Night Passage

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Blu B It's Not Bad but it's very forgettable at the same time. The cinematography and musical score are both solid overall and easily the best parts of this. The acting isn't bad. Stewart is good and the best character but everyone else is forgettable or somewhat memorable. The Kid isn't bad as a villian but he isn't intimidating at all and feels dated. Same with the kid sidekick also. The love interests are very forgettable also and don't really end up adding much. Where this struggles a bit is the editing and pacing which are ok. This isn't even 90 minutes and it does drag at certain points. The main plot is very straight forward but it get layered by a brother plot twist, love interests, and who knows who has the money and it all feels a bit rushed somehow and unneeded. In the second half it loses focus on Stewart and focuses more on The Kid and side characters which aren't anywhere as interesting or good. This probably would've done better if it just would've stuck to staying on Stewart and having him protect the money in a straight adventure with the kid the whole way. There isn't anything broken about it but it unfortunately ends up being very unremarkable at times. Anyone who is a big fan of any actors in this or the director should give this a try. Most could skip it. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/06/24 Full Review Steve D Middle of the road by Stewart's standards. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/24 Full Review Audience Member You can always count on Jimmy Stewart. This was a good one James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, July 15, 2023. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Same old story of good and evil. A down on his luck railroad man is hired to help transport a payroll into a desperate town to pay the workers. A group of outlaws, that are tied to the railroad man, discover the transport is going to occur and try and rob the train. The railroad man hides the money well, but it frustrates the outlaws and they kidnap a woman the railroad man cares about during the heist attempt. The railroad man will need to try to find a way to both protect the funds and rescue the girl. "You wouldn't know how to shoot a man in the back." "I'll learn." James Neilson, director of Gentle Giant, Flare Up, Where Angels Go Trouble Follows, Return of the Gun Fighter, Summer Magic, Moon Pilot, and For the Defense, delivers Night Passage. The storyline for this picture is very well told. There are some cliché elements, but the dynamics between characters is very good and the acting is excellent. The cast includes James Stewart, Elaine Stewart, Jack Elam, Audie Murphy, and Paul Fix. "See what happens when you don't carry your brains in your feet?" I came across this on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and had to DVR this western classic. I am a huge James Stewart fan and he was a perfect blend of grit, tough, and honest in this picture (perfect for his presence). This is a nice addition to the western genre that may not be an all-time classic but is definitely worth a viewing. "He's not bad. He's just a fool." Grade: B Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Aside from the sibling angle and great character acting, this is about as forgettable as any James Stewart western could be. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a very underrated western, possibly because Anthony Mann called the script "trash" and walked off the set. His altercation with Jimmy Stewart was not the cause of this, but there was a disagreement as Stewart wanted Mann to stay. Mann accused Stewart of simply wanting to do a film where he could play his accordion. This made Stewart angry and the two never spoke again or made a film together. Mann's trademarks are visible at the beginning of the film and it looks as though Neilson who took his place, tried to direct in the same vein. Actually the script is very good. The photography is excellent and the acting is good too, especially from Audie Murphy whom Mann did not rate as an actor. As a story about two brothers it rates, in my opinion, higher than some others with a similar theme. This is partly because there is a rapport between Murphy and Stewart born out of mutual respect, and there is a deeper underlying theme that has to do with reconciliation. Not a facile reconciliation but a realistic one based on true brotherly love. It is a story of redemption and loyalty. Perhaps that is why Mann didn't like it. He was certainly right to say that it would not be understood. I don't think many have understood the deeper aspects of it. It needs repeated viewings. Had Mann remained the film might have been a classic. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Night Passage

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