WATCH NOW
Kansas Pacific Allied Artists, 1953. Sterling Hayden, Eve Miller, Barton MacLane, Harry Shannon, Tom Fadden, Reed Hadley. Directed by Ray Nazarro.
Kansas Pacific is a Western movie that, while unremarkable, is still easy to watch. It is set in Kansas on the verge of the American Civil War. The always active Ray Nazarro, who directed The Black Dakotas, stars Sterling Hayden in the role of a U.S. Army engineer, Captain John Nelson. His mission is to ensure the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, which the Army plans to use to carry troops to the Kansas Pacific West, is completed in a safe and timely manner.
Nelson goes to Kansas to help Cal Bruce (Barton MacLane) build the railroad. Bruce’s daughter, Barbara, is owned by Eve Miller, who is also on her father’s ranch. She is worried that Nelson will come and attempt to take what is hers. Furthermore, she wishes that her father would abandon his work and return to the East. There is indeed friction between Barbara Bruce (Miller) and Capt. Nelson (Sterling) that, in the end, leads to affection.
Leading the charge is Confederate supporter William Quintrill with his team of amateur hoodlums. One of them, known as stone, is played by Clayton Moore popularly known as The Lone Ranger. The portrayal of the Confederates as over-the-top violent men ready to commence war against the construction of the railroad sheds away any chance of nuance.
Hayden manages to blend both elements of warm-hearted and roughness perfectly in this situation. He deeply desires Barbara Bruce’s admiration but simultaneously means business. The presence of a railroad excites him and he is determined to do whatever it takes to build one even if it means friction with her.
Even though it’s largely forgettable, Kansas Pacific isn’t exactly known for its witty commentary and instead captures the high level action from its audience. Most of the action within the movie however is very well done and includes some explosive action. The explosive action includes artillery too. In the opening of the movie, tension is built as Captain Nelson meets Quantrill at the saloon.
Kansas Pacific is a typical, run of the mill Western, with Hayden’s and MacLane’s performances coming in as average. The acting may not be the greatest but the historical context is slightly more intriguing. Kansas before the Civil War is a fertile ground for writers and filmmakers as it is different from the traditional overused narrative of a Confederate soldier returning home from the war.
In conclusion, the film’s not bad. It’s simply less interesting than it could have been.
To watch more movies like Kansas Pacific (1953) visit 123Movies.
Also Watch for more movies like:
