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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Northwest Passage - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 1940 and running 126 minutes,a olde but goode. I always knew there should be a sequel but alas was not to be.Historical dramas have always been a fav of mine and the time of the French and Indian wars classic of "last of the mohegans"is the only story better than this.Hey military folks out there,is this were the"rangers"come from?
I took 1/2 star off because the title is wacked without a sequel.Just a passing reference to the mythical passage is made while the war is the real theme.Below is a review from IMDB and below the pix is a trailer URL.Let me add Langdon becomes a real man and Major Rodgers IS the man.Only Patton came across as a greater leader in films I've seen.Enjoy

Northwest Passage is based on a novel of the same name by Kenneth Roberts, in fact it is an adaptation of its first part The Roger's Rangers, the second part was also originally planned to be filmed by King Vidor, but MGM dropped the project fearing the costs involved. As a consequence only the first part of the novel was brought to the screen where passage through the northwest never actually happens but only is talked about.
The story is centered on Major Robert Rogers (Spencer Tracy) and his rangers who take a dangerous and adventurous journey through the territory controlled by the Indians and the French troops in 18th century America in order to destroy a hostile Indian village from where English settlements are constantly being attacked.
Right in the beginning the rangers are joined by right out of Harvard idealistic young cartographer Langdon Towne (Robert Young) who is dreaming of becoming a great painter `like Velasquez or Rubens' and is enthusiastic about the journey because of possibility it offers to paint portraits of Indians and landscapes in contrast with the other rangers who are mainly driven by yearning of revenge for relatives murdered during Indian raids.
Northwest Passage is possibly the best and the most visually impressive King Vidor's adventure film. Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes shown here certainly stand out as the most wonderful even among King Vidor's work who was well known for beautiful Technicolor exteriors in his movies. A beautiful film, definitely worth watching. 8/10 by Ilya Mauter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arnQTAHKBI8

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