Kansas Pacific (1953)With the Civil War about to begin, Southern saboteurs attack frontier railroad construction. Director:Ray NazarroWriter:Daniel B. Ullman (adapted from his play) |
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Kansas Pacific (1953)With the Civil War about to begin, Southern saboteurs attack frontier railroad construction. Director:Ray NazarroWriter:Daniel B. Ullman (adapted from his play) |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Sterling Hayden | ... |
Capt. John Nelson
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Eve Miller | ... |
Barbara Bruce
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| Barton MacLane | ... |
Cal Bruce
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Harry Shannon | ... |
Smokestack, Train Engineer
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Tom Fadden | ... |
Gus Gustavson, Train Fireman
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Reed Hadley | ... |
Bill Quantrill
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| Douglas Fowley | ... |
Max Janus
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Robert Keys | ... |
Lt. Sam Stanton
(as Bob Keys)
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Irving Bacon | ... |
Telegrapher Casey
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Myron Healey | ... |
Morey
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| James Griffith | ... |
Joe Farley - Railroad Guard
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| Clayton Moore | ... |
Henchman Stone
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Jonathan Hale | ... |
Railroad President Sherman Johnson
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Just before the Civil War (but after the South has seceded), Southern saboteurs try to prevent railroad construction from crossing Kansas to the frontier; army captain Nelson is sent out to oppose them. As the tracks push westward, Nelson must contend with increasingly violent sabotage, while trying to romance the foreman's pretty daughter Barbara. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
"Kansas Pacific" is a dramatization of one of the types of confrontations that took place in the West during the Civil War. In an area where the residents had divided loyalties, a group of Southern sympathizers wants to prevent the completion of a railroad being built by the Union, so the Union Army sends in experts and eventually backs them up with strength. It's a decent Western, and it is also interesting as a fictional depiction of a little-known aspect of the Civil War era.
The story is straightforward, and the script and acting are fairly routine, though there are some familiar faces in the cast such as Sterling Hayden, Barton MacLane, and Clayton Moore.
The action sequences, especially towards the end, are done well and are the main reason to watch the movie. The period setting is convincing, the special effects during the battles are realistic and exciting, and there is also a decent musical score.
There should be plenty in "Kansas Pacific" for any Western fan to enjoy it, and you might also give it a try if you enjoy historical-based fiction.