TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Night Passage [1957]
![Night Passage [1957]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vhGkOf8GL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £9.99
Our Price: £4.25 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Thanks to ultracrisp Technirama photography of great mountainside and river gorge locations in Colorado, Night Passage is often terrific to look at; you can almost feel the autumn sun and brisk air. This should have been another classic Western pairing James Stewart with director Anthony Mann. But after choosing the locations, cast, and crew, and directing the precredit sequence, Mann abruptly resigned. He found Borden Chase's screenplay an "incoherent" rehash of relationships and setups from their previous films, nor was he encouraged by Stewart's determination to play the accordion and sing. Stewart's an ex-railroad cop who became a pariah by letting a prisoner--Audie Murphy's "The Utica Kid"--escape. The two cross paths again in a ghost town where Dan Duryea, doing a zany version of his loony outlaw from Winchester '73, has holed up with his gang. Replacement director James Neilson, a newcomer destined for bland Disney servitude, fosters a lot of flatfooted standing-around. --Richard T. Jameson
Unsung western
Review date: 2008-09-24 Rating: 8 out of 10
A western deserving of a review. The director is no Anthony Mann who collaborated with good effect with James Stewart in a series of fine westerns.In fact Mann who originally started the directorial duties fell out with Stewart his star and was replaced by James Neilson better known for Disney features. Neilson is no Anthony Mann and Audie Murphy is not the greatest actor who ever lived. So why do I like this unheralded film so much. I had to wait a long time before it came out on DVD but it was worth the wait. It has a feelgood factor. James Stewart plays the good brother and Murphy his young brother gone bad. Stewart used the good brother bad brother theme with Dean Martin in the 1968 film Bandolero with poorer results. Stewart as always knows how to play the good guy struggling in adversity. No one did sincerity better. The scene where Stewart plays his accordion and sings is worth buying the DVD for in its own right. The great scene where Stewart is thrown off the train by a heavy is great. Dan Duryea gives a great performance without really trying as the likeable but psychopathic "Whitey". The wonderful Colorado scenery never filmed better in vibrant colour. All bring a rich tapestry to the film. And a slam bang good wins out over evil ending. I have watched many westerns and have a fair collection. No this is not a classic in the vein of The Wild Bunch or Rio Bravo but it is an entertaining likeable edition to my collection. Oh,and underrated
Similar Products
- The Far Country [1955]
- No Name On The Bullet
- The Duel At Silver Creek [1952]
- Broken Arrow [1950]
- Bend Of The River [1952]
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Reiko Dan
Elaine Stewart
James Stewart
Audie Murphy
Creators:
James Stewart (Primary Contributor)
Audie Murphy (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582490541
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-06-04
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1957
Language: English (Original Language)