Product Description

A former railroad man guards a payroll shipment and his younger brothers gang robs it. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 05/06/2003 Starring: James Stewart Dianne Foster Run time: 90 minutes Rating: Nr Director: James Neilson

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13453 in DVD
• Brand: Universal Studios
• Released on: 2003-05-06
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Very good but unjustly-overlooked western.
Jimmy Stewart served in World War II in the dangerous role of a bomber pilot, and the experience clearly toughened the image he portrayed in the series of westerns he made after the war. Night Passage is a very good western and the role Stewart portrays is far tougher than the amiable character he played in the pre-war comedic western Destry Rides Again. Another thing I like about Night Passage is that it features a fine performance, as Stewart's outlaw brother, by Audy Murphie -- WW II's most decorated soldier, and a much better actor than the B movies he most often appeared in gave him a chance to show. Still another interesting aspect of Night Passage is a significant role for Brandon de Wilde -- a fine young actor who, regrettably, is all but forgotten except for his role as the boy Joey in Shane. Then there's Dan Duryea in an over-the-top performance as the ruthless leader of a band of train robbers. For some reason Night Passage has never achieved the recognition it's script, cast, and performances deserve. I hope its release on DVD will help cure this oversight. If you like westerns, please give Night Passage a try.

Solid Stewart Western Holds Up Nicely
Night Passage was the movie that ended the partnership of actor James Stewart and director Anthony Mann. Their classic Westerns, such as Winchester '73, The Man From Laramie, and of course, The Naked Spur, were all classic Westerns with gritty,edgy performances by Stewart.

But Stewart and Mann parted ways on this script involving a disgraced railroad detective who tries to redeem himself by capturing a group of train robbers. Maybe it was the fact that Stewart would sing and play the accordion in the film. Maybe it was the fact that Dan Duryea's character was suspiciously like his role in Winchester '73.

At any rate, this film is still a treat and an delight. Stewart plays a character very much like his Mann films, and Audie Murphy gives one of his better performances as the Utica Kid, one of Duryea's gang member, and someone who shares a secret with Stewart. And Duryea plays his part with gusto.

Western fans of the Mann/Stewart films should enjoy this film, regardless of the similarities, or even the differences between those films and Night Passage.

NOT THE USUAL BACON AND BEANS WESTERN FARE
When it comes to westerns we like to think of stars like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Tom Selleck (of late). But Jimmy Stewart is a name that should absolutely come to mind every time. Stewart sits his horse well, is believable in hat, boots and spurs, and seems more believable as the consummate good guy of the west.

NIGHT PASSAGE, the story of a shamed railroad troubleshooter who is out to redeem his name and his younger brother who has gone bad (Audie Murphy), showcases Stewart's considerable acting abilities very well.

And it's a musical western to boot! With toe-tappers like "You Can't Get Far Without a Railroad" and "Follow the River" both sung by none other than Jimmy Stewart, and a striking soundtrack that beautifully complements the mountains and skies that form the backdrop for this one and you've got nothing short of a very enjoyable western.

No, this isn't a western of the predictable genre but it's a breath of fresh air when all you've had is the bacon and beans set for your last ten western viewings. You want John Wayne then watch John Wayne. But don't miss this Jimmy Stewart classic.