Northwest Passage (1940)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(492 ratings)

Kenneth Roberts' fact-based novel Northwest Passage would seem too raw and explicit a book to be considered for an MGM film adaptation-much less one in Technicolor. Amazingly, MGM retained many of the grim episodes from the Roberts' novel, though - thanks to the Hays Code - most are discussed rather… More Kenneth Roberts' fact-based novel Northwest Passage would seem too raw and explicit a book to be considered for an MGM film adaptation-much less one in Technicolor. Amazingly, MGM retained many of the grim episodes from the Roberts' novel, though - thanks to the Hays Code - most are discussed rather than shown. The film is set in 1759, when the headstrong and gifted young artist Langdon Towne (Robert Young) is expelled from Harvard much to the chagrin of his parents and his fiancee, Elizabeth Browne (Ruth Hussey). Towne and his tough-as-nails sidekick, Hunk Marriner (Walter Brennan) get soused one night in a pub and - while intoxicated - viciously insult Elizabeth's father, Rev. Browne (Louis Hector). The two men are nearly arraigned for the incident, but escape just in time and ultimately wind up at the camp of famed Indian hunter Major Robert Rogers (Spencer Tracy). Rogers then invites Towne to join his troupe as a cartographer, and suggests that Marriner tag along. Together, the hundreds of Indian fighters under Rogers's aegis team up and chart their way through the wilderness, headed straight for St. Francis, the base of the French-supported Abenaki tribe, notorious for bloodily wiping out British-controlled colonies, after which they will forge the titular 'northwest passage' to the Pacific. Along the route, the boys counter such obstacles as traitorous Native American guides and exploding gunpowder. Metro Goldwyn-Mayer originally slated this production for Tracy, Wallace Beery, Robert Taylor and Franchot Tone, but only Tracy signed on; the studio reeled in Brennan and Young as last-minute additions, to support Tracy's lead. Northwest Passage marked Vidor's first Technicolor film. William V. Skall and Sidney Wagner received Oscar nominations for their outstanding cinematographic work on the film. Nineteen years after its premiere, Northwest Passage later became an NBC TV series between 1959-60, starring Keith Larsen in the Tracy role, Buddy "Jed Clampett" Ebsen in the Brennan role, and Don Burnett in the Young role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: King Vidor
Written By: Laurence Stallings
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 23, 1940 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A rousing adventure story of epic proportions.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Surprisingly gritty, realistic MGM version of early pioneers led by Spencer Tracy's Rogers.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Beautiful photograpy and robust performances.

Cast

            Spencer Tracy as Maj. Robert Rogers

            Robert Young as Langdon Towne

            Walter Brennan as Hunk Marriner

            Ruth Hussey as Elizabeth Browne

            Nat Pendleton as Capt. Huff

            Louis Hector as Rev. Browne

            Robert H. Barrat as Humphrey Towne

            Lumsden Hare as Lord Amherst

            Isabel Jewell as Jennie Coit

            Douglas Walton as Lt. Avery

            Addison Richards as Lt. Crofton

            Hugh Sothern as Jesse Beacham

            Regis Toomey as Webster

            Montagu Love as Wiseman Clagett

            Lester Matthews as Sam Livermore

            Truman Bradley as Capt. Ogden

            Arthur Ayleswofth as Flint Innkeeper

            Don Castle as Richard Towne

            Rychard Cramer as Sheriff Packer

            George Eldredge as McMullen

            Verna Felton as Mrs. Towne

            Edward Gargan as Capt. Butterfield

            Gibson Gowland as MacPherson

            Denis Green as Capt. Williams

            Frank S. Hagney as Capt. Grant

            Gwendolen Logan as Mrs. Browne

            Tom London
            
            Peter George Lynn as Turner

            Donald MacBride as Sgt. McNott

            Helen MacKellar as Sarah Hadden

            Addie McPhail as Jane Browne

            John Merton as Lt. Dunbar

            Ferdinand Munier as Stoodley

            Ted Oliver as Farrington

            Eddie Parker as Ranger

            Robert St. Angelo as Solomon

            Ray Teal as Bradley McNeil

            Hank Worden as Ranger

            Frederic Worlock as Sir William Johnson

            Kent Rogers as Odiorne Towne

            Rand Brooks as Eben Towne
See full cast