least, the dashed hopes of what might have been. I always have sympathy for films that mean well, but are not received kindly, such as this one. I can assure you that everyone involved wanted it to be a great Western, and it's a pity that it did not end up as one.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Theatrical Trailer
Also Recommended: "WINCHESTER '73" (1950), "BEND OF THE RIVER" (1952), "THE NAKED SPUR" (1953), "THE FAR COUNTRY" (1954), "THE MAN FROM LARAMIE" (1955)
THIS REVIEW IS DEDICATED TO ANYBODY, LIVING OR DEAD, INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF "NIGHT PASSAGE".
Movie Review: Night Passage
Summary: 4 Stars
Night Passage is a solid western starring James Stewart & directed by James Neilson. Grant McLaine (Stewart) is out of work & reduced to playing an accordion (Yes, that's him playing it) for tips. He's been out of work for five years since the railroad has fired him, the same one that he plays the accordion in the at the end-of-tracks camp. The railroad workers are about to quit because the payroll has been stolen three times in a row & they haven't been paid. McLaine is rehired by the railroad to get the payroll to the workers. He had been previously fired because he had let the Utica Kid get away by providing him with a horse & a head start. The truth is the Utica Kid (Audie Murphy) is McLaine's younger brother, Lee. The Utica Kid has hated his older brother since childhood which is his reason for being an outlaw.
The movie also has Brandon de Wilde (Shane) as the teen, Joey, who looks up to the Utica Kid. He knows he's no good but he sees him as a good man, mostly because of the rest of the gang Members. Whitey Hardin (Dan Duryea) is the gang leader who is constantly being needled & subtly challenged by the Utica Kid. Their character interplay is fun to watch & could've been expanded on.
Murphy's role as the Utica Kid is actually one of the best roles he ever had ,along with The Unforgiven (not the Eastwood movie). He's cast against type portraying the heavy. Murphy didn't venture into the "A" list often in his roles; when he did he was usually cast in a featured rather than starring role. Audie Murphy once said he made about 5 or 6 movies & did the same Western about 40 different times. Though he wasn't a great actor, his portrayal of the Utica Kid is more than adequate. It's James Stewart that flexes his acting muscles in this movie. There are a couple of instances in the movie where you can see he almost loses it, the anger almost driving him into a killing rage. Watch his body language & facial expression, it's subtle yet chilling.