Northwest Passage (1940)

Many people who speculate that a sequel to this movie was never made because of the animosity between the director and Spencer Tracy ought to also read author Kenneth Roberts' comments about it. He was horrified at the movie. He probably refused to release the rights to Book II because of his disgust. I have come to like the movie, but when I first saw it, I crashed in disappointment.Perhaps the greatest character in historical fiction, Cap Huff, is reduced to a nondescript tavern keeper. I dragged a friend to see this movie, because I had read the book 10 times, and told him what to expect. Within minutes, I was apologizing to him.The romance between Langdon Towne and Elizebeth Browne in the book was tortuous. She was a manipulative shrew, and, in real life, married Rogers! Towne was grateful that Rogers has saved him from her.It is Sgt. Ogden who gets shot through the abdomen in the book (and in real life --- Roberts' novels were always amazing in their detailed research), but it is Towne who gets shot in the movie. Hunk Marriner was mortally wounded in the gunpowder explosion (accurately portrayed in the movie), but Brennan's terrific portrayal has a different destiny for Hunk.Go easy on "old men" being with the Rangers. They WERE in the Rangers. They were tough as Brazil nuts in those days, wiry and durable. Jesse Beacham is well done in the movie.At times, the movie is "spot-on" with the book, but as noted above, sometimes not. It was all too much for Kenneth Roberts. In the end, his disdain for Hollywood may be the real reason a sequel was never made.

Fine actors in the service of a sad movie. Frontier warfare as imagined by an 8-year-old. Where to start? Colonial troops who carefully refrain from butchering women and children? A colonial America that had no Africans, even in Indian settlements where many lived as free men? Swamps that run for 150 miles along Lake Champlain? Hundreds of natives who run for it whenever confronted by ten Englishmen? Spencer Tracy's girdle?There is one small, mitigating incident that keeps this from being "1 Star" flick: the young, English woman who despises her rescuer. It never occurs to Rogers that this woman might actually prefer to live in a society that grants women real political and personal power.War has become much more real since "Northwest Passage", both on the screen and off. The movies have grown up and I'm glad they did.

Spencer Tracy (as Major Rogers) gets Robert Young (as Langdon) and Walter Brennan (as Hunk) drunk, so they'll become members of his Colonial American Rangers, and head for the "Northwest Passage" of the title. Along the way, they kill many Indians (aka Native Americans).The photography is the film's main attraction. This must have seemed like a grand classic when released in 1940; however, the epic quality has been equaled many times, and this film doesn't have enough other qualities to maintain classic status. Mr. Young's painting and Mr. Brennan's teeth are not characterization traits to last through the ages. Mr. Tracy performs well, as usual; however, his Rangers look a little old, as a whole, to be making this journey.The most exciting scenes are when the Rangers burn an Indian village, and wipe out its inhabitants. Watch for it in the middle of the film, not the end. Be warned, though - it's a visceral slaughter. Addison Richards (as Ranger Crofton) is particularly sadistic; later, he gets his turn... ***** Northwest Passage (2/20/40) King Vidor ~ Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Walter Brennan, Ruth Hussey

Roger's Rangers became the inspiration for the formation of the modern Army's Rangers units.Revived in World War II to accomplish missions that no one in their right-mind would even consider, they lead the way in numerous extremely hazardous operations. Probably the most famous was the assault up the sheer cliff faces of Pont du Hoc during the invasion of Festung Europe on June 6th 1944. They took 50% casualties in that operation.This movie, NORTHWEST PASSAGE, depicts the ill-fated operation by the first American Rangers. It demonstrates their ingenuity, determination and fortitude in the face of every possible adversity one can expect in time of war.I went through the Army's Ranger Course in 1980. It was a demanding year of my life and I have to admit, after seeing this movie, quite by accident several years later, I was reminded of everything that the training regime put me through. I was especially impressed with how Roger's men had to suffer from the deprivations of no logistical support to provide subsistence. I swear....it was a sorry water moccasin (snake) that crossed my patrol's path in Florida. You'd hear the word, whispered, "Snake." Followed immediately by the sound of several machetes being pulled from sheaths and a short 'splash'.When we finished the last operation, the night assault on Santa Rosa Island, we were as jubilant as Roger's men were when they were 'relieved' by the British column. And we celebrated, about the same way....FOOOOOoooOD!